Ready! Set! Hawaii!

by Annie Bryant

  “Like you’re a skier who woke up on a snowboard?” he joked.

  “Or like a snowboarder who thinks she can surf,” Avery retorted.

  Mr. Madden stopped and turned to Avery. “I think we should rap about that.”

  She swallowed hard. A lecture was coming.

  “Ave, why did you let Kazie go so far out?” he asked. “That’s totally unlike you. You’re usually Captain Safety.”

  “I told her to go back!” Avery shouted. “I did! But you know Kazie! She just wouldn’t listen!”

  “Yeah, I do know Kazie,” he said, “but so do you.”

  Avery looked away. No matter how much she proclaimed her innocence, she knew that he was right.

  “Which means deep down, my little Surf Betty,” her dad continued, “you knew she was going to follow you out there. So you should have—”

  “Okay, I should have turned back, and I didn’t,” Avery admitted. “I know I messed up big time. She could have gotten really hurt. But why are you acting like this is all my fault, Dad?” Avery sniffed.

  Mr. Madden turned toward the water and shielded his eyes from the sun’s reflection off the waves. They watched as one of the surfers glided into the curl of the wave, cutting back and forth across the frothy water, riding it all the way to the beach.

  “Dad,” Avery finally said in almost a whisper, “you really don’t get it.”

  Mr. Madden turned back to Avery, confused. “Tell me, Avery. What don’t I get?”

  Avery panicked. She had gone over this moment in her mind, playing and replaying what she was going to say. But now that she had a chance to tell her dad how she really felt, her emotions were whirling and her mind was blank!

  “Ave?”

  Avery blurted out the first thing that popped into her head. “It’s just that, well, you’re getting married. Scott and Tim…they aren’t here…Do they even know? Are they going to miss it? That just feels, so—”

  He interrupted her. “No worries, snurfette, we’re covered!” He laughed. “Of course they know. In fact, Scott and Tim are going to meet us in Honolulu tomorrow. See? Nothing to worry about. Your dad has it all covered! We’re cool, right?” He held up his hand for a high-five, but Avery looked away.

  “That’s not all,” she mumbled. “I guess I just…I wish you had, umm, asked me first and…”

  To her surprise, her dad didn’t say anything. His face was suddenly grim as he nodded and waited for Avery to let it all out.

  “Dad, I don’t even really know Andie! I only met her one time before this, and I don’t need another mom!” Avery felt the words tumbling out of her mouth randomly, like the seagulls wheeling in the sky.

  “Are you going away on a honeymoon? And can I keep my room in Telluride? What about your shop?” Avery paced back and forth by the railing as she spoke, tearing apart a napkin she’d found in her pocket and tossing the pieces overboard.

  “Where will Kazie sleep? Will she come with you every time you visit Boston? What is she, anyway, my half-sister or stepsister or what?”

  Mr. Madden stopped Avery mid-pace and enveloped her in a big hug. “Avery, you’re my number one snurfette and you always will be, got that? I’m so, so, sorry you’ve been worrying so much about this. Sometimes I don’t think before I act, y’know? That’s what your mom always told me. Look before you leap, Jake! But I guess that’s just not how I am. I go with the flow…y’know, ride the waves.

  “I should’ve thought to talk to you again. That’s what your mom said when I called to tell her about all this and plan Tim and Scott’s travel. She said, make sure Ave’s okay. But I thought we were cool after that talk in your room the other night. I guess I was wrong, huh?”

  Avery nodded against her Dad’s ATS shirt.

  “Lots of stuff is gonna change,” he continued, “and I don’t even know the answers to all those questions! This is new territory for all of us. Think of it like cutting new powder on an uncharted mountain slope. We’ll break ourselves a trail, one day at a time.”

  “Yeah?” Avery sniffed.

  “Definitely. If you can take on gnarly slopes and monster waves, kiddo, you can take on this. Andie is a wonderful woman, and while she’ll never take the place of Mom in your life, I hope one day she can be your friend. That would mean a lot to me.” Avery’s dad paused for a minute, one hand on the railing, the other on his daughter’s shoulder. “Is there anything I can do that would make this all easier on you?”

  “Don’t give Kazie any more of my stuff! She can keep that cap, though. And don’t let Andie cook when we come for Thanksgiving.” Jake snorted so hard at that comment that he had to let go of Avery and recompose himself. “And maybe when you come to Boston to visit,” Avery finished, “could you come just by yourself sometimes?”

  “I think I can promise all that.” Her dad nodded and smiled. “No problemo!”

  Sad Good-byes

  Marisol balanced Franco’s cage on her lap. For once, he wasn’t trying to pick the lock and get out. Everyone was crammed into a van driven by Captain Bob. They were barreling toward the Maui Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Haiku, Maui.

  “We’re just about an hour out. Everyone okay back there?” Captain Bob asked.

  “I think we’ve got some sad campers here, but fine,” Mr. Ramsey replied. He turned to Marisol. “You sure they’re expecting us?”

  “I’ve been e-mailing with them for weeks,” Marisol said. “They’ve got a little room set up for Franco when he arrives, then over time they’ll slowly introduce him to other birds he’ll share a habitat with.”

  “No! No! Franco love Izzy!” Franco squawked.

  Isabel blinked back tears and scratched his head through the bars of his cage. “Izzy loves Franco, too. But this will be good for you, Franco. I promise.” She looked to Marisol for confirmation.

  Marisol nodded. “It’s a wonderful place. He’ll be well taken care of.”

  Isabel took a deep breath. I will not cry. I will not cry, she repeated to herself over and over. But how could she keep calm when she had to give away the smartest, silliest, most wonderful bird in the whole world?

  Charlotte squeezed Isabel’s hand. “It’ll be okay.”

  “I’m sure they can keep you updated on his progress, Izzy,” Katani said, trying to console her friend.

  “I bet they’ll e-mail you pictures!” Maeve exclaimed.

  “Or maybe there’s a parrotcam!” Avery added.

  Isabel nodded, unable to speak. She knew this was the best thing for Franco. She did! But right now she felt worse than she could ever have imagined.

  “Kiss kiss Izzy!” Franco squawked.

  Isabel watched as the scenery outside went from shops and hotels to a sprawl of green fields dotted with palm trees. Mist still clung to the ground, like clouds that had lost their way.

  “Y’know, parrots can fall in love,” Captain Bob said, interrupting her thoughts. Katani and Charlotte laughed, but Captain Bob continued. “No, it’s true. I’ve had my share of feathered friends. That’s probably why you had such a hard time finding this one a home, Marisol.”

  “Because he was in love with my aunt?” Marisol wondered. “I guess that makes sense.”

  “And now he’s in love with Isabel there,” Captain Bob concluded.

  “Franco love Izzy!” Franco repeated from his cage.

  Everyone laughed, easing the tension in the van. Marisol shifted the cage in her lap so she could turn toward Isabel. “Isabel, I just had a crazy idea. Why don’t you keep Franco? ¿Qué te parece? What do you think?”

  “My aunt won’t let me have a parrot,” Isabel replied sadly. “Besides, how would I even get him home?”

  Marisol thought for a moment. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  Captain Bob pulled the van over to the side of the road and slowed to a stop. He turned to face the backseat. “Y’know, I have a reunion coming up.”

  “Excuse me, Captain Bob, but our friend is having an emotional moment. Your socia
l schedule isn’t exactly our priority right now,” Maeve lectured.

  Captain Bob laughed. “Yes, but I am a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Which means that I could fly Franco out to Boston in my personal plane.”

  “You have a personal plane?” Her dad sounded a tiny bit jealous, Charlotte thought!

  “I’m a captain of many ships, both of land and air!” He replied with a flourish of his hand.

  “Izzy, you have to keep Franco!” Avery begged.

  “I know that the Animal Sanctuary would take great care of Franco, but he’d much rather be with you, Isabel. What do you say?” asked Marisol.

  “Boston!” Franco decided.

  Isabel was in shock. “But, I can’t. My aunt would never let me.”

  “Isabel, you have to at least ask!” Charlotte suggested.

  “Don’t take no for an answer,” Katani advised.

  Maeve turned to her. “Izzy, you know that I have not been Franco’s number one fan. But it’s destiny! And you can’t argue with destiny!” She dug her cell phone out of her purse and thrust it at Isabel. “Call. Now.”

  Isabel looked around at all of the expectant faces, and then at Franco. “Okay, I’ll call.” She dialed her Aunt Lourdes’ number. By the fourth ring, she figured she was off the hook. No one would answer, and she’d have a few more minutes to figure out what to do. But then someone picked up.

  “Hello?”

  “Aunt Lourdes, it’s Isabel.”

  “¡Dios mío! Is everything okay? I was taking your mom to the doctor. Just a check up, but we’re running late—”

  “I’m fine, but slow down a second. I need to ask you something.”

  “Keep it short, amorcita, we have to—”

  “Can I have a parrot?” Isabel blurted out.

  “What?” her aunt asked.

  Now she had Aunt Lourdes’s attention. Isabel took her time explaining Franco’s story, Marisol’s promise, and the bird who sat in his cage with his head cocked, as if waiting for the answer.

  “So, what do you say? We already have a way to get him home and—”

  “Isabel,” her aunt said gently, “you cannot have a parrot.”

  Isabel felt the sting of tears at the back of her eyes and slumped in her seat. Maeve grabbed her hand and squeezed. Isabel heard another voice through the phone. It was her mom talking to her aunt in the background. “Lourdes! Lourdes! I had a parakeet when I was little.”

  Isabel covered the receiver. “My mom is trying to talk her into it,” she whispered.

  Everyone silently cheered and Isabel put her ear back to the phone.

  “But this is different” her aunt argued. “This is a parrot. Un papagayo!”

  “And I always wanted a parrot,” her mother added.

  Isabel heard her aunt sigh, and then her mother got on the phone.

  “What’s his name?”

  “Franco, Mama,” Isabel replied. “Can I keep him? I promise to clean his cage and play with him every day and buy all his food…”

  “Franco Martinez,” Mama mused, “that’s got a good ring to it. Okay, Lourdes agrees. Franco can come live with us. But Isabel Alicia Martinez, you must be completely responsible for him!”

  “I will, I promise.” Isabel shut the phone off and screamed, “She said yes!” Charlotte, Maeve, Avery and Katani leaned in to hug her. Isabel couldn’t believe it! “Franco, you’re coming home with me!”

  “I’d better turn this van around,” said Captain Bob. He made a U-turn and pointed the van back in the direction of the dock.

  “I guess this means I haven’t seen the last of you, Franco,” Maeve sighed.

  “Love Izzy!” Franco squawked. “Maeve smelly. Ha-ha-ha!”

  Happy Good-byes!

  Charlotte and Isabel sat in one of the ship’s many gorgeous lounges with Mr. Ramsey and Franco’s cage. Marisol had gone to call the sanctuary to let them know that Franco had found a loving home, and Captain Bob went to talk to the crew about where to keep Franco safely for the last day of the cruise.

  “I can’t keep breaking regulations to let you keep him in your room,” Captain Bob had said. “But we’ll take good care of him, and before you know it, he’ll be back in Boston with you.”

  Isabel knelt down at the side of Franco’s cage. “I’m going to see you in just a couple of weeks, Franco. Don’t forget me.”

  “Franco love Izzy!” Franco said for the zillionth time since they’d set out in the van that morning.

  Charlotte laughed. “I don’t think there’s any danger of that happening.”

  Just then, Captain Bob returned with two young men in Aloha Cruise uniforms. When they picked up the cage, Isabel pet Franco on the head one last time…for now!

  “Captain Bob, I don’t know what to say.” Isabel felt close to tears again. “Thank you.”

  Captain Bob waved one hand. “Don’t say a thing. I’ve always had a soft spot for these squawkboxes, so I’m happy that I get to be deliverin’ one to a happy home.”

  “Captain Smelly!” Franco squawked as the young men carried the cage away from Isabel.

  “We’ll have to work on that one!” Captain Bob wagged his finger at the parrot as they made their way back to the crew quarters. Isabel waved, and before she knew it, she was crying. But this time, they were tears of joy.

  CHAPTER

  20

  I Now Pronounce you…

  Avery craned her neck, trying to see over the crowd of people who were milling around the dock below.

  She and Maeve were waiting for Avery’s brothers, Tim and Scott, who would be arriving any second for the wedding. Avery was anxious and excited and nervous…all at the same time!

  “I don’t see why we can’t wait for them down there,” Avery complained.

  “Because you might miss them in the crowd,” Maeve reminded her.

  “Are you calling me short?” Avery asked. “Wait! I think I see them!” She pointed to two red baseball caps weaving through the crowd.

  “How can you tell?” asked Maeve.

  “I just know,” Avery replied.

  Maeve squinted at the two figures on the dock. “They’re wearing Red Sox caps.”

  Avery giggled. “Like I said, I just know!”

  “Okay, since you’re in good hands,” Maeve said, “I’m going to go get ready. See you in a few!”

  Avery nodded and turned back to see Scott and Tim making their way up the gangplank. She waved and ran over, nearly knocking them down in a bear hug.

  “You guys! I’m so glad you’re here! You have no idea how totally weird this is!” she cried.

  “Like bizarro land, eh, Ave?” asked Tim.

  “And I’m sure you’ve been a perfect angel, not getting into any trouble, right?” inquired Scott.

  Avery swatted him. “Hey, I’ve been dealing with this solo. Alone. Mano-a-mano.”

  “Sorry I missed your calls,” Scott gave her another hug. “But we’re here now, and you’ve got my undivided attention, Ave!”

  Tim checked his watch. “But not for too long. Because we’re supposed to be on the deck for the wedding ceremony in like, forty-five minutes.”

  “I can’t believe your flight was delayed!” Avery groaned. “What if you’d missed it?”

  “Dad would’ve pushed the wedding back if he had to.” Scott grinned. “So, forty-five minutes. Plenty of time to talk!” Scott picked Avery up and carried her to a plain white bench on the front deck. “Oof, have you gained weight this week?”

  Avery giggled. She’d missed her brothers! “Yep, wait till you taste the food on this ship!” She patted her tummy.

  “Nice!” Tim slapped her a high-five. “So, little sis, you okay?”

  Avery shrugged. “I’ve been better. Things are gonna be way different, huh?”

  Scott shrugged. “Yeah, but we’ll get through it together, ’k?”

  “Okay.” Avery perked up suddenly. “You guys haven’t met Kazie yet, have you?”

  “
Nope, not yet.” Tim shrugged. “Why?”

  “Man, you guys are in for it! She’s even crazier than me!”

  “Is that even possible?” Scott joked.

  Avery jumped up and crossed her arms. “Also, you know Andie is like the worst cook in the world, right?”

  “I’d heard some stories from Dad…,” Tim said. “Something about a tuna casserole?” Avery nodded and fake-gagged.

  “There has to be something good about Andie and Kazie, though, right, Ave?” Scott insisted, suddenly serious. “Like it or not, they’re gonna be family now.”

  Avery sat down on the bench again. “Yeah…I guess.”

  “And most important of all,” Scott continued, “Dad’s been, like, super chill and happy since he and Andie started dating. It’s weird they’re getting married so quick, but I think it’s cool.”

  “You do?” Avery asked.

  Scott nodded. “He was getting lonely by himself all the time.”

  “Yeah, it’s cool,” Tim said as he fake-noogied Avery. “Especially since we get a surprise trip to Hawaii in the bargain!”

  She hugged her brothers again. I wonder if they have any idea how glad I am they’re here! she thought.

  Officially Family

  White streamers wound around the railings of the upper deck, which had been reserved for the wedding ceremony. Marisol, in her official staff uniform, was in charge of letting in the guests. Charlotte, Isabel and Mr. Ramsey were the first to arrive, followed by Maeve, Katani, and Kara-Lee.

  “Everyone looks so pretty!” Marisol exclaimed.

  “That’s because we travel with our soon-to-be world famous stylist, Katani,” Maeve replied, twirling around in her pale pink skirt and silvery top.

  “Are Avery and Kazie here yet?” Katani asked. She wore a red dress with orange fabric Hawaiian flowers pinned artfully at her shoulders and waist.

  Marisol glanced at Mr. Madden, who looked nervous as he fidgeted with the cuffs of his dark blue suit. “Kazie’s helping her mom get ready. And it looks like Avery’s right behind you guys.”

  Avery bounded in with Scott and Tim, who had changed into matching dark blue suits with Hawaiian print ties. “I’m here and I brought back-up.” She introduced Scott and Tim to Marisol and Kara-Lee. “So what now?”