Kaua'i Me a River

by JoAnn Bassett

  “She said she’d be on the opposite side from Pavilions, near the lifeguard shack. That would be about where we’re standing now.”

  “Since she’s got a bunch of kids to corral she’s probably running a little late,” I said. In the spirit of ‘it’s Farrah’s big day’ I wouldn’t dream of mentioning she hadn’t been on time for much of anything since the third grade.

  Hatch’s truck pulled into view. When he parked, it was like watching a clown act as more and more people climbed out. First Farrah and the baby got out of the cab. They were followed by Hatch and a fireman friend of his. Then the twins’ mother emerged dragging a diaper bag. In the open bed of the truck, Rain and Echo began climbing out over the sides. Farrah went to help, but she had her hands full with Moke.

  I ran over and unlatched the tailgate. Hatch came up behind me.

  “Uh, thanks,” he said. “I’ve got it.” He plucked one little girl and then the other from the truck bed.

  They scampered off and he turned to me. “Wow, I’d almost forgotten what you look like. Did your chauffeur drop you off?”

  “Please don’t start,” I said. “Today is so important to Farrah. Can we can talk later?”

  “Fine by me. But who knows? Donald Trump may show up and, uh, trump me. Do you and ‘the Donald’ have any financial tips you want to share with a lowly hose jockey?” He smiled, but there was more hurt in his voice than humor.

  “Okay, I’d hoped we could talk about this later, but I’ll give you the punch line now. I’m not taking the money. I’ve got seven brothers and sisters who want it a heckuva lot more than I do.”

  “Is it really thirty mil?”

  “No, more like ten or twelve. But the will’s in probate and the estate’s got to be liquidated so it’ll take months, maybe a year, to know how much.”

  “Then what’s the rush? Maybe you should wait and see how you feel when it’s a done deal before you go giving it away.”

  “That’s why I didn’t say anything. I don’t want to feel pressured to—”

  Steve yelled that he needed us for pictures and I waved. “Be right there.”

  I turned to Hatch. “Before this gets underway, I want to apologize one more time for missing your awards banquet,” I said. “I got so caught up with my family stuff, I haven’t been able to think straight.”

  “No need to apologize. I’m sorry if I acted like a jerk. And I’m real sorry about what happened to your mom. It sucks.”

  “It does.”

  “Did you find out any more?” he said.

  “Yeah. I’ll tell you about it later.”

  He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “Okay, you got it. But now we’ve got to go smile for the camera. This is Farrah and Shadow’s day.”

  “Shadow? Oh yeah, I’d forgotten her name.”

  “She probably made it up,” he said. “But I’ve noticed around here that bogus names are the norm rather than the exception.”

  Touché, Mr. Decker.

  A huge crowd gathered on the beach and a kahuna arrived to give the blessing. The guy had to weigh two-fifty, maybe three hundred, pounds. When he finished, he announced it was time for the baptism. Farrah and Shadow followed him to the waterline. He reached down and dipped his hand in the surf and turned toward the twins. The little girls’ eyes were locked on each other as the kahuna trickled drops on their heads and chanted in Hawaiian. He turned to Shadow and she clarified which name went with each girl. The kahuna nodded and repeated the names while the girls hid behind their hands trying to conceal giggles.

  Then it was Farrah’s turn. She was wearing her favorite billowy lavender caftan. As she clutched the baby on the windswept beach it seemed as if she might get caught in a gust and become airborne like the kite-surfers out on the horizon.

  Once again the kahuna chanted and put his hand in the surf. He dribbled water on the baby’s head while saying his name. Moke’s eyes went wide from the shock of the cold water but he didn’t make a sound.

  The crowd whistled and applauded and the kahuna thanked everyone for coming. Then Hatch invited the entire crowd over to his place for beer and food.

  ***

  When the keg was empty and the last of the stragglers had headed home, I started picking up trash and stuffing it in black plastic bags. Steve had driven Farrah and Moke to her apartment and Shadow and the girls had gone to bed in Hatch’s guest bedroom.

  I was tying off a bag when I felt strong arms encircling me from behind.

  “I sure hope this is Hatch,” I said, “Because I’m not in the mood for a big kahuna love blessing tonight.”

  He laughed. “Hey, don’t knock it ‘til you try it.”

  I turned and looked into his face. It felt so good to gaze into those familiar warm brown eyes and take in that cocky grin. “I’ve missed you,” I said.

  “I’ve missed you too. You know, I have a houseful of girls but I’ve never felt more alone.”

  “Maybe it’s because half of your ‘girls’ were under five, and the other half were busy being mommys.”

  “Could be. I like family life, but this past week it wasn’t my family. You know what I’m saying?”

  I nodded.

  “So, we’re good?” I said. “I mean, I know I’ve been neglecting you lately but ever since we went to Kaua'i it’s been one thing after another.”

  He took the trash bag out of my hand and put an arm around my shoulder. “We’re good. C’mon, let’s go sit on the lanai. I’ve got work in the morning, but I’d like you to catch me up on everything.”

  I told him about Peggy getting drunk and dying in a car wreck. I told him when I went over to get my birth certificate I’d learned my mom and dad had been married. Then I launched into the full story about how my mom died.

  “So, this thirty-year-old your dad married knew the whole story?” he said.

  “Apparently. I guess at the end my dad felt bad about everything. I mean, he never got in touch with me. And he married the sister of the guy who killed my mom. The whole situation is weird.”

  “At least now you know,” he said.

  “Well, I don’t know everything. I know AJ was involved, but who was the other guy?”

  “Does it matter? It doesn’t change the outcome.”

  “True,” I said. “But as you know, there’s no statute of limitations on murder. If I can find the other guy I may have a witness.”

  “Yeah, but be careful. You’re talking about a killer and a reluctant witness. Don’t expect the guilty party to come clean, and don’t expect the witness to talk, even after all this time.”

  He slapped his hands on his knees. “But hey, enough about that. Do you want to see my rookie award?”

  He went in the house and brought out a citation written in fine calligraphy. It bore an official-looking gold seal and it was framed in an expensive-looking koa-wood frame.

  “Wow, this didn’t come out of a computer,” I said.

  “Nope, it’s the real deal. I wish you could’ve been there. It was great. If I ever had second thoughts about switching careers, I don’t anymore.”

  I hugged him. “I’m so proud of you. I’m sorry my messy life got in the way of me being there.”

  “Yeah, well just so you’re there when I make fire chief. I’ll order Cristal champagne, and I’m gonna put it on your tab.” He laughed.

  “About the money—”

  The screen door creaked open and Shadow came out on the porch. She wore a clingy tissue-thin camisole, red bikini underpants, and a scowl. She stepped in front of Hatch and crossed her arms but it was too late for me to erase the image of her high firm breasts and erect nipples. “Hatch, don’t you have to be at work in the morning?”

  “Uh, I guess.” He looked over at me. Even in the feeble glow of the porch light I spotted the shame in his eyes.

  “Well, then I think you’d better come to bed,” she said. She reached out and touched a fingertip to his lips. “I’ve been waiting.”

  She shot me a s
mug look and then flounced back inside the house.

  “I better go,” I said. I was up and off the lanai in four strides.

  Hatch got up. “Hey, I’m sorry you saw that. She promised me she’d cool it when you were here. But I can’t—”

  “Do us both a favor, Hatch, and go inside. I’ll get a ride home from Steve.”

  “But Pali…”

  I headed down the moonlit driveway and never looked back.

  CHAPTER 27

  As I worked the keypad on the gate, I heard the screen door slam. I called Steve. Since it was Saturday night I was pretty sure he’d probably gone to the Ball and Chain after dropping off Farrah.

  “Hey, Pali,” he said, answering just before it would’ve gone to voicemail.

  I stuttered out his name. My throat was barely allowing enough air to pass to speak.

  “Are you okay?” he said. “Can you hear me?”

  “Yeah,” I managed. “Would you mind picking me up?”

  “Where are you?”

  “At Hatch’s.”

  “And Hatch can’t take you home because…?” He seemed to put two and two together pretty fast. “Uh-oh, did something bad happen?”

  “Yep,” I said.

  “I’m leaving right now.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be outside by the gate.”

  I paced along the ornate wrought-iron gate outside the compound. After what seemed like a half-mile of pacing, I saw the headlights on Steve’s Jetta come into view. The lights looked smeary. I guess I’d been crying.

  “What happened?” said Steve.

  “I found out why Hatch was so eager to take in Shadow.”

  “What?”

  I told him about Shadow slinking out on the lanai and Hatch admitting they’d been sleeping together.

  “He came right out and owned up?”

  “He said he’d told her to ‘cool it’ when I was around. And then he acted guilty as hell that he’d gotten caught.”

  “Wow, that sure doesn’t sound like Boy Scout Hatch. I mean, a homeless teenager with three kids?” said Steve. “Yikes.”

  “Well, technically she just has two kids now since she’s handed Moke over to Farrah. Hatch told me he was enjoying ‘family life.’ And, you know, maybe I’m partially to blame. I haven’t been much of a girlfriend for the past couple of weeks.”

  “OMG, listen to yourself. Don’t even try to get me to believe you think this is okay, because it’s not. For a whole raft of reasons.”

  “Yeah, but we both know how much Hatch loves to save people,” I said. “Why do you think they made him Rookie of the Year?”

  ***

  I woke up on Sunday and it took me a minute to remember what’d happened the night before. I headed to the kitchen for coffee before even running a brush through my hair.

  “Uh-oh, looks like someone’s already letting herself go,” said Steve. “Here.” He handed me a huge mug of black coffee.

  “Cream? Sugar?” I said.

  “It’s just fat and carbs, hon. You really need to steer clear of that stuff now that you’re back on the market.”

  I pushed him aside and rummaged through the refrigerator. I grabbed the creamer and slammed it down on the counter.

  “Excuse me, I need to get to the sugar,” I said, wagging a finger at the cabinet behind him. “I’d suggest you step aside. This is not a good morning to get between me and my vices.”

  He took a giant step sideways. “I predict in six months you’ll have ten million reasons you’ll be glad you’re rid of Hatch Decker. Maybe more.”

  “Don’t take any bets on that because, more than ever, I’ve decided there’s no way I’m taking that money. You know what they say, money changes everything.”

  “Oh yeah, like you couldn’t use a few changes in your life? How about getting a decent set of wheels? That thing you call a car is more rust than metal. And how great would it be to pay off this house and not sweat the mortgage every month? Think about it, Pali, you could buy a new house. An enormous mansion down at the beach.”

  “I don’t want an enormous mansion. I want things to go back to the way they were. Before I found out my dad was a rich jerk and my mom was bashed in the head with a baseball bat. I should never have gone to Kaua'i. I should’ve done like wife number five and just not shown up.”

  Steve rubbed his thumb and fingertips together. “You may not realize it now, but if you’ll just allow yourself to embrace the Paris Hilton lifestyle I’m sure you’d come to love it. It’s time to let go of the old to make room for the new.”

  I dragged myself back to the bathroom for a shower. I’d convinced myself I didn’t want Phil’s money, but maybe Steve had a point. A fresh start. I liked the sound of that.

  ***

  After a slovenly Sunday I made myself go to work on Monday. I might be an ‘heiress-in-waiting’ but the ‘in-waiting’ part reminded me I still needed to book a few weddings for the foreseeable future.

  I fiddled around on my website and put up an ad offering a twenty-percent discount to couples who booked within the next month. It took me longer than I’d expected and soon my stomach was growling. I saved the changes and went next door to the Gadda to get something to eat. I considered grabbing a yogurt, then nixed that idea. Nope, what I wanted was some Little Debbie’s. I hadn’t eaten a Little Debbie’s Devil Square since college. We used to call them ‘dorm crack.’

  As usual, Farrah was busy with a customer when I came in. She had Moke crammed into a baby sling across her breast, and although I’d never say it, she looked kind of kangaroo-ish. I waited until she was free and then I plunked a white box of Devil Squares on the counter.

  “You sure you don’t want to reconsider?” she said. “You know, they don’t call them ‘Devil’ Squares for nothing.”

  “One-hundred-percent sure.”

  “Well, do you have a permission slip from Sifu Doug? I don’t want him calling the cops and accusing me of aiding and abetting.”

  “Just ring ‘em up, okay?”

  She punched in the sale on her ancient cash register and then hesitated before handing over my change.

  “Something’s wrong, isn’t it? she said. “Is it Hatch?”

  “You’re the psychic.”

  She glowered at me.

  “Okay, I really don’t want to get into it, but it seems Hatch is having a fling with Shadow.”

  “No way.”

  “Way.” I told her about Shadow modeling her lingerie for us on Saturday night.

  “That doesn’t mean anything.”

  “She ordered him to come to bed. Said she was waiting for him. And then he apologized by saying he’d told her to ‘cool it’ when I was around.”

  Farrah bit her lip. “I’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise.”

  I took my Little Debbie booty back to my shop, hoping to pass the afternoon in a chocolate and sugar haze. The mail had been pushed through the mail slot and I picked it up. I ripped the plastic wrap off a Devil Square and started munching while I sorted the catalogs and brochures from the few pieces of first class mail. There were two white envelopes. One had the Hawaii Department of Vital Records as the return address. I slit it open, then wiped my sticky hands on a tissue before removing what was inside.

  Each of the two pages in the envelope bore the Hawaii State Seal. The top sheet was my mother’s death certificate. It was typed in all caps, which made it feel like someone was shouting. My breathing gave a little hitch when I noted the date and time she’d been pronounced, and then it hitched again when I read the cause of death—cerebral hemorrhage.

  “True,” I whispered. “But not the whole truth, so help me God.”

  I thought about how, sooner or later, I was going to have to call Jeff and tell him what I’d learned. That our mom had been brutally murdered and justice had been denied her for over thirty years. I wasn’t looking forward to that conversation.

  The second sheet was my mom’s marriage certificate. It was on light green sa
fety paper with a watermark to help detect copies or forgeries. I was startled to read the date and realize she’d been married just weeks before she died. But then I read further. I read and re-read one line since it seemed my eyes were playing tricks on me. Then I dropped the certificate on the desk and stared out the window.

  Like it or not, I had to go back to Kaua'i.

  CHAPTER 28

  I called the airlines and booked a flight for the next morning. I’d be taking a carry-on bag because this time I wouldn’t be coming home until I’d cut through all the lies. Then I called Sunny.

  “I’ve got a few days off and I’d like to come for a visit,” I said. “Is it okay if I stay at your place?”

  “You’re always welcome,” she said, but her tone was wary. “When were you planning to come?”

  “Tomorrow.” I figured I better offer some explanation. “Yeah, things with my boyfriend are kind of tense. I thought maybe a few days apart might help.”

  “When are you arriving? I’ll send Timo down to get you.”

  “Mahalo, but I think I’ll rent a car. I’d like to take some drives; maybe go to the beach for an afternoon.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  I folded up my mother’s death and marriage certificates and slipped them in my purse. Then I locked up the shop and drove home. No sense hanging around pretending I was working. My mind was already on Kaua'i.

  ***

  On Tuesday morning I caught the eight-fifteen direct into Lihue. I rented the most inconspicuous car on the lot—a silver-gray Ford Focus. Before going to Sunny’s I stopped at the police station on Ka’ana Street.

  A handsome wet-behind-the-ears duty clerk greeted me and asked what he could do for me. I considered a politically incorrect remark but stifled it. If I was going to get what I’d come for, I needed to play it straight.

  “I’m here about an incident that happened thirty years ago,” I said. “On the North Shore.”

  “That was a long time ago.”

  We held each other’s gaze and I was pretty sure he was thinking what I was thinking, before he was even born.

  “I know. But I’m not talking about a parking ticket or littering,” I said. “I’m here regarding an unsolved murder.”