Page 66 of Big Island Horizons
“I’ll do it!” Rory ran back in wearing her swimsuit. “I’ll show her how to feed the chickens! Over here, Livie!”
Once the animals were fed, they all piled into Tenn’s Jeep. Dio rode along in the back, and so she was extra careful to lock up before she left.
Most people in Pualena hardly bothered to lock their doors, especially when they had dogs out front. But she was checking locks obsessively these days… as if he couldn’t just break a window. The thought made her feel sick to her stomach.
“Are you okay?” Tenn asked.
Lani gave him a wan smile, but she didn’t answer. She was tired of lying.
They drove to the far end of the beach road and parked in a dirt lot, then crossed the tidal lagoon and found the path that led to the small, hidden beach that they loved so much.
The girls ran joyfully down the path with Dio bounding ahead and looping back, thrilled to be out in the world alongside his people.
Tenn slung their beach bag over one shoulder and offered a hand to Lani. She slipped her hand into his, and the tight knot of fear in her chest loosened just a bit. She couldn’t fully enjoy the gorgeous day and the clear waters of the lagoon, but she tried.
They followed the girls down the path, through the vibrant green meadow and across the brackish water that rose and fell with the tide.
Once they reached their favorite beach, a narrow semicircle of sand hidden amongst the rocks, the adults settled down on an oversized beach towel while Dio and the kids splashed right into the water.
“Daddy, come in!” Olivia called the moment he was settled.
“Not right this minute,” Tenn called back.
“Please! I want to show Rory my backflip!”
He sighed and looked at Lani, who smiled and nodded her encouragement. With a wry smile, he pushed himself up and walked out into the sunshine to meet his daughter. They waded into the deepest part of the lagoon, where Olivia couldn’t quite stand.
Rory perched on an island of black lava rock, watching expectantly.
“Ready?” Tenn said.
“Ready!” Olivia shouted.
With his hands under her feet, he launched her up and out of the water. She arched her body backwards and did a full backflip before landing with a splash.
From her own tiny island, Rory clapped and cheered.
“I want to try!” she shouted.
Tenn glanced at Lani, who nodded.
“Okay, let’s give it a try.”
They passed the day like that, Tenn keeping the kids entertained and active while Lani just rested, letting the tangled knots of her nervous system begin to unspool. She spread a towel on a rocky island in the middle of the lagoon and basked like a lizard, letting the Hawaiian sunshine bake some of the tension out of her muscles.
Finally, when shadows overtook their hidden beach and the kids began to shiver, they headed back for the car.
“Should we stop for dinner?” Tenn asked as they drove away from the beach.
“No, it’s Tara’s delivery day. We’ll have food waiting for us at home.”
“Okay, sounds good. I just need to stop for gas.”
Any sort of stop made Lani nervous, but she couldn’t argue this one. Suddenly cold, she fished around in the back seat until she found one of Tenn’s hoodies and pulled it on.
In the back, kids and dog were all mellow after a day of water and sunshine. Tenn left Olivia’s favorite audiobook playing as he got out of the car to fill up the gas tank. Lani crossed her arms over her chest, wishing they were home already.
To her right, the glass windows of the convenience store blared bright against the last light of the day. She glanced at the men who stood at the corner, clutching their bottles in paper bags, and that’s when she saw him.
