Over The Crescent Moon

by Karen Badger

  Spencer sat down beside her. “I don’t think I’m good enough to medal—not to mention, being too old—but it keeps me limber. For me, I feel like it helps me move faster during fencing matches.”

  “More power to you,” Makaya replied.

  “How was work today?” Spencer asked.

  “It was okay. We had a preemie born today that had to be confined to the NICU. I think the little sweetheart will make it, but she’s going to be a sick little girl for a while.”

  “I don’t know how you do it, Mak. It would break my heart to be a nurse in the pediatric ward. I’m a sucker when it comes to sick kids.”

  “Some days are harder than others, but overall, I love my job. How was your day?” Makaya asked.

  “Busy. We are in the middle of qualifying the new semiconductor inspection tool. As you know, if we miss even one defect, there is a chance a computer chip will fail in the field. The last thing we need is for one of my tools to cause an air traffic control error. So far, things are going great. Everything appears to be meeting spec,” Spencer explained.

  “You’re cute when you talk geek,” Makaya teased.

  “I’m not a geek…I’m an engineer,” Spencer corrected.

  “No, you are a geek. Changing the subject! Are you ready to go shopping?”

  “Shopping?” Spencer asked.

  “Yes. Remember? We need to find formal outfits to wear to my sister’s wedding in two weeks.”

  “Yikes! Is that only two weeks away?”

  “Yes, and I’m so looking forward to going home for a while. I haven’t been back to Hawai’i in three years.”

  “I’ve never been. I’m looking forward to it too,” Spencer said.

  “You are?” Makaya asked.

  “Yes. I’m looking forward to seeing Hawai’i for the first time—but nervous about meeting your family—also for the first time.”

  “They’re going to love you, even though you are a haole.” Makaya chuckled at her joke.

  “Ha, ha. Very funny!”

  “So, are you ready to go shopping?” Makaya asked.

  “If I have to, but I’m not wearing a dress.”

  “No worries. I bet you look amazing in a suit.”

  “That, I can do, but how do you think your family will deal with it?”

  “My family has known where my heart lies since I was a teen. They will expect no less. Don’t worry so much. It’ll be fine.”

  “I’m glad the wedding is in October. It will be nice to spend time in warmer weather for a little longer before winter hits us here in Vermont.”

  “It’s always summer in Hawai’i. You’ll love it there.”

  Spencer stood and offered her arm. “Okay, then. Let’s go shopping!”

  ***

  Spencer enjoyed looking at the plush green foliage as the plane made its approach toward Lihue International Airport on Kauai. “What town does your family live in?” she asked.

  Makaya leaned across Spencer to look out the window. “Princeville. It will be about a forty-five minute drive from the airport.”

  “We’re getting a rental car, right?”

  “I’m hoping to get a four-wheel drive vehicle. Maybe even a Jeep. There’s a ton of off-road trips we can make on the island,” Makaya explained.

  “Cool!”

  “I’m glad we were both able to get two weeks off from work. You can see the whole island in a week, but to enjoy it, you need to stay longer.”

  Makaya noticed that Spencer’s leg bounced up and down. She placed her hand on Spencer’s knee. “You know, you don’t have anything to worry about. They’re going to love you.”

  “Am I that transparent?”

  “Like glass.”

  “I can’t help it. I don’t want anything to come between us, and families have a way of doing that. Know what I mean?”

  Makaya moved her hand to the side of Spencer’s face. “Nothing is going to come between us. You are stuck with me—you got that? I would be lost without you. I love you, Spence, and nothing is going to separate us. Okay?”

  Spencer smiled. “Okay. I’ll try to relax.”

  “Thank you, love. Aloha, and welcome to Hawai’i,” Makaya said as the wheels touched the runway.

  ***

  “This is freaking amazing!” Spencer hung out the Jeep window and took in the topology of Kauai as Makaya drove. “I’ve never seen trees shaped that way before. They look like tall bonsai trees. Oh, and wow! Look at that waterfall there!”

  Makaya leaned forward to look out the windshield. “It’s funny—this just looks like home to me. I guess you don’t appreciate what is in front of you every day. It’s refreshing to see it through your eyes.”

  “I read that parts of Jurassic Park were filmed here,” Spencer said.

  “Yes. In fact, scenes from lots of movies were filmed here. If we have time, I’ll take you around to see a few of the sites.”

  “The wedding is just a day away, so we should have two weeks to enjoy the island,” Spencer pointed out.

  “True, but we’ll need to spend time with my family.” Makaya saw Spencer wince. “I saw that. Relax. I promise it’ll be fine.”

  “So, besides sight-seeing, what else is there to do on the island?” Spencer asked.

  “Are you kidding me? What is there not to do? Surfing, hiking, zip-lining, fishing, boating, para-sailing, water skiing…”

  “Water skiing? That sounds fun. I’ve done some of that on Lake Champlain,” Spencer said.

  Makaya laughed. “Sweetheart, water skiing on a small fresh-water lake is nothing like water skiing in the ocean. My older brother has a motorboat and skis. I’ll set it up with him right after the wedding.”

  “I’m looking forward to it!”

  ***

  “Mama, this is Spencer. Spencer, my mom, Alani.”

  Spencer shook the older woman’s hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Kapule.”

  Alani squeezed Spencer’s hand and pulled her close. “Do you love my daughter?” she asked.

  Spencer’s eyes opened wide and she sent a desperate glance in Makaya’s direction. “Ah, as a matter of fact, yes, I do. With all my heart,” she replied.

  “Then you may call me Makuahine,” Alani said.

  “Makuahine?” Spencer asked.

  “It means, ‘mother’.”

  Spencer grinned. “Makuahine, it is, then.”

  Alani kissed her on both cheeks and then released her hand.

  Makaya took Spencer’s hand and led her toward an older gentleman. “And this is my father, Kaapo.”

  Spencer shook his hand. Like his wife, he held Spencer’s hand for an extended period of time.

  Kaapo nodded toward his wife and grinned. “Don’t let her scare you. Her bark is worse than her bite.”

  Spencer smiled. “Thank you, sir. It’s so nice to meet you.”

  “This is my brother, Kaarle, my sister-in-law, Nayla, and their children, my niece, Paulapula and nephew, Pace.”

  Kaarle extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Spencer. We’re looking forward to spending time with you. Anyone who can put up with my sister is okay in my book.”

  Makaya punched Kaarle in the shoulder. “Shut up! You’ll pay for that later.”

  “Makaya tells me you’re a boater,” Spencer said.

  “Yes. I’d be happy to take you out while you’re here. Do you water ski?” Kaarle asked.

  “I have, but as Makaya likes to point out, my experience is limited to small lakes. I welcome the challenge of water skiing in the ocean.”

  “It’s a date, then.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Moving on,” Makaya said. “This is my baby sister, and the bride to be, Maarika.”

  Maarika threw herself into Spencer’s arms before she could offer her hand. Spencer glanced over Maarika’s shoulder to Makaya and smiled and then wrapped her arms around Maarika’s waist for a hug.

  Maarika stepped back and grinned. “Hi, Spencer. I�
��m so glad you and Mak could make it for the wedding. You’ll meet Kadir tomorrow. Mama insists that we stay apart for a few days before the ceremony. Some tradition, I guess. Anyway, it would not have been the same without Mak here, so thanks for coming with her.”

  “I’m happy to be here,” Spencer said.

  Makaya took Spencer’s hand. “Okay, now that you’ve met everyone, let’s get you settled in your room. Grab your bag.”

  Spencer picked up her bag and allowed Makaya to drag her toward a staircase, out of earshot of her family. “My room?” she asked.

  “Ah, yeah. I forgot to tell you. Mom has a problem with pre-marital co-habitation.”

  Spencer stopped short. “She does know we live together, right?”

  Makaya looked at the floor and remained silent.

  “Mak? She knows we live together—right?” Spencer repeated.

  “Well…”

  “Wait. Are you telling me we need to spend the next two weeks sleeping in separate rooms?”

  “As far as Mom is concerned, yes. I’m supposed to be bunking with Maarika tonight. After the wedding, Maarika will be moving to Kadir’s house, so that opens her room for me to use solo.”

  Makaya saw the grimace on Spencer’s face. “Don’t fret. Maarika and I already have it worked out. I’ll make a point of letting mom see me go into Maarika’s room and then sneak into your room after they go to bed.”

  “Your sister has agreed to lie for you?”

  “Of course. That’s what sisters are for.”

  “Geez Louise! This is going to be an interesting trip.”

  Chapter 3

  Spencer sat next to Makaya in the first row of reserved seats beside Makaya’s parents. She looked around with great interest at the venue.

  The wedding was being held on the beach of an upscale Princeville resort. Rows of folding chairs were placed neatly in front of a large circle of flowers on the beach. The same flower decorated an arched trellis that hovered above the circle of flowers in the sand. Leis were draped over the back of each chair.

  Makaya slipped her hand into Spencer’s as her sister Maarika, and soon to be brother-in-law Kadir, strode slowly toward one another from opposite ends of the beach. Maarika was dressed in a flowing white dress, with a white cord around her waist. A ring of flowers graced her head in place of a traditional veil. Her long black hair hung loosely down her back. Kadir was dressed in white trousers with the cuffs rolled half-way up his calves. He wore a white short-sleeve button-up shirt and a red sash around his waist. Both were barefoot. Once they reached the circle of flowers, Kadir offered his hand to Maarika, and together, they stepped into the circle.

  Makaya looked at Spencer and smiled. “She looks beautiful.”

  Spencer held Makaya’s gaze as an intense feeling consumed her. All she wanted was to surround herself in the love she saw in Makaya’s eyes and to stay there for all eternity.

  Their attention was soon drawn to the minister performing the wedding ceremony.

  “Welcome family and friends of Maarika and Kadir. There are leis on the backs of your chairs. Please take a moment to don this symbol of love and respect.” The minister waited for his instructions to be carried out before he handed leis to the bride and groom.

  “Maarika and Kadir, the lei is an unbroken circle that represents your commitment and love for one another. Like a wedding ring, it is unending, with no beginning and no end. Each flower is beautiful on its own, but when it becomes part of the lei, its beauty is enhanced and becomes stronger because of the bond—just as the two of you will become stronger through the bond of marriage. You may now share your lei with your beloved.”

  The minister turned to all in attendance. “Aloha to Maarika and Kadir…and to all our guests. As you know, Aloha means both hello and goodbye. With respect to this joyous occasion, we are saying goodbye to the single life and hello to married life for Maarika and Kadir.

  “In ancient Hawai’i, when a man was interested in courting a woman, he would approach her with a flower. If she accepted the flower and put it on her left ear, it would mean that she was already spoken for; however, if she put it over her right ear, it was a clear message that she was still available, and interested in a relationship.”

  The minister retrieved a large flower from the small table beside him and offered it to Kadir. Kadir smiled broadly at Maarika and handed the flower to her. Maarika grinned mischievously and started to place the flower on her left ear. “Just kidding!” she said, and then placed it on her right ear.

  The audience laughed and clapped loudly.

  “Phew! That was a close one,” the minister said. “Aloha, Maarika and Kadir!”

  Makaya leaned in to whisper in Spencer’s ear. “She’s such a scamp! I’m not surprised she’d pull something like that.”

  “I think it’s sweet,” Spencer said. “She reminds me of someone else I know.”

  Their attention was soon drawn back to the minister.

  “It is now time to exchange rings.” The minister retrieved a small bowl made of dark wood, from the table beside him and walked to the ocean’s edge to fill it with saltwater. He carried it back to the congregation and then dropped a leaf into the water in the bowl. “Koa is a valuable hardwood that represents strength and integrity, which are two of the fundamental foundations of a good marriage. The Ti leaf represents prosperity, health and blessings for the body, mind and spirit.”

  The minister placed the bride’s ring in Kadir’s hand and the groom’s ring in Maarika’s hand and then proceeded to sprinkle the water on the rings three times. “This water washes away any hindrance to your marriage. It also represents a brand new beginning for you as husband and wife.” The minister then held his hands over the rings and chanted, “Ei-Ah Eha-No. Ka Malohia Oh-Na-Lani. Mea A-Ku A-Pau. May peace from above rest upon you and remain with you now and forever.” He turned to the bride and groom. “You may now exchange rings.”

  Spencer glanced at Makaya as Maarika and Kadir exchanged rings, and noticed a small tear escape the corner of her eye. A magical look of love and bliss for her baby sister was clearly evident on her face. Again, intense emotion overcame Spencer and she had to fight back tears of her own.

  Suddenly, a gentle gust of wind ruffled Spencer’s hair. When she looked at Makaya again, there were tears openly flowing down her face.

  “Makaya?” Spencer asked.

  “They’re here,” Makaya whispered.

  “They’re here? Who’s here?”

  “The Ohana. The ancestral family. They have arrived on the wind to give their blessing and support.”

  The minister once again took center stage. “Family and friends, I give you Maarika and Kadir. Joined as one in love. Aloha, one and all.”

  The congregation erupted in applause and guests and family greeted the newlyweds with warm hugs and well wishes, after which, Spencer, Makaya and Makaya’s parents stood aside and waited for the greetings to finish before heading to the reception. Spencer found herself feeling a bit overwhelmed by the event.

  “What an amazing ceremony. We should come back here for our wedding,” Spencer said.

  Makaya cocked her head and raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Spencer Bennet! Did you just propose to me?”

  A momentary rush of panic filled Spencer’s mind as she realized she did indeed just propose. Funny thing was…she liked the idea. “Ah, I guess I did.”

  Makaya continued to stare at Spencer with a look of incredulity on her face.

  Alani elbowed Makaya in the ribs.

  “Ow, Mom! What was that for?”

  “Makemake au i kēia. Mai kuhi oe i ka naaupo. E haʻi aku iā ia.”

  “What did she say?” Spencer asked.

  Makaya laughed. “She said she likes you. She also said I would be a fool if I didn’t say yes.”

  Spencer grinned at Alani and then turned her attention back to Makaya. “Do you always do what your mother says?”

  “I do when her advice is good.”


  “And is her advice good this time?”

  “Her advice is very good this time.”

  Spencer reached forward and plucked a flower from Makaya’s lei and handed it to her. “So, you’ll marry me?”

  Makaya looked at the flower in her hand for several moments without speaking.

  Alani elbowed Makaya in the ribs once more.

  “Again, Mom? Okay…okay!” Makaya looked at Spencer and then slowly placed the flower on her right ear. “Yes, I will marry you.”

  Spencer opened her arms and wrapped them around Makaya. “Thank you, love.”

  “E hoʻomaikaʻi iā Pele! I kēia manawa,ʻaʻohe ponoʻoe e komo i loko o ka lumi o Spencer i ka pō. Loaʻa iaʻu kuʻuʻae,” Alani said, and then walked away toward the reception.

  “Oh, my God, Mom!” Makaya exclaimed. She covered her face with both hands to hide the red hue rapidly growing there.

  Spencer held Makaya at arm’s length. “What did she say?”

  “She said—and I quote—’Praise Pele! Now that it’s official, you don’t have to sneak into Spencer’s room at night. You have my permission.’”

  Spencer looked at the retreating back of her future mother-in-law. “Praise Pele, indeed!”

  Chapter 4

  Makaya stood in the back of the boat and leaned across the motor. “Are you sure you want to do this, Spencer? This isn’t Lake Champlain, you know,” she called out.

  Spencer held the handle of the towrope firmly in her hands. She bobbed up and down in the water behind Kaarle’s boat, keeping the tips of her skis above the water, with the towrope between them. Whitecap waves struck her in the face repeatedly.

  “Don’t baby her, Mak,” Kaarle said. He moved the boat slowly forward to take the slack out of the rope. “She’s a big girl. She’s wearing her lifejacket and goggles. She’ll be fine once she’s out of the water and on the skis.”

  “Kaarle, you don’t understand. Lake Champlain is a relatively small freshwater lake. These whitecaps are at least five times higher than what’s she’s used to.”