Page 84 of Big Island Sunset
Lani held her hands out for Rory, who went to her without protest. Subdued, she draped her arms around Lani’s shoulders and rested her head against her neck.
“Thank you for giving me time with her,” Lorenzo said somberly. He sniffed back his tears and added, with a watery smile, “Thank you for giving me a daughter.”
He turned to go, but Rory fought her way out of her mother’s arms and dropped onto the walkway. She ran after Lorenzo and slammed into him, burying her face in his side.
“Don’t go,” she sobbed. “I never had a babbo before.”
“I have to,amore,” he said, patting the top of her head. “I’m so sorry.”
“I love you,” Rory said in a sad little voice.
Lorenzo swallowed, steading himself. “I love you too.”
He looked to Lani, who came and picked Rory up again.
“Promise you’ll come back,” she demanded.
“I promise,principessa.”
“And we’ll go visit him, too,” Lani said.
“We will?” Rory gasped, astonished. Lorenzo put a hand over his mouth, overcome with emotion.
“We will. I don’t know when,” she added, looking between them. “Not until next summer, at the earliest. But I’ll make it happen. I promise.”
“There, you see?” Lorenzo said, tapping Rory beneath the chin. “I will visit you, and you will visit me. This is not goodbye. It is just… until next time.”
“Aloha.” Rory wiped her tears away with the heel of her hand. “That’s what we say in Hawai’i. It’s goodbyeandhello.”
“Aloha,figlia mia.” He kissed her on the forehead, nodded to Lani, and walked off into the night.
Lani just stood there for a moment, swaying back and forth with her baby girl in her arms. It was a mixed blessing, having to share her. Mostly, though, she was just grateful that her daughter had so many people who loved her.
“Are we really going to Italy?” Rory whispered.
“Someday,” Lani said.
“Someday soon?”
“I’ll make it happen,” she promised her. “We’ll have to get you a passport.”
“And one for Livie,” Rory said.
Lani squeezed her tighter and didn’t answer. Would Tenn want to turn Rory’s pilgrimage to Italy into a family vacation? Would he want Lani to go at all? They hadn’t discussed it.
He had been a good sport about Lani’s old fling coming around – he had even fed the man at his own table – but going to stay with him in rural Italy felt like a lot to ask. Getting there would take thousands of dollars that they didn’t have, and going as a family would be twice as expensive.
Insecurity churned through her chest as a fine mist descended on Pualena, leaving tiny specks of water on her face and arms.
“Mama? And one for Livie?”
“Run inside.” Lani kissed her on the head and set her down. “It’s starting to sprinkle.”
Rory danced up the path and into the house with Lani following close behind.
It would all work out, Lani told herself.
They would talk things through and find a way… some other time.
