I leave you this letter as the eldest. When I’m gone, I pray you will choose the right time to give this to your sister. Your wisdom is great in spite of your youth. You will know when.
My Kaia, though you are dearer to me than I can say, there is a cancer eating up the joy in your heart more ravenous than the disease devouring my body. I fear this bitterness I see growing in you will strangle the joy from your heart as seaweed chokes the lagoon. You have brought us much joy in your growing years. Now you are a wahine, a woman. The Bible says to put away childish things, and I hope as you read this letter, you can do that very thing. Forgiveness is an adult response, and you must take hold of it with the same zest with which you embraced your studies. Do not blame your mother for her mistakes. God says to forgive as He has forgiven us. Let go of it, my Kaia. Let go and let God heal your heart.
T?t?
Kaia dropped the letter, and it drifted to nest in a bed of mimosa. For a few moments, she was a little girl again, and her t?t? the woman with all the answers. If only her grandmother were here to guide her through these treacherous waters. She didn’t know how to forgive her mother. If only she could forget the past and forge a new future. But it was easier said than done.
“You have to forgive her, Kaia,” Bane said. He squeezed her shoulder and left her.
“Help me, T?t?,” she whispered. But the only answer was the wind in the palms.
Jesse sat in his Jeep and looked at Oke Kohala’s cottage. From the vehicles parked around the sandy road and in the driveway, it looked like Kaia’s brothers were here. Though Jesse wasn’t enamored at the thought of baring his heart to the world, it was now or never.
If he had to fight for Kaia, so be it. She hadn’t answered his calls, so this was the next step.
“Are we just going to sit here?” Heidi asked. “I want to go look for Nani. Will you come with me?”
Jesse glanced at his niece. Her blue eyes darted around in fear. He couldn’t blame her for being scared. She’d been through things no child should witness.
“Let’s go.” He got out. Heidi scooted over the seat to get out on his side. She held his hand in a death grip.
“When is Mom coming?”
“As soon as she can get a flight.” Jesse would miss Heidi. Now that the tests were over and he could spend more time with her, he was about to lose her.
“That’s what you said yesterday.” She watched the koa tree grove with suspicious eyes.
Her mother would have been home by now except for her canceled flight. There had been a terrorist scare, and Jillian had been stuck in Italy, much to her dismay. She hoped to get a flight out within a day or two, though Jesse didn’t dare tell Heidi the reason for the delay. She would just worry all the more.
He stopped on the path and squatted to look her in the eye. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore, monkey. The bad guys are locked up. You’re safe.”
Her face contorted. “It was scary, Uncle Jesse.”
“I know. And I’m sorry I wasn’t there to keep you from getting scared. But God was with you. You know that, right? And he kept you safe.”
“I know.” Her face relaxed. “I prayed and prayed for you to find me. And he sent Nani.”
“That’s right.” Jesse smiled.
“Where is Kaia?” Heidi’s voice was plaintive.
“I’m not sure. I’m going to go find her later.” Maybe she was at the lab. She had plenty to keep her busy there now that Curtis had heard the story of how Nani helped rescue his wife. Jesse stood up and took Heidi’s hand. His steps lagged. Man, he didn’t want to have to enlist Kaia’s family’s help, but he didn’t know what else to do. He felt like a kid going to his dad over a problem at school.
The imu pit was heating, and Mano was layering the hot coals with ti leaves. He waved at Jesse and went back to his work.
“Can I watch?” Heidi whispered.
Jesse nodded. “I’ll come get you later and we’ll go to the beach.”
“Okay.” She ran to join Mano, who handed ti leaves to her so she could help him.
Pressing his lips together, Jesse strode to the cottage door and knocked.
“Be right there,” Bane called.
Wonderful scents came through the screen door, and Jesse’s mouth watered. He hadn’t eaten breakfast yet, and the aroma of baking coconut made his stomach rumble. He stepped away from the door as Bane joined him.
“Where have you been hiding?” Bane asked, holding open the screen for Jesse.
“I’ve been busy.”
He followed Bane inside. “It’s about time you showed your face.” He studied Jesse’s face. “You look a little haggard, brah.”