Page 42 of Big Island Weddings
That’s how their relationship had been from the beginning, after all. As much as they might try to put the brakes on, take things slow, get to know each other better… there was already a depth to their relationship that went far beyond the early dating phase.
Nell had already met his daughter, and he knew her kids. Their daughters had played and painted together. He’d held her baby, and he had heldherwhile she cried.
She wanted to be there for him too.
Nell had expected him to drive towards the hospital, so she was surprised when he passed it and continued on to the edge of town. He parked in front of a small, private elder care facility and gave her a long look.
“It can get rough in there,” he warned her. “If you want to wait in the car…”
She just smiled at him and hopped out onto the sidewalk, where she waited for him to walk around. They went up the front path hand in hand, and he punched in a key code at the door. Before it was even open, she could hear a woman yelling inside.
“I want to go home!” Her voice was several times louder with the door open. “You can’t keep me here! I didn’t do anything! I have rights!”
“Good evening, Mr. Kahele.” The woman sitting at the front desk gave them an apologetic look. “I’m sorry that I interrupted your evening. They’ve tried everything. She just won’t settle.”
“It’s fine,” Hugh said, but his voice was flat and sad. He released Nell’s hand and walked through to the next room with her close behind.
A middle-aged woman had backed herself into a corner. She had a fork clutched in one hand, raised over her head like a weapon.
“I want to go home!” she shouted at the woman in front of her.
“I hear you,” the woman said, her voice placating. “I’ll help you pack. Why don’t we put your clothes in the laundry, and then–”
“That’s a trick! That’s just a trick! You can’t keep me here!”
“Donna,” Hugh called out, his voice soft. “Can I help?”
She peered at him across the room and slowly lowered the hand that held the fork.
“It’s a beautiful night,” he said, walking forward. “The moon’s almost full. How about a walk?”
The fork fell from her hand, and she didn’t appear to notice the orderly who swooped in and picked it up.
“Hugh?” Donna still looked confused, but her eyes cleared somewhat as reason and memory returned. Grief flashed across Hugh’s face, and there were tears in his eyes even as he smiled.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hugh! There you are! I was so worried!” She hurried across the room and hugged him. “I know it’s been a couple years now, but I will never get used to you being taller than me.”
It was like a switch had flipped. The confused, angry old lady was gone. This woman was full of energy. When she spotted Nell, her eyes were happy and bright.
“Is this your date?” she demanded.
“Mom, this is Nell.” He turned to include her in the conversation, and she took a hesitant step forward.
“You are so beautiful! Look at that hair! You live in Pualena?”
“I do.”
“It’s lovely to meet you, Nell.” Donna smacked Hugh good naturedly on the arm. “This one never brings his dates home. He must like you a lot!”
“I do.” Hugh held a hand out towards Nell, and she slipped into the shelter of his arm.
“Don’t you make a pretty couple. Enough of that now.” She pushed Hugh lightly away and took Nell by one arm. “Come and see my garden. You’ve never seen hibiscus like mine. It’s like they’re lit from within, my word to heaven.”
There was a sizable walled garden in the back, and they walked in circles through the tropical plants as Donna chattered on about neighbors who had moved away and businesses that had closed. Nell did her best to keep up.
“How is it I don’t know your parents?” Donna asked after a while. “I’ve never even seen you in town. I would remember that hair, you know.”
