Page 30 of Big Island Sunrise
Lani looked over her shoulder and saw Kai climbing out of the car. The puppy crept closer, tail wagging in a blur, but he was too scared to take the food out of Kai’s hand.
She helped ‘Olena set up the day’s science experiment slash art project. There was a baking sheet for each kid, plus watercolor paper and vinegar that they mixed with dye. By the time everything was set up, the clouds had burned off and the kids were splashing in the lagoon.
“Want me to round them up?” Lani asked.
“No rush,” ‘Olena said. “We can do it after lunch.”
“Okay. I should head out soon. I’m just going to say goodbye to Rory.”
Her daughter was playing happily with her cousins, but she ran over as soon as she saw Lani split off from the other moms.
“I want a snack!”
“Auntie ‘Olena has the snacks.” Lani crouched down and opened her arms for a hug. “I need to head to work soon.”
“I won’t let you go.” Rory put her head under the hem of Lani’s t-shirt, trying to crawl in there with her.
“You have so much fun with Auntie ‘Olena and your cousins,” Lani coaxed. She fixed her shirt and pulled Rory into her arms.
“Only when you’re there.”
“Baby, I have to go to work.”
“I can go to work with you. I’m a good helper.”
“You are. You’re such a good helper. But I have to do this by myself.”
“No. I won’t let you.”
“You’re doing a science experiment today.”
Rory curled more tightly into her. “I hate science.”
“That’s a strong word,” Lani told her.
“I don’t care. I’m not letting you leave.”
Lani sighed and sat down on a cold concrete bench, holding Rory on her lap. She was getting taller by the minute, a bundle of limbs. So big and still so little.
She couldn’t have asked for a more idyllic childcare situation, but leaving her here was still so hard. Being away from her at all went against her every instinct, and trying to reassure her through that felt impossible. She was sure that Rory could feel her anxiety, and that just made it worse.
“I can stay for ten more minutes, but then I really need to go. And tomorrow I’m staying all day, remember? We’ll all make a big, big chalk art together.”
Rory sniffed. “Can we make a rainbow?”
“Definitely we can make a rainbow.” Lani looked up and saw Lulu’s golden-haired friend running down from the parking lot. “Look, here comes Olivia.”
“Who?”
“She gave you the flower, remember? For painting?”
“Oh yeah.” She sat up a bit straighter, allowing a bare inch of air to come between her and her mother. “She’s really nice.”
“Sheisnice.”
“Hi Olivia!”
“Hi Rory! Look at my shoes!” Olivia jumped, and the sides of the soles flashed rainbow colors.
