Page 75 of Big Island Neighbors
“A room at the community center?” Lani asked.
“A room for the co-op,” she clarified. “So that we can have a home base, a classroom for rainy days like this one.”
“‘Olena, that’s amazing.”
“We’ll still do beach days, but now we won’t have to crowd under those blue roofs when it’s storming outside. And a dedicated space means more room for supplies, more possibilities for activities. Even the days that we’re there, we can be outside most of the day. The park there is so big.”
“It’ll be great,” Lani agreed.
“New families are joining all the time, and the co-op is finally making enough money to support me and the girls. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been in the black for a long time, but it wasn’t making near enough money to pay rent. A friend of my mom’s is giving us a good deal on this two bedroom place. No yard to speak of, but we have the park basically next door.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.” ‘Olena stood up and called out over the railing, “Mateo, you put that chicken down! Right now. Thank you. No, no more chickens! You just leave them be!”
He yelled something that Lani couldn’t hear.
“Yes, I know that Derek and Kacie are catching lizards. No, that doesn’t mean you can catch chickens. Because those are auntie’s chickens. Now leave them be.”
She shook her head and sat down with a sigh.
“I can’t keep up with being in a different location every day. I’m getting worn out.”
“I’ll bet.”
“Having a homebase for the co-op will give me time to catch my breath. I might even hire somebody to help full-time, some college student to give me another pair of hands.
“The new families joining don’t want to actually pitch in with the co-op. They just want to drop their kids and run. But the higher fees for non-participatory parents mean that I have more money to work with.”
“When do you move?”
“The room at the community center won’t be ready for a few weeks yet.”
“When do you and the girls move, I mean?”
“Oh, they’re with their dad next weekend. So I can pack and move then.”
“Nathan‘s back?”
“For a minute.” ‘Olena stood and headed off any more questions about her ex. “We should get these kids some lunch before they start melting down.”
They had half of the kids at the folding tables in the carport within a couple of minutes, but it took another half an hour to gather the stragglers from every corner of the property – and one from next door. A girl who knew Tara’s twins had scaled the fence and joined them on the trampoline.
Once everyone was settled with their packed lunches, Emma brought out her magic trick for the day.
She had made big jugs of tea: bright red hibiscus and sapphire blue butterfly pea.
When she mixed the two together, they turned royal purple. The kids oohed and ahhed.
“But look what happens when we add lemon!” She added a squeeze of lemon juice to a cup of blue tea, and swirls of pink appeared. A moment later, the liquid was entirely rose colored.
“I want that one!” Derek shouted.
Once all of the kids were settled with their drink of choice, Emma gave the other women a tired smile.
“I had nearly forgotten what it was like to run a classroom,” she whispered to Lani as ‘Olena went to mop up a spill. “It’s been fun, but I can’t honestly say that I miss it.”
“Same,” Lani admitted.
