Page 59 of Big Island Neighbors
“Aw, kiddo.” Emma reached out and tried to fold the towel back. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m never coming out!”
“There’spokeout here.”
“I hatepoke!”
“That’s not what you said last week.”
“Well I do!”
She sighed and slumped backwards in her chair. “Okay, how about this? I’ll build a fire, and if you ever do decide to come out, it’ll be nice and toasty out here.”
“Never. I’m staying here forever.”
“That’s too bad. We’re going to roast some marshmallows later.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Okay. Maybe for marshmallows.”
“Dinner first,” she reminded him.
“Fine!”
She was still working on getting a fire going in the nearest pit when Kekoa walked over. ‘Io was behind him, looking down at the ground and dragging his feet.
“Where’s Kai?” asked Kekoa. “My son has something to say to him.”
Emma gestured to the vaguely Kai-shaped beach towel that occupied one of the chairs.
“Aloha, brah.” Kekoa walked over and put his hand gently on Kai’s head. “You awake in there?”
“No.”
“Come out a minute. ‘Io’s got something to say to you.”
Reluctantly, Kai peeked out of the towel.
“Stand up, cuz. Come on. Man to man.”
Holding the colorful beach towel around his shoulders like a royal robe, Kai stood to face his cousin.
“‘Io?” Kekoa prompted.
“What?” The little boy’s voice was surly.
He was less than two years older than Kai, but kids grew up quickly in public schools - and often in the wrong direction. The drastic difference between the kids she had come to know as a teacher and the homeschooled kids that she had met over the years was the main reason that she had chosen to homeschool her own son. She had hoped to spare him from exactly this sort of bullying. At least he didn’t have to endure it on a daily basis.
“‘Iolani!” Kekoa scowled at his son. “You apologize to your cousin.Ho’oponopono.”
“I’m sorry,” ‘Io muttered, kicking at the ground.
“No.” His father towered over him, stern. “You look him in the eye.”
He looked Kai in the face and gritted out the next line of the traditional apology. “Please forgive me.”
“Kai?” Kekoa asked when he didn’t reply. Kai frowned in confusion. “Do you forgive him?”
“Sure.” He shrugged. “Okay.”
