“He’s upset, but he seemed to settle down when he had a chance to talk to her doctor. Both the kids now know their mother only had a short time left.”
We watched the kids laughing and rolling around on the grass. Even DJ, who probably considered himself too old to be playing children’s games, seemed to be caught up in the familiarity of acting like a kid again.
“And how about the note?” I said. I’d given James the original and all the copies. I didn’t want the burden of having it and I certainly didn’t relish the notion of destroying it.
“Don’t worry, Pali. It’s right where it should be.”
I looked over at the side yard. “And so is Sifu Doug.”
EPILOGUE
To this day, Doug and I have never discussed the details of the tragic weeks after he lost his beloved wife. It’s strange, because we talk about everything else.
Lani’s memorial service was a family affair. The extended ‘ohana gathered at Baldwin Beach to reminisce and pledge remembrance before Doug and the kids headed out in a cousin’s outrigger to return her ashes to the sea. Out of respect no uninvited mourners attended but Sifu Doug shared a photo taken at the scene which showed a single lei bobbing on the waves. I waited until I was back in my car before allowing the tears to fall.
Finn and I are still trying to create a child. I have no idea how or if it will ever amount to anything, but I must admit I’m enjoying the process.
Farrah and Ono have not been troubled by their cane worker ghost since the kahu finally showed up. I still think the guy charged too much, and I question his business judgment. I mean, what if I just blew off a wedding and showed up the next day? But they’re happy with the results so who am I to judge?
Steve has recovered from the blow-up of his relationship with Allen. There were a few fits and starts when it looked like they might try to patch it back together, but at this writing it’s history and he’s still my housemate. Personally, I’m fine with that. Finn still travels a lot and I enjoy Steve’s company over loneliness. Besides, he’s an excellent cook.
The lesson I learned from Doug and Lani’s tragedy is there are still chivalrous men in this world. I might be putting too fine a point on it, but ask yourself, who do you know who would honor their marriage vows to the extent Doug was willing to?
When I asked him about it, he shrugged. “I had no choice. I know I’ll see her again and she’ll know what I did. She believes she married a man who’d keep his word and, nine times out of ten, my wife is right.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
This story was conceived like a mid-life baby, unwanted at first but cherished all the more because it was a surprise. I thought I was finished with the “Islands of Aloha” series with “Hilo, Goodbye” but Sifu Doug’s character kept yammering, “What about me?” and I had to answer. He’s a guy you ignore at your own peril.
As always, there are people to thank. Mahalo to my first readers, Tom Haberer, Diana Paul, and KC Curtis. What would I do without you? I also want to give a shout-out to Debora Lewis, of Arena Publishing, who creates the print version, taking the manuscript from digital ones and zeros to an actual thing you can hold in your hands. For those of you who tell me you want to read “a real book” rather than an e-book, she’s your hero since I couldn’t do it if you held a gun to my head (oops, bad reference, sorry).
This book is dedicated to a good friend, Susan Cook-Goodwin. We share a rather complicated past, but we also share a most treasured future. Sue is my son’s stepmom and no one could hope for a better person to entrust their child to every other weekend and Wednesday nights. Mahalo, Sue, for all you’ve done to help “our” child become the best person he could be (and to marry the best young woman on the planet).
For those of you who are asking, will there be another Pali Moon story, I say, “Who knows?” I’m not being coy, it’s just that I haven’t heard from any of the characters in a while. But if I do, you’ll be the first to know.
Other books by JoAnn Bassett:
The Islands of Aloha Mystery Series
Maui Widow Waltz
Buy it on Amazon here!
Livin’ Lahaina Loca
Buy it on Amazon here!
Lana’i of the Tiger
Buy it on Amazon here!
Kaua'i Me a River
Buy it on Amazon here!
O’ahu Lonesome Tonight?
Buy it on Amazon here!
I’m Kona Love You Forever
Buy it on Amazon here!
Moloka’i Lullaby
Buy it on Amazon here!
Hilo, Goodbye
Buy it on Amazon here!
The Escape to Maui Series
Mai Tai Butterfly
Buy it on Amazon here!
Lucky Beach
Buy it on Amazon here!
Visit JoAnn Bassett’s website at: www.joannbassett.com
“Like” her Facebook page at: JoAnn Bassett’s Author Page
Isle Be Seeing You (Islands of Aloha Mystery Book 9) Page 23
