Page 81 of Big Island Sunset
They both looked at her, waiting for an answer.
She nodded, swallowing back tears. But the overflow of emotion wasn’t grief this time — at least not entirely. There was gratitude too, and love for her son, and more that she wasn’t ready to name.
There was goodness mixed in the grief… which made it all the more overwhelming at times, but also easier to bear.
Kai tossed her the ball, and she snatched it out of the air.
She threw it back to him, and he threw it to Keith.
They stood there for a long time, playing catch in the dappled sunlight of the front yard. It felt like the start of something, albeit something as fragile and uncertain as a newly planted sapling.
26
Fern
It was a perfect autumn day in Hilo: blue skies and a cool breeze. The grass at the beach park shone green in front of the clear water of the seaside ponds.
“If you want to get Theo out of his seat,” Ethan said as he put his truck into Park, “I’ll grab the diaper bag and that salad that you made.”
“Deal.” She slipped down from the cab of the truck and then opened the back door to get Theo. He had fallen asleep on the drive to Hilo, and she managed to ease him out of his seat without waking him. He stirred when the sun hit his eyelids, then nestled his face into the crook of her neck and went back to sleep.
There was a huge crowd gathered for the birthday party. They had claimed two of the blue-roofed beach pavilions, and there were two picnic tables crammed with food. Ethan shuffled some trays around to make a spot for the kale salad that Fernhad made. He set it down and then retreated from the crowd to stand by her side.
There were plenty of familiar faces, lots of students from Fern’s yoga classes, but no close friends. Gatherings like these always reminded her of how much of an outsider she still was on the island. It took a long time to truly feel a part of things – everyone said so. Most transplants didn’t last that long.
“Hey, you made it!” ‘Olena said when she spotted them. She wove through the crowd and enveloped Fern in a hug, careful not to crush the baby.
“Happy birthday!” Fern returned the hug with one arm, cradling Theo in the other.
“Mahalo.” ‘Olena greeted Ethan with a friendly shove and slipped into a stronger accent, the way locals often did with family. “I heard you moved ova to the island, but nobody’s seen you.”
“I’ve been busy with this little guy,” he said with a gesture to Theo.
“Babies are portable, you know,” ‘Olena said dryly.
“I’ve had a rough time of it lately.” There was a mild note of rebuke in his voice.
“That’s when you need people the most. What did you come here for, if not to lean on ‘ohana?”
He didn’t have an answer to that.
“I know it’s been a long time since we were all dumb kids adventuring together, but you’re still ‘ohana. You know that, right? Nate’s been wondering why you never come around.”
“I’m still getting my feet under me.” There was a ragged edge to his voice now, and Fern slipped her hand into his.
‘Olena heard it too, and she nodded. Her expression was thoughtful.
“Nate’s gonna level the hilltop soon, where we’re gonna build our house. You should give him a hand. Come up and see the orchard sometime.”
“I’d like that.”
“Look at him, holding court.” ‘Olena crossed her arms and grinned across the crowd at her husband, who towered a head taller than everyone else. “I told him that I didn’t need some big birthday party, but he insisted. He’s trying to make up for lost time. I keep telling him, there’s no making up for what’s already gone. There’s only making the most of the time we have now. But I guess this is his way of doing that.”
A new arrival waved and made a beeline for ‘Olena, who said a friendly goodbye to Ethan and Fern as she walked away.
“I didn’t realize that you knew them so well,” Fern said.
“I don’t, really. But we used to run in the same circles.”
