by MJ Brannigan
“Oh, I totally forgot!” Kamea widened her eyes. “Rebecca, do you have anyone else here expecting you?” she asked, feeling silly that perhaps this lady has a family or friends looking for her, waiting for her somewhere. She knew nothing about her; where she was from, how long she was staying here.
“No,” Rebecca replied. “I came here by myself to…” she trailed off, looking down at the sand she was pushing around between her feet.
“That doesn’t matter right now,” she continued. “I’m here by myself,” she said, lifting her head and straightening her spine, sitting more erect as if defying something or someone unseen.
“Well, you can hang with me as long as you like,” Kamea said. “We’ll get you patched up at the clinic, cleaned up and into some dry clothes too. Did you have something planned for today, other than your morning swim?” Kamea winked and smiled in a good-natured tease, hoping Rebecca wouldn’t mind her joke.
“I just got here yesterday,” Rebecca replied, smiling back. “Two weeks of no plans but to see the island and relax.”
“Good... I think.” Kamea looked back and forth between Lealu and JonJon. “Do you have any family you need to get a hold of? You gonna be here over Thanksgiving then?”
That’s when Rebecca reached into her pocket and pulled out a dripping smart phone she had forgotten was there. “Good thing,” she said with a sigh, and a slow shake of her head. “No one to get a hold of either, even if I could right now. Yes, I wanted to be away for Thanksgiving this year... It’s a long story.” Her shoulders sank, and her back slouched as she said it.
“Well, it’s still early, and we’re gonna be friends, I can tell,” Kamea responded with a little pout of concern. “You can fill me in—or not. Up to you.”
“Thanks.”
“K den, let’s get you to Paia. It’s close by—up the road a piece. Where ya stayin’? What hotel?”
“A little B&B in Haiku; the Zen one,” she replied.
“Nice! Nice and peaceful there—lush too. You got a pretty place. Good people in that community.”
Kamea took in Rebecca’s answers—where she was staying, that she was here on her own, as well as her body language—and knew Rebecca wasn’t a typical tourist. Rebecca was most likely here to do a little soul-searching. Maybe she was here to heal from something, to get away from something or someone? She seemed like a genuine and kind person. And… a rainbow had shown Kamea how to find her.
Auntie and her visions, Kamea thought. She had said something about following a rainbow not that long ago. Why was this woman here, she wondered? And what did her being here have to do with me?
CHAPTER 4 - REBECCA
The ride into Paia was a blur for Rebecca. It was as though a movie had been unfolding before her, thrusting her into being a moment-by-moment observer of her life; mindful, rather than an unwitting participant. The sights and sounds came at her too fast, her senses overwhelmed on top of the morning’s events, as the landscape and shoreline rushed past the open windows of Kamea’s truck.
The nurses and doctors on staff were kind. It was reassuring when they didn’t treat her like some silly tourist who hurt herself doing something stupid. Rather, they attended to her as someone who mattered. Is everyone like this here? she wondered. They seemed intent on making her laugh, to take her mind off what had just happened. The safe feeling helped to heal her in more ways than just the patched cuts and bruises.
Four small stitches at her hairline kept the wound from any further bleeding. The cuts and scrapes were cleaned once again, and fresh bandages were applied where needed. Return in two days, they told her, to let them check on her scrapes—sooner, if she noticed any dizziness, or if her cuts and scrapes weren’t healing well.
Kamea had yet another cousin at the clinic: a chubby and sweet little nurse named Aheahe, whose name meant gentle breeze. Her laughter and good nature made the name seem fitting to Rebecca.
She couldn’t help but ask about their names, since Hawaiian names seemed something one would almost sing instead of say. That’s when she learned Kamea meant precious one. And that couldn’t have been more fitting, in Rebecca’s mind.
Everything seemed otherworldly here—the beauty of everything so enhanced; the people, the land, and sea. Words were like song, and every word-sound seemed to rise from deeper down rather than just one’s throat. A person saying Hawaiian words almost had to speak them from their heart center instead.
She was sure her near-death experience had much to do with how she was processing everything. But being next to Kamea—on the kayak, in the truck, at the clinic, and now en route to her room at the B&B—was comforting in a way she had not known before.
The layer of fresh gravel crunched under the truck tires as they pulled into the small parking area, announcing their arrival to the man sweeping the porch just ahead. A lush green canopy surrounded the driveway and parking lot, and when the key turned to silence the engine, Rebecca sat in the quiet and watched the light sway of the branches dancing on the breeze, the banana fronds seeming to wave at her, standing in erect bunches next to the white-sided cottage. She closed her eyes to listen to the breeze through the canopy and felt the light play of its caress on her cheek.
“I’ll wait out here while you clean up and change,” Kamea said, hands still on the wheel. “You feel okay?” she asked, reaching to place her hand on top of Rebecca’s forearm.
“Yes,” Rebecca answered, opening her eyes and bringing her attention back to Kamea, then patting the top of Kamea’s hand in response. “Kind of funny, though, like I’m getting some sort of sensory overload. Probably just the adrenaline, aye?”
“Maybe,” Kamea replied. “But you’re on Maui now. Things are gonna be much different from back home. It’s magic here. We like to say it’s the heart of the world. You’ll feel a lot during the next few weeks if you let yourself be open to it. No worries, though. Just tell me if you feel funny in a sick or painful way, ‘kay?”
“You’re probably right. It is a lot to take in all at once—all this beauty. And it’s so different from back home, especially this time of year.”
“Where is home, by the way? Sorry for not having asked before,” Kamea said.
“Detroit—well, a few miles outside Detroit—in the suburbs. But it’s already cold and gray there. Winds were icy, and it was snowing sideways when I left home for the airport the other morning.”
“Ugh! I couldn’t take the cold. No way. I get chicken skin when it gets down to seventy degrees!” Kamea said, laughing.
“Chicken skin?” Rebecca had a puzzled expression at the phrase.
“Oh—you call it goose bumps. But nobody eats Nene here—our geese. We do eat chicken though.”
“Oh, I get it,” Rebecca nodded and smiled. “Well, let me get in, get a quick shower and change. I won’t be too long—promise. I wish I didn’t have to put you out like this, take up all your time.”
Kamea just looked at her, tilting her head, her only expression a kind smile. “We can get your car later on too, or tomorrow. Nobody’s gonna bother it where it is. JonJon will alert the sheriff, so they don’t find it and go looking for someone, thinking they jumped into the ocean there on purpose,” she said, winking.
Rebecca was aware of the smile growing on her face, a little taut from the alcohol wipes and bruises, but the warmth of the moment filled her enough to smile along with Kamea and her gentle sense of humor. “Thanks again. I owe you so much for your kindness.”
“No worries. You’re okay—that’s what matters most. Now let’s get you changed and cleaned up so we can get these fish over to Auntie’s before it gets dark. I’ll walk around in the gardens till you’re finished.”
* * *
The innkeeper was still outside, sweeping the steps and small porch in front of the main door as she walked up. Approaching nearer, she noticed his gentle expression. He had been remarkably sweet getting her checked in yesterday, giving her a tour of the beautiful grounds and showing her the val
ley that the gardens looked over along the edge of the property.
Brother Ben, as he liked to be called, had been here ten years, after retiring from teaching. When anyone back home would see her face, shriek in horror and pose twenty questions, he only smiled and said, “Hello, dear. I see you’ve had an interesting morning. I’m happy you’re all right. Let me know if I can help you with anything, okay?”
Rebecca nodded, “Yes, it’s been a crazy day—I feel lucky to be alive!”
“Well, we’re all lucky to be alive, aren’t we?” he replied, with a little wink and warm smile. “It’s a good thing to feel it, though,” he continued, bowing just a little as he opened the door for her to pass through. “It’s a good thing to feel it”—the words resonated in Rebecca's mind, and she smiled at the wisdom of the simple lesson.
The first thing she did on entering her room was walk to the mirror and take stock of the damage to her face. Everything will heal in time, she told herself. There were a few scratches, and her skin was flushed where she thought it would be pale from her fright.
She placed the useless phone on the vanity. No one would be calling her, she thought to herself, but she’d need to go into town and get it replaced before too long. Her clients knew she’d be out of touch for at least a week, and then they wouldn’t need her the week of Thanksgiving, she figured. They would work as little as possible themselves, getting ready for the long holiday weekend ahead.
The one person for whom she kept her phone with her always, she hadn’t heard from in almost a year. She wouldn’t be calling now either. Not now. She’s moved on, even if I haven’t, Rebecca thought.
A year after the breakup, Rebecca had come to Maui in hopes of healing her heart. At least, that’s what she told herself. She didn’t want to spend time with family and friends, enjoying their Thanksgiving together as in the past and having to face the onslaught of questions about Jenny. Have you heard from Jenny? Do you think you’ll see Jenny? Is Jenny…? On and on it would go. Maui seemed like a good place to be right now, and the beauty and activities might keep her from dwelling on this auspicious anniversary too much.
They had hoped for years for gay marriage to become legal in Michigan, and considered themselves to be already married in their hearts—or so Rebecca thought. But when the law did change some day, they were going to make it official. Talk about adopting children and having a family was also on their horizon. But even though they were together seven years, it all ended too soon. Their time as a couple ended long before the good news came: Gay marriage became legal nationwide. And on the heels of the news, her friends were celebrating. But instead of joining them, she had curled herself up into a ball on her bed, crying for the one her heart still missed.
Better not keep Kamea waiting too long. Shaking the memory from her head, she stiffened, left the mirror, and headed for the shower.
* * *
“You look ni-ice!” Kamea said with wide-eyed enthusiasm as Rebecca walked towards her. Kamea was leaning against the fender, arms folded in front of her. “You clean up well—nobody would ever know you looked like a drowned rat an hour ago!” she chided.
“Thanks,” Rebecca replied, feeling the warmth in her face growing as she blushed at the compliment. “I feel better too,” She continued, looking down to her feet, “The shower seemed to help.”
She wondered if she may have dressed a little too girly, in contrast to Kamea’s black bikini top and knee-length board shorts. But the floral pattern skorts and spaghetti-strap top were comfortable, utilitarian, and feminine too.
“Let’s get going to Auntie’s then. She’s about a half hour or more up the road towards Hana—not as far as Hana though—just on the way.” Kamea motioned to their surroundings. “The gardens are nice here. I’ll need to come back again sometime soon.”
“Brother Ben—that’s who greeted me at the door back there—showed me around yesterday when I got here. We walked the trail to the edge of the gardens that overlooks the valley. Made me tear up a little. It was so beautiful to look out over the expanse and see all that green down below. I can see why they put a small meditation hut there.”
“Yes, it’s nice,” Kamea replied. “Maybe it’s a special spot for you. Maybe you can take time while you’re here just to be there and let it speak to you, let answers come that you might be seeking? Places that touch your heart can do that.”
Rebecca nodded, imagining the valley view from yesterday. It calmed her to think of it—though other than this morning’s terror on the rocks, she had been rather calm and at ease most of the time since her arrival. Much more so now though. Now was different. Perhaps it was Kamea’s presence. Perhaps it’s just what happens on Maui. Especially when you thought you were about to die—and didn’t.
“Let’s head out,” Kamea said, opening the door for Rebecca. “You’ll like the view over at Auntie’s too.”
CHAPTER 5 - KAMEA
Kamea eased the truck back downhill, towards the famous road to Hana. She thought Rebecca might enjoy hearing a little about the area on the way and told her stories about the different spots along the route to her Auntie’s.
“It’s a beautiful drive, going this way—if a person has the time. Trouble is, it can take forever to get to Hana since you wanna stop and see all the pretty sights and waterfalls along the way!” she said, smiling. “But maybe if you feel like it, we can go all the way, or just stop and see some of the sights some time?” Kamea continued.
“You mean you saved my bacon and you want to be my personal tour guide too?” Rebecca returned the smile. “That would be nice. But, I don’t want to take you away from your life, just because you saved this damsel in distress,” she chuckled.
“No worries,” Kamea replied. “I got my artwork—I like to paint, my hunting for protein, tending my garden, and a couple of days a week, work in the coffee shop in Paia for some cash. I mostly do little paintings of all the stuff I love—suitcase art—easy for tourists to take back home with them. It’s a frugal life, but it suits me fine. Most of us do more than one thing for a living here, and I don’t spend much on things the tourists buy anyhow, so I do okay.”
Kamea braked to slow the truck and pointed out a mongoose as it ran across the road, then continued. “JonJon, his girlfriend, Brenda, and I share a house together. One of our uncles owns the house, but we pay some rent, though. It covers his taxes and upkeep and stuff. Living here can get expensive if you don’t watch out. But we all find a way.”
“It always seemed like living here would be such a dream,” Rebecca replied, brushing her wind-whipped hair from her eyes. “I was going to come here a long time ago—had that island fantasy life idea, but it faded like a lot of dreams do—just seemed impractical.”
“You’re only about my age, aren’t you?” Kamea replied. “Still lots of time to make new choices.”
“I guess you’re right. I might be a couple of years older than you, but I feel like I’m a lot older, I guess. Where I live can do that though. And then the last year or so, well... I feel as though I’ve aged more than I’d like.”
“You can let your head talk you out of a lot of things,” Kamea said, with an understanding nod. “I almost stayed on Oahu, for fear of… well, a lot of things. But having Auntie here was the best thing that ever happened to me. She took me in when I had nowhere else to go, no one else to turn to. You know what Ohana is?” she asked.
“Family, right?” Rebecca answered.
“Yeah, but not just immediate, blood-relative family, if you know what I mean. It goes deeper, like a spiritual connection family, and an extended family too; cousins, aunts, uncles—even adopted ones.”
“Why did you leave Oahu, if you don’t mind me asking?” Rebecca asked, “Do you still have family there? Ohana?”
“I guess I was an army brat, growing up there. My dad’s a retired master sergeant. He… well, he didn’t like my choices when it came to who I hung out with, you know—other girls. Pretty hardcore guy. Mom tried to be
the peacemaker between us, but it didn’t help much. They had already left me to live with Auntie on and off over the years when I was little and he got stationed in different places around the world. I loved it here. Once I hit fifteen, I never went back, except for the occasional visit.”
After a short silence, Kamea continued, “I see them a couple of times a year—I gotta go back over to Oahu this coming Thanksgiving, but I wanted to spend the actual holiday here with Auntie and everyone else.”
“I see,” Rebecca said, not wanting to seem to pry any further, though her curiosity about Kamea only grew as she listened.
“This coastline is so beautiful when you pop out between the trees and catch glimpses of it,” Rebecca said, steering the subject back to their drive.
“Nice, aye? You gonna like it up ahead too—we’re almost there, see? Not so long a drive.”
Kamea continued, “This little village to the left is a popular tourist spot—Ke’anae—nice old church with a row of tall palms to take pictures of. It’s quite a pretty place. The whole little peninsula is nice. You’ll like it. We can stop there sometime too if you’d like. I go pay my respects from time to time, say a silent prayer as I drive by, even.”
“Respects?” Rebecca asked. “Like at a cemetery?”
“In a way,” Kamea answered. “Long time ago—back in 1946, we lost some family there. A tsunami came down from an earthquake all the way up in Alaska—came and took a lot of people away in one big wave. Sad. Can’t imagine losing children that way. Lots of school kids died, and their teachers too. So sad.”
“That’s terrible!” Rebecca said, bringing her hand to her mouth. “I know I’ve got some newfound respect for the sea. I won’t think of it the same way again, I’ll tell you.”
“There, just ahead on the left, Wailua,” Kamea pointed over the steering wheel.
Rebecca lifted her head to see more while Kamea took the exit leading down into the little seaside settlement. As the landscape opened up to the sea, they passed a few taro fields, small houses scattered here and there, and as they drove past, received a wave from anyone on their lanai or out among the patchwork fields.
