Ocean's Kiss

by Lani Wendt Young

  CHAPTER TEN

  At the hospital, doctors confirmed that yes Leila’s arm was broken. And two of her ribs. Daniel’s rage was a beast that threatened to break free as he paced the waiting room while they set her arm and got her bandaged up. Simone came in response to Daniel’s text message, breaking speed limits and bringing a flush of vibrant energy into the hospital with him.

  “I can’t leave you two alone for a minute without someone getting hurt!” Simone announced.

  Leila welcomed Simone with relief. “I’m so glad you’re here. I told the doctor that I tripped and fell. But I think the staff think my husband beat me, and Daniel’s not helping with how he’s behaving right now. Look at him!”

  As they both looked over at a pacing Daniel, he stopped to try and get water from the cooler that stood in the hall. He couldn’t get the dispenser to work and with a muffled oath, face thunderous with rage, he picked up the plastic cups and threw them across the room, then turned and kicked a chair. Ignoring the reproving looks from everyone in the hall, he stalked away.

  “They’re going to call security, get the police to lock him up,” fretted Leila. “Can you go after him? Please. Make him calm down.”

  Simone chased after Daniel and cornered him in the parking lot. “What is wrong with you? Leila needs you in there. Not out here smashing rubbish bins and getting into fights with trees. Your wife needs YOU.”

  “I can’t protect her, Simone. Two ocean nut-jobs show up to my house and attack us. I’m supposed to watch over her and I can’t.” He took a deep breath, ran a hand up through his hair in the familiar gesture of worry that Simone knew so well. “But even worse, I watched Leila kill someone tonight. She did it without hesitation, and the look in her eyes? She enjoyed it. She looked like…”

  “Pele,” said Simone. “You’re worried about Pele.” A sigh as Simone guided Daniel over to sit on a nearby bench. “Tell me everything. What happened?”

  Daniel stared at the ground as he recounted the night’s events. Dawn was approaching and there was a pink burn to the sky as he spoke.

  When he was done, Simone was quiet for a few minutes. Thinking. “Are you sure you’re not mad because your pride is hurt here? Because two women kicked your ass, pinned you to a wall. And your wife is the only one who was able to hit back with any success?” His tone was light but his gaze was serious.

  Daniel shook his head. “I’m afraid Simone. I hoped we were done, y’know? With Telesā and their shit. I just wanted Leila back, and for us to have a life together.”

  “I’m afraid that’s not quite possible,” said Simone with matter-of-factness. “You may not have your ocean powers any more, but that stuff is going to follow you around for the rest of your lives. So find ways to deal with it. Don’t wallow. And we both know that Pele’s not really dead. Your wife’s got baggage. It’s deep, and may not get out any time soon, but it’s there. You love her? Then you love her baggage as well. So she looked a little scary when she slashed the enemy’s throat open? Like she enjoyed it a little too much? So what? She was doing what she needed to do for both of you and your safety. Deal with it. Appreciate her inner killer. It may come in handy for when you get your ass beat again by beautiful women.”

  “Is this your idea of a pep talk?” said Daniel with a wry grin. “Haven’t you ever heard, don’t kick a dog when he’s down?”

  Simone laughed and nudged him. “You can handle it. Big, strong Daniel Tahi!” Then Simone gave Daniel a searching look. “I’m waiting for you to tell me what’s really hurting you. Go on. It’s just you and me here.” Simone gestured expansively at the empty parking lot. “You, me, a hundred mosquitos. And a cockroach.” Simone leapt up to stamp on the insect with vicious force. “Got you!” He sat back down. “Now, where were we? You were about to tell me what else is going on.”

  “I used to dream about her. My mother. When I was a kid growing up with Mama and Papa Tahi. I’d imagine up what she looked like, the sound of her voice, the fun things we would do together. Every prize giving, every rugby championship trophy, I’d think about how proud she’d be of me. I’d pray and ask God to please bring her back.” He went quiet, staring down at the semi-squashed insect at their feet.

  “And now she’s back,” said Simone.

  “Yeah. And there’s nothing motherly about her at all,” said Daniel.

  “Mothers can be killers too,” said Simone. “It doesn’t mean that they can’t also care about their children. She healed Leila before, just because you love her. So we know your happiness means something to her.”

  Daniel didn’t look convinced. Simone continued. “You’ve met my Dad, right? Warm, funny, decent guy, yes? Always wants you to come round and watch the rugby on TV with him.”

  Daniel nodded. “He’s cool to hang out with.”

  “Well, when I was little, he would beat me with a metal pipe because he didn’t want his son to be fa’afafine. He wanted to beat it out of me. The way I walked, talked, the way I danced, or dressed. All of it. He hated it. I used to sit up late at night making a mental list of how I could kill him one day. Poison his koko. Hire a hitman to take him out. Eventually he stopped. I guess he figured that I was a lost cause. Or maybe he just got tired. We’ve never talked about the beatings, or how he feels about my being who I am. And I’ve never told him how I feel. But last week he took out a loan and paid my tuition for that art school in Australia. Never said a word. Just went and did it. What does that mean? I don’t know. Does it make up for the beatings? Hell no. All I know is that parents are never black and white. Especially when they don’t get the kid that they expected. And who ever gets the kid they expected?”

  They sat there in silence for a few minutes watching the sun come up.

  Back inside the hospital, Simone made his goodbyes and then Daniel proceeded to tell Leila everything he knew about Moanasina.

  “So she saved my life!” said Leila in wonder. Comprehension dawned. “The silver dolphins! It was her. That night when my mother and her sisters stabbed you and they threw you overboard. It was Moanasina who saved you and brought you back to me. We owe her everything.”

  Daniel was confused. “Did you get some brain damage from last night? You’re bandaged up in hospital because of Moanasina. That’s what we owe her.”

  “Would you stop fussing?” said Leila with a tired grin. “I’m fine. I’ve had worse, remember? This is nothing.”

  “It’s not nothing,” said Daniel. “She tried to kill you.”

  Leila rolled her eyes. “If she’d wanted me dead, she would have done it already. Easily. I’m not exactly a threat to anyone now, am I? You have to tell your father - I mean Ronan.”

  “Tell him what though?” said Daniel. “Oh hey, by the way, the woman you fell in love with twenty years ago? The one who jumped off a cliff? She’s actually alive. But she’s an ocean ghost who creeps around my house and is stalking your boat? How do you tell someone that?”

  “You’re right. It does sound crazy,” agreed Leila. “But that’s the world we live in. We’re Telesā remember? So our world is full of crazy unbelievable stuff.”

  “That’s just it. We’re NOT Telesā,” snapped Daniel. “Not anymore. Being Telesā ruined our lives, and took nearly everything from us. We’re done with that world.”

  Leila paled at his rage. “I had no idea you felt that strongly about it. I’m sorry.”

  Daniel paced the hospital room, frustration at war with tiredness. “Don’t you see Leila? Having our gifts wipe out like they did was a blessing. We can leave all that behind us and focus on our future together. No more fire and ocean and storm smashing through our lives and ruining our every chance at happiness. Why should we get involved in any of it?”

  “I don’t understand,” said Leila. “I thought you’d be happy to see your mother and find her alive, even like this.”

  “She’s not my mother. She’s not even human. Didn’t you see her? She’s got scales for God’s sake Leila. She’s more fish than
woman and she barely remembers who I am. SHE TRIED TO KILL YOU. I’d want to get to know her, if I didn’t think that doing so would probably get us dragged into some Telesā shitstorm of epic proportions. Only this time, neither of us has any powers and so I’ll have to see you die. Again. And I won’t be able to do anything about it. Again.”

  Leila paled at his tirade, but then her eyes narrowed and flashed with fire. “That’s enough. You think you’re the only one who was ‘inconvenienced’ by the Telesā? The only one who had loved ones die by their hand? Do I need to remind you that Nafanua got rid of my brother? Sarona killed my father, and Jason.” Leila’s breath caught on a sob. “He was my friend. He died and it was my fault. I’ll have to carry that with me for the rest of my life. You’re not the only one who bears the burden of guilt Daniel. I have blood on my hands too. As Pele, I did unforgivable things that I can never erase. It doesn’t matter that it was her in charge of my body doing them. I was there alongside her. I saw all of it. And the memories are burned into my brain.”

  Daniel tried to speak, but Leila wouldn’t let him. “No,” she said. “I’m not done. I saw you die too Daniel. I know what that’s like to see the beat of your heart be stilled. The very breath of my being, sucked from my lungs. In that moment I knew I didn’t want to live in a world without you in it. And I was prepared to burn it all down to make them pay for taking you from me. So don’t you talk to me about the ‘burden’ of being Telesā. Because I know it all too well.”

  “I’m sorry Leila,” said Daniel quietly.

  Leila reached up to hold his face in her hands. “I love you. And we’re in this together. Whatever this is. Whether it turns out to be a Telesā shitstorm, or nothing at all. I’m right here with you. And no matter what comes, I know it’ll be alright, as long as we’re together. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Even when I’m being an idiot?” said Daniel with a rueful grin.

  “Especially when you’re being an idiot.”

  They kissed then. Long, lingering and filled with promise, apology and forgiveness.

  “Love you forever,” said Leila.

  “Love you forever plus one,” joked Daniel.

  Leila got serious again. “Which is why I’m going to say something you probably don’t want to hear. Because I love you and because I know what it feels like to lose you. Even if only for a short while. Hear me out, okay?”

  “My mother was a murderous Telesā Matagi, so I know how it feels to have some messed up relatives. It sucks. You have a mother who’s not quite human. We don’t really know what she is. She doesn’t seem to remember much of who she used to be either. All we know is that she’s got scales, swims like a fish, and has these awesome healing powers that she used to save both of us. I understand that’s overwhelming for you. A fish mother. Not only that, but you just found out that your birth father wasn’t the heartless loser that you were led to believe he was. That he loved your mother with all his heart and soul. He’s turning out to be a decent human being and maybe even someone you could see yourself being friends with?”

  Daniel opened his mouth to speak but Leila hushed him with a finger to his lips. “Please let me finish. I promised not to get involved in your dad-drama. I said I wouldn’t be fiapoto and tell you what to do. And that’s what I’ve been trying to do.”

  “There’s a ‘BUT’ coming, isn’t there?” said Daniel.

  Leila continued as if he hadn’t said anything. “But you know what it feels like to lose the one you love. You’ve seen me die. You’ve seen me in danger. And you have literally sacrificed yourself for me.” Tears glistened as Leila took Daniel’s hands in hers. “I know you would do anything for me, to keep me safe. And I hope you know I would do the same for you.”

  Daniel pulled her close then, into an all-consuming embrace. “Shhhh, no more,” he said roughly. “I hate to see you cry.”

  “No, let me finish. Please. I have to do this.”

  “Okay,” said Daniel. He cradled her face in his hands and softly kissed the tears that stained her cheeks. “I’m sorry for hurting you.”

  Leila caught at his hands, “No, it’s not you. I’m crying for Ronan and Moanasina. Don’t you see Daniel? We can’t stand by and not help them to find each other again. Not when we know what it feels like to love and lose one another? You heard him that night. Ronan’s spent the last twenty years in love with the memory of his greatest love. I look at him and the heartache he carries always, and I see you. What you would have become if I had died that night. If Moanasina hadn’t saved me. “

  She gulped a big breath before continuing. “And I look at Moanasina, the ocean spirit that she’s become and I see me. Without you. I would lose myself in Fanua Afi if anything were to take you from me Daniel. Only oblivion, the absence of memory and consciousness, would make existence possible without you.”

  “So what you’re saying is that I need to tell Ronan that she’s alive and what she’s become,” said Daniel quietly.

  “Yes, that’s what I’m saying. And then, we need to help them in any way that we can. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her. I think she’s been watching over you for a long time Daniel. Probably all your life. Even though she may not quite know or understand why she’s doing it. You may deny her as your mother, but don’t deny her as the being who made our love possible.”

  The couple embraced then, finding security and hope in each other. But what neither of them was willing to talk about? Moanasina’s mention of Pele the fire goddess being resident inside Leila. That was a topic they had long ago silently agreed not to touch on. Out of sight, out of mind. Right?

  As if right on cue, Leila’s first early morning visitors, were Ronan and Kirei.

  “I hope we’re not intruding,” said Ronan, holding back and standing in the doorway. “Simone called, said you’d had some trouble with intruders in your home. We just wanted to check on you, make sure you’re both okay…”

  Kirei pushed past him with a basket of fresh fruit. “I wanted to bring you flowers but the shops weren’t open yet. So we stopped at the market. Fruit. And hot panikeke!” She held up a paper bag, oily with fried banana pancakes.

  Leila greeted them warmly but still Ronan held back, guardedly and his eyes were trained on Daniel, as if to ask, ‘Is this okay? I don’t want to overstep…’

  Leila nudged Daniel and he gave the visitors a strained smile. “Of course. Come in. Sit down. Leila’s starving and I know she wants to get started on those panikeke.”

  Kirei was quick to make herself comfortable beside Leila, “Tell me everything about what happened, like, EVERYTHING!”

  Over her shoulder, Leila’s eyes sent Daniel a message. Tell him now. Loudly she said, “Daniel, I’d love some koko with these panikeke. Pleeeease? And Ronan, would you mind going with him? He’s had a long night and I don’t want him falling asleep at the wheel.”

  Just like that, Leila had maneuvered Daniel into a corner of TELL-YOUR-FATHER-EVERYTHING-NOW-DAMMIT.

  The two men walked out together, with Ronan peppering Daniel with questions. How many intruders were there? Did they file a police report? Did they see their faces? Do police have any leads…

  “We didn’t tell the police,” said Daniel. “Do we take my truck, or your car?”

  Ronan stopped in the corridor. “Wait, you didn’t report the break-in? The attack on Leila? Why not?”

  “Because these aren’t the kind of people that police can help with.”

  “So you know them? I understand that you’re afraid for your wife, maybe they threatened you both, but if you don’t report it then they’ll just keep targeting you.” There was concern on Ronan’s face, worry. “How can I help?”

  Tiredness made Daniel sharp. “What do you care anyway? You don’t know us.”

  But if he’d hoped to push Ronan away, it didn’t succeed. The older man just nodded. “That’s fair. I get it you were told that I walked out on your mother. On you. But that was a lie. I would have given m
y life for your mother. She was everything to me. And if I’d known about you Daniel, no ocean could have kept me away from my son.” A deep breath. “I’m here now. How can I help? Who did this to you and Leila?”

  Daniel laughed. It was a joyless sound. “Moanasina. My mother attacked us.”

  And then, amidst the bustle of a hospital waking up, Daniel told his father everything. About Telesā, about him and Leila, and about what Moanasina really was. And when he was done, Ronan stood there shell-shocked. But he didn’t argue or doubt Daniel’s words. It was like they unlocked a sealed box within, of accumulated truths, little details, all the 101 small things that altogether added up to his knowing with utter certainty, that Daniel spoke truth.

  “She’s alive?” asked Ronan. “She’s been alive all this time?” For the first time, Daniel noticed that his father’s eyes burned a deeper darker emerald when he got angry. For the first time, Ronan touched his son. He reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how hard this has been for you. Me showing up, Moanasina doing all this… You’re very strong. I have no right to say this, but I’m proud of you. Your parents, wherever they are, looking down at you, they must be so very proud of the man you’ve become.”

  Daniel gave him a tired smile. “Thank you. Look I’m sorry I’ve been giving you a hard time since you got here. I have to be with Leila right now, but when she’s recovered, I’d like us to talk about this some more. See what we can do.”

  “Of course. You need to take care of your wife. Look, I have to go. I need some air. I need to think,” said Ronan. “Can you tell Kirei I’ll be back?”

  And with that, Ronan left.

  Leila was discharged the next day. Much to Daniel’s disapproval. If he could have had his way, she would have stayed under the doctor’s supervision for a whole week. But Leila was impatient to be home. “In my own bed. My own house!”