Page 59 of Big Island Moonlight
Lani and the other co-op parents had been taking turns putting in extra hours at the playschool so that ‘Olena could rest at home with her newborn. She was happy to help, and she loved the extra time that it gave her with Rory and Olivia and all of their friends… but it also added to her general sense of overwhelm.
Finally the rooms were in order. She went out to join everybody at the playground just as other parents began to arrive for pickup.
“Aloha, Lani.” Nell stood at the edge of the playground, watching over the whole playschool group in addition to her rambunctious toddler. It was easier than Lani might have imagined, given how all of his miniature aunties and uncles doted on him. “Thanks for helping me hold down the fort today.”
“My pleasure.”
“The kids love your art lessons.”
“I love coming in and doing art with everybody. And hey, you’re doing a great job running things.”
“Thanks. I knew ‘Olena was impressive, but man. I can’t believe she used to do this all on her own.”
“She’s a force of nature, that’s for sure.”
“Are you walking the girls home today?”
“Sure,” Lani said. “I’d be happy to.”
“Great.” Nell’s smile was genuine, but tired. “Thank you.”
“Auntie Lani?” Kiki pulled on her hand. “Can we go home now? I miss my mom.”
“And I miss my favorite sibling.” Luana strolled over and glared at her little sister, still angry over some playground argument they’d had that morning. They were both struggling with being away from their mom so much more than usual, but Lani knew that things would settle.
“Sure, baby,” she said to Kiki. “We can head out. Round up your cousins and we’ll walk you home.”
“Olivia!” Kiki sprinted across the playground. “Livie! You wanna see my brother? He’s really heavy, and he already knows how to smile!”
Luana stuck her hands in her pockets and kicked a rock across the grass, visibly annoyed that her sister hadn’t taken the bait.
Lani hugged Nell goodbye. “See you tomorrow.”
“Aloha, sis. Thanks again.”
It was a short walk from New Horizons to ‘Olena’s place. The girls were so quick that even jogging to keep up, Lani lost sight of them when they ran into their front yard.
She found them around back, cooing over the new baby. Mahina and another auntie were sitting with ‘Olena against a colorful backdrop of hibiscus bushes.
“Hey Lani,” ‘Olena said after she’d greeted the aunties. “How did it go today?”
“All good. Nell’s doing great.”
“Yeah, she is. Pull up a chair.”
“All right.” She grabbed another beach chair and joined them in the sunshine.
The girls were playing happily, already cooking up some mud potion in the corner of the yard, and Lani’s tense muscles relaxed as the sun soaked into her shoulders.
When was the last time she had just let herself sit and do nothing?
“How you been, Lani?”
“Fine.” She opened her eyes to respond to Mahina’s friend, feeling guilty that she couldn’t remember the auntie’s name.
She had an iron-gray bob and a familiar face, and Laniknewthat she had known the woman’s name at some point… but it was gone now, and she was ashamed to ask the name of a woman who had watched her grow up.
Her expression turned sly. “I saw that your Italian lover is back in town.”
