by MJ Brannigan
The gallery manager was kind, and excited at the turnout. Rebecca made sure she had all the promo material she could put together for Kamea before the show. Even having a simple website ready—KameaConnolly.com—made her partner look more professional. And it made Kamea so happy to see her work online, not just stacked against the walls of her converted lanai.
Jenny had made good on her promise. She cried when they last talked, disappointed she would not be returning to begin anew with her. But she was true to her word, and a stipend that she would send to her into the coming year would help to ease her transition to Maui.
Auntie had been right all along. If she ever decided to give her advice again in the future, she would listen close and take her wisdom to heart.
Maui—after it washed away her past, had opened to welcome her as no place she had ever known—‘Aina—a oneness with the land, the place. She felt it into her bones. It was something she had yearned for her entire life, without even being aware of what it was she was missing. ‘Aina—place, Ohana—family, and of course: Aloha—the loving spirit of welcome. The words sang in her mind, resonated in her heart. Maui; even the name of the island was a song to her now. But the sweetest song to her heart was the word Kamea—precious one. Precious, so precious.
* * *
“Alright, you two,” Kris said as she walked up behind them. “Show looks good in there, Connolly,” she continued. “Last time I looked, half your paintings had red dots on the placards too. Way to go!”
“I’m amazed so many sold already,” Kamea said, turning from Rebecca, but keeping her hand squeezed tight.
“She’s a keeper, Connolly,” Kris interjected, winking and nodding towards Rebecca. “Ya got your marketer, and your website builder, and a lovely model, and, well, gal Friday right here. You two make a good pair. I can see why you had it so bad over Thanksgiving,” she continued, teasing Kamea.
Rebecca could swear she saw Kamea blush, even in the dim light of the outdoor patio as she squeezed her hand again.
“Oh, almost forgot to tell you…” Kris turned to look back towards the gallery’s double doors, open to the patio, “That reporter from the paper in Honolulu wanted to talk to you. I told her I’d look around for you. That’s her with the red party dress,” Kris pointed into the gallery doors.
“Oh, sure. Lemme go see her for a bit, K?” Kamea turned to Rebecca.
“Of course—it’s your night,” Rebecca replied, kissing her, then turning her around and giving her a gentle push towards the reporter.
Rebecca watched as Kamea introduced herself. Even from here, just watching her speak; the movements of her hands, the gestures she made while she talked—she was smitten, and proud of her partner.
“Kamea introduced me to Laura,” she heard Kris say, somewhat taking her by surprise.
“Um, really?” Rebecca drew her look away from Kamea. “What did you think?” was all she could muster in the moment.
“Well,” Kris replied, in her deepest tone, “She’s a bit of a flirt, but—let’s just say I don’t think I’ll need to stay with you guys again tonight—maybe the rest of the weekend till I go back to Oahu,” she said winking.
Rebecca held her hand over her open mouth, hiding a flabbergasted smile, and gave Kris a mock slap on her arm. “Are all you Army people so, well...?”
“Pretty much, yeah,” Kris said, laughing, without letting Rebecca finish her question.
“What the hey,” Kris continued, with a straight face; “I’ll be getting out in a few months. Maybe she’ll manage to turn me into a vegetarian too, settle down and work the farm.”
Rebecca continued laughing at Kris’s deadpan humor. “I hope when you do get out, maybe you’ll want to live over here too. Lots of good people. Maybe you’ll find something—or someone—here to make you want to stay, like me.”
“Been thinking about that; you know, what to do when I get out. I was thinking of staying on the islands and not going back to the mainland at all. Not sure yet.”
Rebecca smiled and wondered what sort of adventures Kris might have in store if she decided to stay.
“I was wondering; if you don’t mind me asking,” Kris looking toward Kamea, talking to the reporter. “It probably wasn’t an easy decision, since you already had a life waiting for you back in Michigan, but what made you decide to stay at the last minute? I mean… Kamea said she thought you’d caught your flight back when you came out to find her on the water.”
Rebecca watched Kamea as the reporter tried to keep up; the animated gestures, the sparkle in her eyes as she explained the ideas she got for paintings, her hands imitating the movement of fish she would have been hunting. Then she saw the motion of her hand trace an arc in the air. And with a soft, loving smile, glanced back to meet Rebecca’s eyes.
Rebecca’s heart warmed as she returned the smile; remembering the day she held a rainbow in her hands, remembering how the decision was gifted to her. “Well,” Rebecca began as she turned to Kris, “…have you met Auntie yet?”
~ * ~ * ~
What Happens Next?
It is my sincerest hope that you enjoyed reading To Hold A Rainbow as much as I enjoyed the writing of it. If you did, I invite you to leave a review and share your thoughts and feelings.
Waiting for the Moonrise is the working title of the next book in the series featuring Rebecca and Kamea in their new life together, along with their friends and family—their Ohana.
Join me on their continuing journey by going to mjbrannigan.com to sign up to my mailing list, and to become involved in the creation process of the next and future releases.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
MJ Brannigan
August 2016
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank TinaMarie for her invaluable insight early in the writing process, for her continued support in almost anything I do… and her advice “to just keep writing.”
To Lori at Royal Glenn Studios for her editing expertise and encouragement to continue.
To Frances, my first beta reader, who met me with a smile when she finished.
Last, but not least, to my Father, who’s unwavering friendship and support have long kept this artist’s flag a’ flying.
About the Author
MJ Brannigan began life in Scotland, and at seven years of age, sailed across the ocean with his family to the New World as an immigrant. Traveling to see the beauty and wonders just over the horizon are now forever in his blood.
He has been a window-dresser, a soldier, an illustrator, a graphic designer, and always since the beginning, an artist and lover of words. He currently lives with his fantasies of continued writing and painting while residing in Michigan.
To stay in touch, and for future releases, please visit mjbrannigan.com
About the Artist
Kamea Connolly was born on Oahu, Hawaii. Primarily a self-taught artist, she studied for a year at Art Center in Pasadena, CA. On returning to Hawaii, she made her home in Paia, Maui, where she tends a small garden, spearfishes, surfs, and paints the beauty of her island home.
To see these and more of Kamea’s paintings from around Maui and the Hawaiian Islands, please visit KameaConnolly.com
