Page 48 of Big Island Horizons
“You can’t just start dating Liam!” he exclaimed, gesturing wildly. “We’ve known him forever! He’s basically our uncle. It’s too weird.”
For a moment, Tara just stared at him. Her son, usually mild mannered and wise beyond his years, was throwing something very close to a tantrum. She wanted to unpack that with him and figure out what was really making him so upset, but in that moment she felt pulled in a dozen different directions.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t have time to discuss this right now.”
“You never have time!”
“I have to go try to get Ricky.”
“Right, your first born.”
“Cody!” She took a breath and summoned her patience. “Do you want to come with me?”
“I have class.”
“Fine. We’ll talk later.”
“Fine,” he spat.
Tara walked out, shaking her head.
Sometimes just getting through her day to day life felt like going to battle against a hydra. As soon as she had one problem sorted, two new ones sprang up in its place.
16
Lani
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
The text from Kekoa came in as Lani was getting her stuff together to run out the door.
You gave him the TRO?she texted back.
Fool’s been SERVED! You shoulda seen his face.
Thanks,Lani messaged him.
She paused on her way to the front door, waiting for the sensation of relief that she hoped was coming. But… nothing. Just the same anxiety that had plagued her for weeks.
She was grateful to her cousin for serving Zeke with the temporary restraining order. It had been the smart thing to do, and it would be helpful to have some documentation in place in case things escalated.
But just the fact that he was still in town made her uneasy. She hated that he had gone back to Haumona again, even if their plan of serving him with the restraining order had banked on him showing up at her workplace.
What would he do now that she had taken legal action? She felt frightened to go to town, stymied from living her usual life.
Everything felt off. And she still hadn’t told Tenn.
“Mommy!” Rory threw the front door open and stomped her foot. “Let’s go! Livie’s waiting!”
Lani made herself smile. “Okay, baby. I’m ready.”
“Can we drive?”
“Sure.” Lani had tried to get her daughter into the habit of walking the short distance to Tenn’s house, but she didn’t feel like walking down the main road today. It made her feel exposed and jumpy. She would rather be in her uncle’s old truck than walk out on the side of the road with her baby girl.
“Yay!” Rory cheered. She ran to the truck and pulled open the door. “Come on!”
Dio paced next to the truck, whining fretfully.
