Page 43 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

When we reached the village, Malakai looked at a list in his hands, then directed us towards the home of a widow. After he knocked, the woman answered it, a baby on her hip, trepidation on her face. Two little children stood behind her, clutching her skirt. She did not have the most kept home. In fact, her home looked more like the shack I was used to living in, not like the fancier homes located closer to the palace. And nothing like the home Kiki and mother lived in.

“The king and queen would like to speak with you,” Malakai said, and I heard the tone of gentleness in his voice, the kindness in his look, as if he wanted her to know that she shouldn’t worry. She relaxed at the way he smiled and bowed, then moved to the side.

I held the basket in my hand and suddenly felt silly. What was I to say?

“Aloha.” My voice was quiet. Then Keanu’s hand rested on the small of my back, causing warmth to spread through me.

“Hello Kanoe,” he said to the woman. I looked at Keanu. How did he know the woman’s name? “My queen has wanted to gift something to the widows of our kingdom.” He gently moved his hand up, as if he might rub my back. But he didn’t… not with all the entourage and people around us. “Your husband fought valiantly for the safety of our people. This gift does not fully show our appreciation of the sacrifice your family has made, but we wanted to do something.”

I held it out and she took it, tears brimming her eyes. “Thank you.” Kanoe looked from Keanu to me.

I knew I should say something. I swallowed, nervous with all the people around us watching. Even people in the streets had gathered to see what the royal entourage was doing.

“Thank you,” I told her. “We are doing all we can to help and support you.”

“That means so much to me.” She blinked back tears.

“And who’s this little one?” Keanu asked, leaning in to smile at the baby.

“Our little Nalu,” she said. “He’s only six months old.” The woman held him out and, much to my surprise, Keanu took Nalu. I hadn’t expected the king to know how to hold a baby, nor did I expect the gentle way he made the baby coo and laugh.

“Let’s see that smile,” he said, and the baby’s smile made everyone around–including myself–grin from cheek to cheek. Keanu bounced the baby gently, rubbing his back and smiling, which made the baby laugh even more.

Something inside of me melted even more, because, for the first time, I was seeing an image of Keanu as a father.

I quickly looked away, but my ears burned. Why was it so adorable watching him like this?

Malakai spoke to Kanoe, asking if she’d direct us to the other widows, and she happily agreed. The two other children still clung to their mother, so I knelt down to speak to them.

“My name is Oliana,” I said. “What is yours?”

The brother and sister looked at one another.

“Pohai and Kai,” said their mother, then returned her attention to Malakai and gave directions.

The boy held a small hook and string in his hand. “Do you like fishing?” I asked.

Silence. Then, slowly, a nod.

“I do too,” I said. “I used to fish in the sea. What fish do you like?”

A pause, then. “Manini.”

I smiled. “That’s the best and quickest fish to get. When I was little, I would fish for manini too.”

The children looked at one another, and a ripple in the crowd made me realize that people were listening.

“The queen? Fishing as a child?”

“She’s unique, indeed.”

I kept my attention on the children to ward off my worries. “Where’s your favorite spot to fish?” I asked.

“It’s on the way to Kamuela’s home,” said Kai, then, much to my surprise, held out his hand. “I’ll show you.” And before we knew it, our entourage walked along the pristine white sands of ‘Anolani Kingdom, from one widow’s home to the next. Pohai and Kai held my hands the entire time, while the community and entourage passed baby Nalu from one person to the next.

Peter and Kiki walked alongside one another. He seemed so reserved and polite, his hands behind his back as they walked. She was all smiles.

Malakai took it on himself to escort mother, which was incredibly thoughtful of him, especially because nobody asked him to. I appreciated his kindness. Alohi kept a somber face the entire time, watching me like a hawk. He did greet others with a kiss on the cheek or a hug, but he took his responsibility seriously.