Oahu: The last day.
“I’m so glad we’re going to Maui today,” Tessa said as she zipped up her suitcase. “Honolulu is exhausting.”
“It was definitely exciting,” Diana agreed, as she carefully sorted through her makeup case. “Especially you getting that award from the castle.”
“It’s a palace, Di, not a castle,” Tessa corrected in a teasing voice, unable to stop the blush that spread up her cheeks. “And the award was from the Historical Preservation Society? It was completely unnecessary and embarrassing.”
“Well,” Diana drawled, “you did make a substantial donation of artifacts. That has to be worth something.”
“I did what anyone should do,” Tessa protested, hiding her rapidly reddening face by checking the drawers in the nightstand. “I didn’t need a plaque. A thank-you note would have been more than enough.”
“I know.” Diana placed a calming hand on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m just teasing you. The look on your face when they surprised you with that little ceremony was priceless, but you covered it really well. I never would have known you were uncomfortable if I didn’t know you so well. Trust me.”
Tessa shrugged. “I didn’t want anything like that, but I’m glad I didn’t look like an idiot.”
“You looked fine,” Diana assured her. “And the display they made with all those things we found was really nice.”
“It was nice, wasn’t it?” Tessa mused, a smile finally breaking on her face. “That display,” she added, “was award worthy. It was super-great to see.”
“Yep.” Diana plopped down on the bed. “I wonder how Maui will compare?”
“Nothing compares to Maui,” Tessa told her. “Oahu is busy. Kauai is gorgeous and quiet; sleepy and very laid back. Molokai is kind of like a desert, Lanai is mostly pineapples and golf courses, and the Big Island is very… volcanic. Maui, though,” her eyes softened, “Maui is paradise. The beaches are amazing, the upcountry is beautiful, and everything is…”
“Home?” Diana asked softly.
“Home,” Tessa agreed. “It’s funny, because Kauai is home, too. I love my grandparents’ place in Hanalei. I can really see myself living there someday. But my heart belongs to Maui, too. To Hana. To Kihei. I love them, and I miss being there when I’m gone.”
“I can’t wait to see your Maui, Tess,” Diana said softly.
“And I can’t wait to show it to you, Di,” Tessa replied. “So let’s get our stuff out of this hotel and down to the airport. Maui awaits!”
Dear Mart,
I almost hate to tell you that you were right, but you were. Don’t let it go to your head. We arrived in Maui, and I was scared to meet Tessa’s friend. After all, they’ve been friends since they were babies, and I’ve barely known Tess a year. Lili is amazing! Not only is she gorgeous--all tan legs and gorgeous hair-- she’s the sweetest thing ever. She made me feel right at home. Her brothers are adorable, and she drives her car like a champ. I think Brian prays hard every time he gets in the car with Lili driving.
Maui is incredible! I thought Tessa was prejudiced, because it’s her home, but it really is paradise. The beaches are all different. Some have white sand, some black, and we even went to one that is GREEN! It has something to do how old that part of the island is, and what kind of minerals and stuff are in the sand. Tomorrow, we are going sail boarding at a junk beach. Tess and Lili say it’s called a junk beach because there’s a whole reef made out of junked cars. You would think that Brian would be excited, since he likes old cars, but he isn’t going with us. Lili’s dad is taking Brian on rounds with him instead. He is thrilled! Evidently Lili’s dad, Dr. Ikahara, is famous in Brian’s world.
Don’t worry, my love. Honey, Trixie and I are in good hands. Lili has her lifeguard certificate, and the two guys who are going with us are certified, too, and Tessa might as well be. We’ll all be safe, I promise. You just make sure you keep safe, too.
Your Lady in Lavender,
Diana
Their Maui adventure began in Hana, where the Bob-Whites were introduced to Harry, Shelby, Lili, Alex and Toshi Ikahara. Staying in Tessa’s family home, they spent most of the first week exploring the lush hills and black sand beaches.
Diana was enjoying herself a lot more than she had thought possible. Looking out the window of Tessa’s bedroom, she pulled the brush through her dark hair, keeping her ears tuned for the familiar sound of their island transportation. Lili Ikahara joined them most days, usually ending up the driver for their excursions. At first, the presence of Tessa’s oldest friend had made Diana uneasy. Having felt much like the third wheel to Trixie and Honey’s friendship, Diana relished having her very own best friend. Having Lili step back into the picture had set her on edge, making her worry about having to share her best friend.
Ten seconds after being introduced, all of Diana’s fears were laid to rest. Lili looked Diana up. She looked her down. Then, with an ear-splitting shriek, hugged her so tightly, Diana lost her breath. There was no animosity, no jealousy. Where Tessa and Diana made a seamless pair, the addition of Lili made them a seamless trio. As the well-recognized whistle-rumble–putt–putt of Lili’s car headed up the road toward the house, Diana pulled her hair back and started stuffing her beach bag.
The bright pink vintage Volkswagen Beetle came to a sputtering stop in the drive. The driver’s door swung open and a pair of long, tan legs clad in sandals hit the gravel. The rest of Lili followed, her swimsuit covered by a pink and yellow batik sarong, her long dark hair pulled away from her face into a smooth and shiny ponytail. “Hello da hale!” she called cheerfully as she bounded up the stairs. “Wheels are here!”
“We’re finishing breakfast,” Tessa called out. “Want some bacon?”
“I never say no to bacon,” Lili replied, plopping down on the chair Honey was vacating and reaching for a crispy strip of fried pork. “How much time do you guys need?”
“Ten minutes,” Trixie told her, rising from her chair and clearing her plate. “Di’s finishing her hair, and the rest of us just need to brush our teeth. Brian’s been ready since the sun came up.”
“Hey!” her brother protested, with a smile on his tanned face. “It’s not every day I get to make rounds with a noted pediatric psychiatrist.”
“Dad’s looking forward to it, too, Brian,” Lili told him, snagging another strip of bacon. “He’s still hoping one of us will follow him into the field.” She made a face. “At least, he’s holding out hope for Alex or Toshi. I think he’s given up on me.”
“Don’t be silly,” Tessa told her, giving Lili’s ponytail a tug as she carried her plate to the sink. “Uncle Harry knows you’ll be a great special education teacher. He’s proud of you for following your heart, even if you aren’t following in his footsteps.”
“True,” Lili agreed. “As long as it’s what I want, Dad would probably support me if I decided to become a housepainter. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t wish for someone to talk shop with.” She grinned at Brian. “So, cuz, you’re helping me out with that, right? My l’il brahs gots ways a go.”
“My pleasure. I think.” Brian bowed formally to Lili, eliciting a giggle. “Now, I think I’ll get my stuff and meet you in yon pink chariot. I call shotgun.”
“Shotgun’s yours,” Lili assured him, “but only because you’ve got the longest legs, and you’re getting out first.”
Brian saluted her and headed to get his things. Lili finished clearing the table, rinsing dishes while Tessa loaded them into the dishwasher.
“Where are you girls headed today?” Miss Trask asked, pouring herself a glass of juice.
“We’re going to drop Brian off at the hospital,” Lili said, “and then we’re going to go down to Junk Beach, and maybe do some sail boarding. My friend, Jeff, is bringing his extra boards.”
“That sounds like fun,” Miss Trask replied. “It goes without saying, of course, but I’ll say it anyway. Please be careful.”
“We will,” Tessa promised as she closed and started the dishwasher. “I promise that we won’t all five be in the water at the same time, and Jeff and Scott are both lifeguard certified, too.” She tilted her head. “What do you have planned for today?”
“Your Uncle Kalihiki wants to take me out fishing in his outrigger.” Miss Trask set down her juice glass, running one slim finger around the rim. “If he and I get lucky, we’ll be having fish for dinner.”
Lili and Tessa shared a look, before Tessa added, “If you need us to bring anything home for dinner, call Aunt Shelby. We’re going to the studio after the beach for some hula while we wait for Brian.”
“I’ll do that,” Miss Trask assured them. “You all have fun, and please stay safe.”
“We will, if you will,” Tessa said, her voice following the chaperone out of the kitchen. Turning to Lili, she lifted an eyebrow. “Uncle Kal is taking her fishing?”
“Romance in the air?” Lili asked in response.
“Interesting,” Tessa mused, tapping her lip with her finger. “Very, very interesting.”
“When do you see the boys again?” Lili asked, grabbing Tessa’s purse off of the counter and tossing it to her friend.
“We’ll head to Kihei on Tuesday,” Tessa told her. “Kai’s bumming around, staying at Mak’s house in Wailuku. I’d guess I’ll be seeing them a lot for our last two weeks–-at least until Kai heads off to the East Indies. Why?”
“Because I’d like to know what they think about Kal having a girlfriend.” Lili’s eyes danced at the thought. “I might have to drive over and see for myself.”
“You’re always welcome in my hale, pu’uwai kaikaina, but I don’t know how much there will be to see. Kal and Miss Trask are both very private people, and Uncle Andrew will be there, too.” She shook her head and grinned. “Our chaperone needing a chaperone. Who would have guessed?”
From outside, the Beetle’s horn honked twice, pulling the girls’ attention back to the day ahead of them. “Let’s go,” Tessa said. “We can dump Brian with your dad and have some girl talk. Maybe Di and Honey have some ideas.”
“What about Trixie?” Lili inquired.
“I’m sure Trixie has plenty of ideas,” Tessa said, “but matchmaking isn’t really her thing. Honey and Di, on the other hand…”
Laughing, both girls headed out to join the others in the car.
Brian clutched the dashboard with his right hand as Lili’s little VW Bug took the corners on what felt like two wheels. Realistically, he knew that all four tires were in contact with the pothole-laden asphalt and that Lili was actually a very good driver for a barely seventeen-year-old. The way she handled the narrow, bumpy road that led to and from Hana was amazing. Brian knew that had he been driving, he would have too cautious and too nervous to take the car within five miles of the posted limit. Lili, however, drove full out, shifting with practiced ease, all the while carrying on a conversation with the four girls in the back.
Chatter. That’s what it was to Brian, simply chatter: Background noise of a pleasant nature, not unlike listening to familiar happy songs on the radio. Tuning out the details he was pretty sure he didn’t need to hear anyway, he concentrated on looking out the window, admiring the lush greenness that so defined the area.
He was glad he had come. Although the trip had not been in his original summer plans, Brian found he had no regrets. Early in the summer, he had been full of resentment over the illness that had taken away his internship. That resentment had faded to guilt over being on vacation in paradise, while his friends worked at camp. Now, he was simply happy he had taken the opportunity when it was presented. The last two weeks of swimming, sunning, sleeping, eating and even surfing and snorkeling had done wonders to restore both his health and spirit. For the first time in a very long time, Brian Belden was not tethered by responsibility and ambition.
Trixie hadn’t managed to find anything more mysterious than the discovery that the sun setting into the ocean seemed to spark a green flash that couldn’t be caught on film. His impetuous sister seemed unusually content to spend her days on the beach with her cousin and best friends. It was a refreshing change from trips past, and Brian found himself wondering if he would eventually miss the constant rush of danger and excitement that usually accompanied his sister. He didn’t think he would.
“Hang on!” Lili’s voice pulled Brian away from his thoughts and gave him the opportunity to use both hands to brace himself as she spun the little car sharply to the left, taking the road to Paia. “We’ll leave you at the clinic with Dad, Brian. Once he’s done here, he said he’ll take you into Wailuku to do rounds.” She paused, slowing the car to allow a cyclist to cross in front of her. “We’re going to the studio after we board, so we’ll meet you there. Sound okay?”
“Shaka.” Brian made a fist and extended his thumb and pinkie, and Lili laughed.
“Stick to da sun grind, cuz,” Tessa teased from the back. “Leaf da pidgin fo’ da kama’aina.”
Brian wrinkled his forehead. “So, I should stick to my day job and leave the pidgin speak to you two… girls?”
“Da kine, brah. Da kine.” Lili giggled. “Okay is da kine.”
Brian shook his head in mock exasperation. “I’ll stick with okay. I think I’m too old to go bilingual.” He grabbed hold of the door handle as Lili slid her car into the parking lot of the mental health clinic. Once she shifted into park, he grabbed his backpack and extricated himself from the car.
“You’re never too old,” Tessa claimed, as she climbed over the seat, claiming Brian’s spot as shotgun. “Just keep practicing, but prepare to be teased.” With a quick smile, she flashed the same “hang loose” hand sign he had used. “Shaka, Bri. Have fun with Uncle Harry.”
“I plan on it,” he said, smiling back. “You girls have fun too. Stay safe.” He ducked his head back into the car to drop a quick kiss on Honey’s cheek before closing the door and watching as Lili backed out and zoomed away with only the slightest grinding of the gears. With a shake of his head and a half wave, he turned toward the clinic. Inside was Dr. Harry Ikahara, a man whose articles on pediatric psychology Brian had spent hours reading. Now, he was getting to actually do rounds with the man himself. Yes, he thought to himself, I am really glad I came. With one last look over his shoulder, he shouldered his bag and headed for the entrance.
“We’re going to have to cancel the performance,” Shelby said as she hung up the phone. She cradled her head in her hands. “I hate to do it, but with Teri’s broken ankle, Margaret on the mainland, and now Kim having the flu, I just don’t see how we can do it.”
“We have to, Mom,” Lili protested. “Tutu Molly is turning one hundred. She loves the hula; we can’t disappoint her.”
“I’ll dance with you, Aunt Shelby,” Tessa volunteered. “And I’ve been teaching Di. That will give you three dancers, plus you, and the kamali’I; everyone loves the little ones. We can do this.”
“What are you volunteering me to do?” asked Diana, hearing her name. She set the uli’uli she had been shaking back on the shelf.
“Aunt Shelby booked a dancing gig, a birthday party for the sweetest little old lady you’ll ever meet, Mrs. Molly Shang,” Tessa explained. “She’s turning one hundred-–Tutu Molly, not Aunt Shelby,” she giggled. “But Auntie’s down three dancers.”
“And you want me to dance?” Diana visibly paled. “Tess, I don’t… I can’t…”
“Yes, you do, and yes, you can,” Tessa said firmly. “You’re a natural, Di, and Aunt Shelby does mostly the basic dances at parties like this, right?” She turned her eyes to Shelby and Lili.
“That’s true,” Shelby agreed, her expression lightening. “I had planned to start with Learn to do the Hula, and then do He Mana’o Ko’u Ia ‘Oe, Aloha ‘oe, and They Say Lucky You Live in Hawai’i. The kamali’i will do Humuhumnukunukukuapua’a and Hilo Hop in between. Then we will wind up with ¨Tutu”. Do you know those, Di?”
“Tess taught me Learn to do the Hula, He Mana’o Ko’u la ‘Oe and Aloha ‘oe, Diana admitted. “But the others don’t sound familiar.”
“When is the party, Aunt Shel?” Tessa asked.
“Saturday night,” was the answer. “Day after tomorrow.”
“Di’s a quick study,” Tessa offered, “and neither of those two dances is all that difficult. If we run them through now, she, Lili and I can practice tomorrow, and we can do another run-through before we head out. How does that sound?”
Shelby narrowed her eyes and looked Diana over. “Kim’s about the same size as you, so costumes won’t be an issue. Tessa has most of her old costumes in the closet.” She worried her lip as she thought. “I don’t want to force you, Di, but I’d really appreciate it, if you’d be willing.”
“Please?” Tessa asked, cocking her head and putting her hands palms together. “Pretty please?”
Next to her, Lili mimicked the action. “Pretty please with whipped cream and a cherry on top?”
Diana gave in with a giggle. “All right, you two. I’ll do it, but you’d better make sure I know the steps. I don’t want to look like an idiot.”
“As if!” Trixie scoffed. “You haven’t fallen off a stage since kindergarten. When you and Tess danced in the talent show, you got a standing ovation.”
“That’s true,” Honey reminded her. “You dance really well, Di. You’re so graceful. You’ll be fine.”
“I hope you’re right,” Diana said, her voice sounding a little uncertain as she blushed at the praise.
Trixie snickered. “Now if they want some comedy, all you have to do is put me up there.” She rolled her blue eyes.
“I have every confidence in my girls and in you,” Shelby said, giving Diana a hug. “And I’d bet you could handle the hula on stage, too, Miss Trixie, if you wanted to.” Shelby smiled as Trixie blushed. “Not to mention that you’re really bailing me out here, Diana. Molly Shang is an icon around these parts, and disappointing her would break my heart. Thank you.”
“I’m glad to help,” Diana said. “I guess I just have a little stage fright.”
“Well,” Shelby said with a smile, “You know what fixes that, right? Practice! Lili. Tessa. Let’s get started. Honey and Trixie, grab practice skirts out of the basket. These days, my dancers are dropping like flies, so the more the merrier.” She walked over to start the music, as Lili and Tessa took their positions, dragging Diana along with them. Trixie and Honey followed a little tentatively. The music started, and with Shelby leading them, they danced.
Diana peeked around the corner of the curtain. “There are a lot of people out there,” she whispered.
“About fifty-five,” Tessa confirmed in an equally quiet voice. “But, you have to remember that some of them are family.” At Diana’s quizzical look, she elaborated, “Miss Trask, Uncle Kal, Uncle Andy, Uncle Harry, Brian, Trixie, Honey, Kai, Mak and Tanya, Toshi and Alex. Ohana. Family.”
“Oh.” Diana stepped back and let the curtain fall. “I can do this, right?”
“Of course you can, Di.” Lili gripped her by the shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes. “We wouldn’t send you out there if we didn’t think you could do it. We need you out there, and we know you can do it. Take a breath, and when the music starts, your body will know. Trust me.”
Di nodded her head, trying to calm her racing heart as Shelby stepped through the divide and stood in front of the curtain to address the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends. I am Shelby Ikahara of Hana Hula Halou. Tonight we celebrate the life of an amazing Hawaiian lady, Molly Shang. Mrs. Shang has long been a proponent of preserving the cultural identity of Hawai’i. She has been an incredible benefactor of Hula, the language of dance, so I would invite you all to join with us now in learning a few basic steps.”
Diana listened with half an ear as Shelby demonstrated the beginning basic steps of hula and encouraged the audience to rise and join her. Then the music started, and Diana found herself following Lili through the curtain, with Tessa close on her heels. Just as Lili had told her, she heard the music, and her feet and hands just started to dance.
“You were awesome!” Tanya Po’iki, Mak’s girlfriend enthused, giving Diana a big hug. “When Mak told me you’d only been practicing for a couple of days, I was amazed.”
“Thanks,” Diana replied, blushing at the praise.
Tessa stepped in to save her. “She’s a natural,” she said, easily redirecting the conversation, “Have you met Mrs. Shang, Tanya? Let me introduce you.” And with that, Tessa escorted the vivacious and bubbly Tanya away from Diana and back out into the party. Relieved, Diana slipped away from the crowd into the relative quiet of the makeshift backstage area behind the curtain. Collapsing on to a folding chair, she closed her eyes and took a couple of deep breaths.
It was odd, she mused. No matter how much she enjoyed performing, she always needed a few minutes of solitude in order to calm down and center herself when she was finished. Always. She took in another deep breath of warm, scented air, reveling in the peace, despite the party continuing on the other side of the curtain.
“Hey, Princess Di,” Tessa’s soft voice broke into Diana’s musings. “Are you ready yet? Your adoring public awaits. And Cousin Kai is whining about wanting ice cream.”
Diana laughed. “I suppose I’m ready.” Accepting Tessa’s hand, she allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. “I would like to meet the birthday girl before we leave. Do you think that would be okay?”
“Of course.” Tessa grinned. “Mrs. Shang might be a century old, but she is still the sweetest and sharpest lady I know. She’s asked to meet you, and she wants us to come back on a not–so–busy night. How does tea tomorrow afternoon sound?”
“Tea?” Diana protested, “Tess, I haven’t even met the lady!”
Tessa giggled. “When Tutu Molly decides she likes you, it doesn’t matter if you’ve met. Besides, you’ll have a ton of fun. Some of my favorite memories are of Tutu Molly’s tea parties. She tells the best stories. I’d love for her to share them with you, too.” She extended her arm. “Shall we?”
Diana nodded, tucking a stray strand of dark hair back behind her ear, affecting a haughty air. “Let’s go socialize. We really shouldn’t keep the fans waiting.” She looked down her nose at Tessa, and they both dissolved into giggles. Arm and arm, they returned to the party.
Dear Jim,
I’m sorry it’s been so long since my last letter. There has been so much to do. Before we left Oahu, we visited the I’olani Palace so we could see the exhibit they made with the stuff we found in that antique store. The historical society surprised Tessa with a thank you ceremony, a plaque and a bunch of speeches. She was terribly embarrassed, but she handled it very graciously.
Maui is beautiful. We’ve been surfing and wind sailing and beach combing. Brian is going to take scuba lessons! Brian. Scuba. Those two words just don’t seem to go together, do they? Before you think that your best friend has gone completely native, let me assure you that he has spent plenty of time shadowing Tessa’s Uncle Harry at the hospital and clinic. Brian is doing really well. He’s relaxed and seems to be enjoying himself. I have to tell you, after our horrible spring, I can’t tell you how relieved I am.
The other news I have for you is about our very own Miss Trask. You aren’t going to believe this, Jim, but I think that Miss Trask and Uncle Kal – Tessa’s uncle, the one who isn’t related to any of us, I think they have…a thing. You know, like they like like each other. But it isn’t weird like it was with McDuff in England. We all like Kal, and he didn’t have to try to kill any of us in order to get close to us like the fake Scot did. Does that make sense? Anyway, they spend a lot of time together, walking on the beach and fishing in his boat. It’s called an outrigger, and Tess says he doesn’t just take anyone out in it. Miss Trask has been out with him twice already.
Tonight, we went to a centennial birthday. The sweetest Hawaiian lady, Molly Shang, turned 100. Tessa and Diana danced with Tessa’s Aunt Shelby’s dance troupe – which used to be Tessa’s mom’s dance troupe, and I think is now Tessa’s, since she inherited everything when her parents died. Anyway, they danced, and the rest of us, plus Kal’s sons, Mak and Kai, and Mak’s girlfriend, Tanya tagged along. It was a real luau. Pigs and turkeys roasted in pit ovens, raw salmon salad, poi, sushi and all kinds of salads and desserts. Mart would have been in heaven. Mrs. Shang invited us girls for tea tomorrow. Tanya was invited, too, but she has to work. Tanya has two jobs. She works in a bookstore, and she weaves palm things. I mean she uses palm fronds to make trays and bowls and the most adorable purses. She’s made each of us girls a woven daisy of a purse. Mine is made of dark green dyed fronds. Trixie’s is blue, Diana’s is purple, Lili’s is orange, and Tessa’s is pink. They are so cute! I’m thinking about asking her to sell me one of her serving trays to bring home for Mother. There is this one she made that has little roses all around the outside. I think Mother would appreciate it, at least for serving tea on the terrace.
Speaking of tea, I need to go work on Trixie. She’s really nervous about going to Mrs. Shang’s tomorrow. She was wandering around muttering about bulls and china shops. I really wish I could make her see that she isn’t a klutz. Maybe you could send her a note? I know you’re busy, and that this summer has been hard, what with losing your camper from last year, but it would be nice to get more than a four-sentence post card from you. You don’t have to write a book like I do, but letting us know how you’re really doing would be nice.
I love you, my very own full-blooded, adopted brother,
Honey
Author Notes:
Many thanks to my editors, Mary, Susan and Wendy! At their urging, I am giving you a dictionary to help you with the Pidgin. This may be an ongoing feature, cuz da Pidgin be da max.
Dictionary of terms:
Hello da hale= Hello the house
Cuz= Cousin-term of endearment
My l’il brahs gots ways a go= My little brothers’ are still young
Hale= House
Pu’uwai kaikaina= heart sister
Shaka= Hang loose
Stick to da sun grind= Keep your day job
Leaf da pidgin fo = Leave the Pidgin to the natives
da kama’aina
Da kine= Okay. No problem.
