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Mano stood and followed Hoku to join the others in his grandmother’s celebration. Before he could fall into line to make a plate, one of his aunts came up to him.
“Mano,” Aunt Kini began, “Tutu Ani would like you to sit with her to eat since she hardly gets to see you. Why don’t you go ahead and I’ll make you a plate?”
This was the aunt who treated him like he was helpless. “I can make my own plate, Aunt Kini,” he tried to argue.
“I know that, Mano,” she chided and put a hand on his cheek. “You run a whole empire. You can make a plate for yourself. But why? Today you don’t have to conquer the world on your own. Your family is here. Let me do this for you and enjoy a few moments with your grandmother.”
Mano couldn’t argue with that. At least this way he wouldn’t have to ask what each thing was in front of him and try to balance a plate in one hand while holding on to Hoku with the other. He still needed to learn that accepting help wasn’t the same as accepting defeat.
“Thank you, Aunt Kini.”
“She’s over to your left about ten paces,” she said before disappearing into the crowd of his family.
Mano turned and started in the direction she provided, stopping when Hoku sat down. “Tutu Ani?” he asked.
“I’m here, child.”
He felt his grandmother’s hand grasp his. She guided him to a chair beside her at the table. “Hau’oli La Hanau, Tutu.”
“Mahalo, Mano. Are you enjoying the party?”
Mano shrugged. “This is your party to enjoy, not mine.”
Ani made a thoughtful sound with her tongue, then laid her hand on his knee. “Who
is she, mo’opuna?”
He perked up in his chair. How could she know there was a woman on his mind? He hadn’t mentioned Paige to anyone but Kal. “What do you mean?”
“Mano, you think just because you are blind everyone else is, too. You look absolutely heartsick. What has happened? Why didn’t you bring your lady today?”
“Because she went home Friday.”
“But you love her. Why did you let her go?”
Mano stiffened in his chair. Even with his sunglasses on, his grandmother saw everything. He realized then that the problem was his feelings went far deeper than he’d imagined. “I don’t know, Tutu.”
“You should go to her. Tell her how you feel. Then give her this.”
Ani took his hand and placed something cold and metallic in his palm. “What is it?” he asked.
“It’s my peridot engagement ring. The stone is native to the big island and has been in our family for generations. Your grandfather was given the ring by his mother. And now I’m giving it to you.”
Mano didn’t know what to say. He knew exactly which ring she was talking about. She’d worn it every day he could remember. The stone was a brilliant green octagon set in platinum with tiny diamonds around the edge. It was art deco in style, and almost a hundred years old. He couldn’t imagine his grandmother would ever part with such a precious piece of jewelry. “But Tutu, this is your ring.”
“No, this is a family heirloom, no more mine than anyone else’s. Give it to your love. Bring her back to Hawaii and begin your life together here. I insist.”
“I would love to, but it’s not that simple.”
“What about love is simple, Mano?”
She was right. Kal was right. He needed to take their advice and act before Paige disappeared from his life forever.
“Why are you still sitting here, mo’opuna?” Ani asked.
“It’s your birthday party,” he insisted.
“Hopefully it will not be my last. You can make it up to me by attending the next one with your new bride. Go!”
