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I am not sure his daughter was planning on going, but suddenly decides to participate. Did it piss her off that Dad is getting flirty? Or is she going because Cash got up? It’s obvious his fan club just grew by one. The others follow his lead, and as the group heads to the water, Paula puts the second half of her plan into action. Standing, she dusts sand off her hands and tries selling nonchalance.
“Think I’ll join them.”
Note to self. Nominate Paula for an Oscar.
Her retreating figure leaves the man and I behind like stranded shipmates on an island previously inhabited by talkative natives. There’s a moment of silence before he sits up and turns.
“I’m Alek. What’s your name?”
He is sexy as can be. I sit my ass up too. Should I undo my hair? Too obvious.
“Leilani. Nice to meet you.”
“Same here. I saw you dancing. From my mother’s house,” he says, pointing behind him. “You’re really good.”
Oh my God. Is he her son?
“Is Auntie Nani your mother?”
Surprise shows on his face.
“Yes. You know her?”
“Of course. She’s a legend. Besides, I know everyone that lives here. I was raised in this place, on this beach.”
“How come we don’t know each other then? I was too!”
It dawns on us both at the same time. Our smiles confirm the obvious reason.
“You were probably in preschool when I left for college.”
That smile. Good teeth.
“I’m twenty-seven.”
“I’m thirty-nine. You were building sandcastles when I was smoking weed with my crew under the palms.”
“Did you know my brother, Akoni Meadows? He was a good surfer…”
“Wait! I’m having flashbacks. Of course I know him! We surfed together almost every day.”
Now I am just as shocked as he is.
“This is so cool!”
“We were friends! Really good high school friends. But we lost touch after I went off to college on the mainland. Oh man. This is unbelievable. Does he still live on the island?”
I never know how much to say about my brother.
“He’s in Hilo.”
A tilt of his head.
“Were you the persistent little sister that we tried to ditch on a regular basis?”
“That was me.”
The memory settles in my mind and brings back images of a happy childhood. Sitting on the beach with my mother watching Dad and Akoni surf. Trying to keep pace with the steps of my big brother. I can still see his big footprints in the sand. I would put my little feet inside and he would laugh. He was his real self then. But it was about to disappear.
