“Really?” Kendall blinked. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”
“I use medicine to make people feel better … not lies.”
“Thank you.”
The doctor waved and left the room. Kendall thanked Killiki for helping her, both for rescuing her and for getting the doctor just now.
“I’m happy to be of help,” he said as he pulled a chair next to her bed. “It’s not every day I pull a beautiful mermaid out of the sea.”
Kendall put her good hand on her face. “I’m sure I look like a mess.”
“Not at all.”
“Well, then, as usual, looks are deceiving, because, let me tell you, I am a mess. I may be the worst mess you’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Really?” He leaned over with interest. “How messy are you?”
And so she told him. Without sparing any details, she told him about all the ugly messes she had made in her life. About being a shopaholic, about being in debt, about sleeping with a married man. “Well, I thought they were getting divorced,” she said. “But he was a movie star, so the truth is I might’ve done it anyway just to say that I did it.” She thought for a moment. “But I wouldn’t do it again.”
“See, you must be learning something.”
“But I got pregnant with his baby. And now he hates me. He’s trying to work things out with his wife. He actually accused me of stalking him. Maybe I was. But it didn’t really seem like it then. Still, it probably was. And then I come to Maui and I messed up again.”
Killiki frowned. “Getting hit by a wave wasn’t really your fault.”
“But you see, I am pregnant. What kind of a woman goes out surfing when she’s carrying a baby?”
“A Maui woman.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yeah. My own mother surfed when she was pregnant with me.”
“Really?”
“Totally. That’s why I’m such a good surfer now.”
Kendall smiled. “Okay, so maybe I’m not so messed up about the surfing part. But everything else. Really, I am a mess. Just ask my friends.”
“That’s a good point. You see, I happen to know Lelani. And there aren’t too many women I respect as much as I do her.”
Kendall’s eyes grew wide. “Are you in love with her?”
He laughed. “No, not really. I probably thought I was at one time. Not now.”
“Oh.”
“Anyway, as I was saying, you’re friends with Lelani, right?”
“Yeah. Totally.”
“So, I’m thinking you can’t be too messed up and have a friend like her.”
“Maybe not.” Kendall thought about this. “I actually have two other good friends too.”
“So, see, that tells me you’re not that messed up.”
Kendall considered confessing that she had sort of tricked them into being her friends by renting rooms to them, but decided she should save something for later. If there was a later. And she hoped there would be.
“I see my mermaid is getting sleepy.” He gently pushed some hair away from her face. “Sweet dreams, pretty mermaid.” Then he knelt over and kissed her on the cheek and she felt tingly all over. She intended to have sweet dreams!
Instead, she had a restless night. She was thinking about all the things she had confessed to Killiki. Besides the fact that she’d been dumb-dumb-dumb—although what was new with that?—and had possibly driven away a totally cool guy, she was now painfully aware that she really was a mess. A pathetic, mixed-up, certifiable mess.
Then, for no particular reason, she remembered what that pastor dude on the beach had said about how he liked to go out looking for messed-up people because they were like God’s lost sheep. And, really, wasn’t that her? Wasn’t she more lost than anyone? Was it possible that God was out looking for her?
For the first time since she’d been a little girl, Kendall attempted a prayer. Oh, it wasn’t much of a prayer, and she realized as she was drifting off to sleep that she hadn’t even said amen, although she wasn’t really sure what was up with amen in the first place. But really, what could God expect from a messed-up girl like her? She just hoped he was listening.
To Kendall’s surprised delight, Killiki showed up the next morning. A nurse had just helped Kendall to dress in the yoga sweats and hoodie that one of her friends must’ve dropped by last night, since they’d also left flowers and balloons, probably on their way to the luau, which she had missed. The nurse wheeled her to the entrance, where Lelani was due to pick her up any minute now. But then in walked Killiki, wearing a pale blue shirt and that dazzling smile. And in his hands was a perfect white lei that he tenderly placed around her neck.
“Ooh, that smells yummy,” she told him. “Thanks.”
“I was afraid I wouldn’t get here in time before you left.”
“Yeah, that was close.” Kendall glanced to where Lelani’s silver convertible was pulling up. Gil was driving and Lelani was waving from the passenger side. Apparently her witch mother hadn’t taken away her car privileges yet. “There’s my ride.”
She stood and he gave her his arm. “I know you’re leaving tomorrow,” he said, “but I cannot stop thinking about you.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “There’s an old folktale that says when you rescue a maiden from the sea, she belongs to you.” He kind of laughed. “Okay, I’m not into slavery or anything kinky. But I sort of feel like part of you belongs to me now, Kendall.”
She felt her eyes growing wide. “Really?”
“Did you know your eyes are the color of the ocean on a sunny day?”
She just shook her head.
“Hey, Killiki,” said Lelani as she came over to join them. “What’s up?”
“I’m claiming your friend as my prize,” he grinned.
Kendall laughed. “Yeah, to the winner go the spoils.”
Lelani looked curiously at both of them.
“I feel kind of silly acting like this,” Killiki continued. “In fact, it’s a little out of my comfort zone—I’m not really a nutcase. At least I wasn’t before I rescued you.” He looked nervously at Lelani. “I think Lelani can vouch for my character.”
“That’s true,” said Lelani. “I can vouch for Killiki. He’s a good guy.”
“So, I guess what I’m saying is”—he turned back to Kendall and continued awkwardly—“would you spend some time with me today, before you fly away to the mainland tomorrow? So that we can get to know each other better?” He smiled hopefully. “But I will understand if you think I’m crazy and tell me to go take a hike.”
“No,” said Kendall.
He frowned.
“I mean, no, don’t go take a hike. I do want to get to know you better.” She turned to Lelani. “Do you mind if—”
“Not at all. That is, if you feel up to it. How’s your head doing?” Lelani studied Kendall carefully. “And your arm?”
“I feel fine. And this is my last whole day in Maui. You and the doctor said I’d be able to do stuff.”
Lelani grinned, then turned to Killiki. “Just take it easy, okay? And tell me you’re not on your Harley today.”
He held up his hand like a pledge. “No, of course not.”
“You have a Harley?” Kendall was beaming now.
“Yes. And she’s a beauty, but we won’t be riding her today.”
“You two have fun. And, Killiki, you know where to bring her home, right?”
“You know it.”
Lelani hugged Kendall and whispered in her ear. “Killiki is a really good guy. And by the way, you may have put the fear of God—or maybe the media—into my mother.”
“Really?” Kendall blinked.
Lelani crossed her fingers. “My dad wa
nts to talk to me when I get back home.”
Now Kendall crossed her fingers. Then she waved at Gil and Lelani as they drove off. She wished she knew how to pray better.
“Something wrong?” asked Killiki.
She frowned. “I was just wishing I knew how to pray better. I mean I gave it a try last night, but I’m such a beginner. I wonder how you get really good at something like that.”
His eyes lit up. “You just keep doing it.”
“Do you pray?”
“Oh, yeah. But I never read a book about it. Besides the Bible. Mostly I try to keep it simple. I imagine God as a regular guy like me and I just talk to him normal-like, the same way I’m talking to you.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.”
Kendall smiled. “You’re an interesting guy, Killiki.”
“So, my mermaid, are you ready to roll?”
“You know what they say: Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”
Killiki nodded, then looked serious. “Did Lelani tell you that I’m a plumber?”
“She did.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“I hear that plumbers are highly respected in Maui.”
“You know what they say: When your toilet’s overflowing, there’s no one you’d rather come to your rescue than a plumber.”
Kendall laughed. Wasn’t that the truth!
Twenty-nine
Megan
The Jeep, with Marcus, Megan, Anna, and Edmond, pulled into the driveway right behind the Sebring convertible. Lelani and Gil were just getting out.
“Where’s Kendall?” asked Anna. “I don’t see her in the car.”
“Oh, dear,” said Megan. “I hope her injuries weren’t more serious than they thought.”
“Is Kendall okay?” called Anna as they joined the others.
“Yes.” Lelani actually laughed. “Kendall is even better than okay.”
“Huh?” Megan was confused.
“Her Maui man was there,” said Gil.
“Her Maui man?” Anna frowned.
“The guy who rescued her.” Lelani reached into the car for her bag.
“That still doesn’t explain why she’s not here.” Megan was getting irritated.
“Are you saying Kendall ran off with her Maui Man?” asked Marcus.
“First of all, quit calling him the Maui man.” Lelani poked Gil. “His name is Killiki and he’s a friend of mine.”
“And Killiki took Kendall away somewhere?” Megan was determined to get to the bottom of this.
“Actually, he did take Kendall, for the whole day.”
“Why?” asked Edmond.
“Because he wanted to,” said Lelani. “I think he’s in love with her.”
“They just met,” pointed out Megan.
“Maybe it was love at first sight,” suggested Gil. Then he winked at Lelani like he knew something about this.
“So do we know anything about this guy?” asked Edmond.
Lelani laughed. “You guys! Suddenly you’re all protective of Kendall.”
“Well, she looked like she needed some protection,” said Megan.
“Yeah,” Anna agreed. “Last night she looked kind of pathetic and wiped out. And now you let her run off with some stranger.”
“Killiki is not a stranger.” Lelani held up her hands. “Like I said, he’s my friend. We’ve surfed together for years.”
“A surfing buddy?” Megan frowned. “Is that all you know about him?”
“No. I know that he’s a plumber and—”
“The Maui man’s a plumber?” Marcus started to laugh. “Are you telling us that Kendall has run off with Killiki the plumber?”
Lelani frowned at all of them. “Trust me, Kendall is in good hands. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going inside.”
“Uh-oh,” said Marcus. “Do you think we offended her?”
“I just think she’s nervous,” explained Gil. “Her dad wants to talk with her this morning.”
“Do you think he’s mad about the things that Kendall said to Mrs. Porter?” asked Megan. Lelani had told them the whole story last night.
“I think he’s pretty concerned. The good news is that he wants to speak to Lelani in private—without her mom there.”
“That is good news,” said Megan.
“Unless he plans to read her the riot act and send her packing,” said Edmond.
“She’s already been told to leave,” Megan reminded him.
“So how was the volcano ride?” asked Gil.
“The sunrise was amazing,” Marcus said. “You should’ve seen it.”
“Totally epic,” added Edmond. “Did you know Haleakalā is more than ten thousand feet high? One of the older dudes on the ride actually fainted.”
“I was a little lightheaded myself,” admitted Megan.
“And it was freezing up there,” said Anna. “I mean actually freezing.”
“So are you guys exhausted?” Gil asked.
“It was downhill,” Anna reminded him. “All we had to do, for the most part, was stay on our bikes and coast.”
“So what’s everyone doing today?” Gil glanced back toward the guesthouse as if he was concerned about Lelani.
“We were talking about driving down to Kihei,” Marcus told him. “Want to come?”
“There’s supposed to be an awesome beach down there,” Edmond said.
“Thanks, but I think I should stick with Lelani today.” He frowned. “Especially since we won’t be seeing each other for a while after tomorrow.”
“Maybe we should all stick around,” said Megan.
“I don’t know.” Gil seemed to be weighing this. “I actually think Lelani would feel badly if you gave up your last day to mope around with her. Why don’t you go on down to Kihei and maybe Lelani and I can catch up with you later this afternoon.”
So they agreed that was a good plan, and the girls went inside to get changed out of their biking clothes and gather some things for the beach.
“Did you talk to your dad already?” asked Megan when she found Lelani sitting in the bedroom, staring out the window with an unreadable expression.
“Not yet.”
“Are you okay?”
“Just thinking.”
“About?”
“I guess I’m questioning myself.”
Megan sat down by her. “In what way?”
“You know. About Emma. I’m wondering if it’s wrong for me to take her away from here. I mean she’s got everything she needs. She has a beautiful nursery. A nanny who actually seems fond of her. Private swimming lessons. A lovely yard. Beach within walking distance. How selfish is it for me to take her away from all that?”
Megan considered this. “What do you think is best for Emma?”
“That’s it.” Lelani was actually wringing her hands. “I don’t know for sure.”
“But you do love her?”
“With my whole heart. I know I would do anything for her.”
“But?”
“But I’m just not sure that’s enough.”
Megan didn’t know what to say. So she actually sent up a quick help-me prayer and just waited.
“I work at a department store,” continued Lelani glumly, “and I rent a room in a house. I don’t even own a car. I haven’t finished college. Seriously, am I mad to think I can do this? Am I even thinking of Emma? Or is it just all about me?”
“Okay.” Megan took in a deep breath. “Think about this, Lelani: If you were Emma, which would you choose? Would you want to be raised like a princess with, well, your mother as a mother? Or would you rather be raised by someone like you?”
Lelani didn’t answer.
“Okay, let me say what I would want. And I can say this with confidence because I have a wonderful mother who loves me and forgives me and I would be lost without her. I have to say, if I were Emma, I would pick you for my mommy—hands down.”
Lelani’s eyes were glistening. “Really, you would?”
“Absolutely. Because here’s the deal, Lelani. You are looking at where your life is right now. Sure, it’s not that impressive to work at Nordstrom, rent a room, and all that. But you could finish your degree. You could be a doctor or whatever. You could buy your own home and car if you wanted. Not that those things are going to make Emma any happier than having a devoted, kind, caring mother—one who truly loves her. Honestly, Lelani, what could possibly be better than that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“So don’t sit here doubting yourself. Emma deserves a mother like you.”
“Thanks, Megan.” Lelani sighed. “I needed that.”
“Do you want us to stick around for moral support, because we don’t have—”
“No. I think it would just complicate things. And I’ll have Gil.”
“He said maybe you guys could catch up with us later in the day.”
“That sounds great.”
“I’ll be praying for you,” promised Megan. Then she hugged Lelani. “Somehow this is all going to come out right.”
Lelani nodded, but her eyes were still sad.
The beach in Kihei was nice, but crowded. Even so, the four eventually found a quiet spot, which they claimed. But before long, they all fell asleep. When Megan woke up, she realized that she’d forgotten to put on a new coat of sunscreen, which she’d been wearing religiously since they got here, and now her fair skin was turning pink. She grabbed her bag, noisily dumping it onto her towel, then located the sunscreen and began lathering it on.
“Need some help with that?” asked Marcus quietly.
“Sorry, did I wake you?”
He grinned. “If you haven’t noticed, this is a pretty noisy beach.”
“Want to get my shoulders and back?” She handed him the bottle. Maybe it was prudish, but she usually asked one of the girls to help with this task. For two reasons—one, she didn’t want Marcus to see the freckles on her shoulders. And two, she wasn’t sure she wanted him rubbing her with his hands. She was only human! But just then, she didn’t care. He didn’t seem to mind either.
Spring Broke Page 24
