Page 41 of Big Island Summer
“Then go wash your hands.”
“Fine!”
Lani turned back to Kiki. “Do you want to wash your hands at the sink, or do you want to let me clean you up right here?”
Wordlessly, Kiana held out her hands. She was still for a moment while Lani mopped up syrup and snot and tears. When that was done, she fell forward into Lani’s lap.
“I miss my mom,” she whimpered, drawing the last word out into a long whine.
“I know you do.” Lani put both arms around Kiki and shifted her until she was sitting on her lap.
“And I miss my dad. But I miss my mom more.”
“Yeah.” Lani nodded along, stroking Kiki’s long black hair.
“I just want to go home.”
“We can go to your house for a while today, if you think that would help you feel better.”
“But they’re not there,” Kiki wailed.
“No, they’re not.”
“How many more days until they’re back?”
“Four more days.”
“But that’s so many!”
“People used to go on honeymoon for a whole month.”
“That’s why they called it a moon,” Luana volunteered as she tiptoed over to join them.
“I didn’t spill it!” Kiki shouted.
Luana shrugged and sat down next to them. “Okay.”
“And a whole moon is too long!”
“Yeah. That’s why Mom and Dad only went for a week.”
“It’s still too long.”
“Yeah.” Luana paused thoughtfully. “Do you want to use my good markers?”
Kiki sat up straight, skull colliding with Lani’s chin.
“You mean it?”
“Yeah. Come on, you can use them for ten minutes.”
“Auntie Lani, will you set a timer?” Kiki asked with full intensity.
“Sure.”
“But don’t start it until I say!” She stood up and bolted down the hall.
Luana stood and ambled after her.
