by Di Morrissey
After lunch the three women cleared away and prepared a basket with things for the two children and the baby, gathered some cold drinks and towels and packed up an old Chevy station wagon. Pink and Ziggy were put in the rear with the basket and while Sadie drove with pregnant Ginger beside her, Summer and Catherine sat in the back seat.
They drove down the coast road, which narrowed as it wound along the deserted coastline until there was no more beach, just a rocky foreshore. They all sang along to ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ and Catherine joined in.
‘What kind of music do you like, Catherine?’ asked Summer.
‘I love Peter, Paul and Mary, even if it’s a bit old- fashioned now.’
‘The song’s set on this island – Hanalei Bay. Everyone’s got a different interpretation of what the lyrics really mean,’ said Sadie.
Catherine was glad she could relate to some of their music at least. At lunch they had played a lot she was not familiar with. It was what Bradley called ‘harsh, modern music’. Bradley didn’t even like the Beatles or the Stones and he shook his head in dismay whenever she played them. ‘My husband likes old show tunes, movie musicals. And Hawaiian music.’
‘Don Ho or Rap Replinger?’ asked Summer with a grin. ‘He’s not into Led Zeppelin or Marvin Gaye, then?’
‘Er, I don’t think so.’
Pink began to chirp, ‘Tiny bubbles, make you feel warm all over . . .’
They stopped the car close to a boulder-strewn beach by a small headland. Catherine couldn’t imagine where they might go from here, but everyone got out, gathered their belongings and even little Ziggy was given a towel and small cloth bag was strung around his neck. Summer tied baby Petal in a cloth sling, and knotted it around her neck and across one shoulder leaving her hands free.
Catherine followed them along the edge of the rocky beach until they got to two large boulders that seemed impossible to pass. Ahead was a jutting impenetrable finger of sheer rock and thick undergrowth. Summer in the lead, the baby strapped to her, bent down and rolled away a rock lying between two larger ones to reveal a small passageway. Squeezing between the rocks Catherine saw that there was a sandy track etched between the undergrowth, leading to the rocky beach and the large flat rocks at the base of the headland. It was familiar territory to the women who talked as they walked, helping Pink and Ziggy over the rougher patches.
It seemed that they were heading to the rocky beach when suddenly there was a cleft in the cliff face and they walked onto sheltered broad flat rocks.
‘It’s like an open-air room,’ breathed Catherine.
‘But better, look, a pool,’ said Ginger.
Already Ziggy was following Pink who jettisoned her bag and sandals and skipped surefooted towards the deep glistening pool trapped in the flat rocks. Further out the water of a lagoon glistened and around the tip of the cleft they could see the white water rushing over the reef.
‘It’s beautiful. We won’t get swamped or cut off by the tide will we?’ asked Catherine.
‘Very rarely. It’s in such a position that the water comes in through that tiny channel at high tide but never washes over it. Unless there’s a cyclone,’ said Summer, slipping out of her shirt and crochet bikini.
‘How did you find this place?’ wondered Catherine.
‘An Hawaiian girl showed us. It’s not to be broadcast, talked about for, you know, tourists,’ cautioned Sadie.
‘No way. Of course. I can tell this is a special place,’ said Catherine beginning to disrobe as the others had already shed their clothing.
Ginger was the first to slide into the pool, cupping her hands under her baby belly. Pink and Ziggy, also naked, jumped in beside her, splashing and giggling.
‘It’s not deep this end, you can stand up,’ said Sadie. ‘There’s a deeper bit in the middle and a shallow ledge at that end.’
‘For the birthing,’ said Ginger. ‘It’s a sacred birthing pool. We call it the goddess pool . . . seeing we’re all goddesses!’ She laughed. ‘I’m having my baby here.’
‘I had Petal and Ziggy here,’ said Summer.
Catherine, feeling pale and shy, slid quickly into the velvety water. ‘Is that a good idea? I mean, I’ve sort of heard of water births but not, like, in a place like this. Will a doctor come out here?’
Sadie and Summer laughed. ‘No. That’s our job.’
Catherine didn’t probe further, it was so far away from what she imagined childbirth to be like. She couldn’t imagine any of the navy wives, used to their big military medical centre, giving birth in such a place either.
‘Well, it’s a great place to skinny dip. Do the men come here too?’
‘Uh, uh. That’s kapu, this is wahine territory,’ said Sadie firmly. ‘After the baby is born and we leave here, the father has his right to do his ceremony.’
‘How come you know so much about local customs? I didn’t think you’d been here that long,’ said Catherine.
‘We have good local friends. Once you’re accepted as not just another haole, they open their doors and hearts to you,’ said Summer.
‘That’s true,’ said Catherine, thinking of Kiann’e and Abel John and even the formidable Beatrice.
‘Socialising with us haoles can be seen as “acting high”, trying to be better than their friends and neighbours, which doesn’t go down well. It takes awhile to be accepted, so that you’re fitting in with them rather than them trying to fit in with you.’
‘We get on with the locals because we live like they do,’ said Ginger. ‘No offence, Catherine, but the rich mainlanders, the tourists and the military, usually don’t get invited into local homes.’
‘The naval people tend to keep to themselves, it’s a world of its own,’ agreed Catherine. ‘Maybe that’s why they’ve been tolerated so long.’
‘That’s changing,’ sniffed Sadie.
‘But you’re different, inquisitive. You want to find out about other people,’ said Summer. ‘That’s why we’ve taken to you.’
‘You’re not going to stay in that closed world are you?’ asked Ginger bluntly.
‘I’m married to a naval officer!’ said Catherine.
The women were silent for a moment.
‘You might want to rethink that,’ said Sadie.
‘You don’t seem the type,’ said Summer.
‘Don’t get bossed around, listen to you heart,’ said Ginger floating on her back, her large belly looking like a small brown island. Summer held her baby in the water, swishing her back and forth.
Catherine was shocked. And hurt. She didn’t want to say she couldn’t possibly lead a life like these women, drifting from day to day with fluid relationships, no plans, no security, no apparent rock-solid partner.
‘Bradley’s different,’ she began, then stopped as the three women broke into big grins.
‘Don’t make excuses for him,’ said Sadie. ‘Look, I’m sure he’s a nice guy. You’ve told us you dated in a romantic place in an unreal setting, far from home. I bet he’s really good looking. And those sexy uniforms. Who wouldn’t fall for the guy?’
‘That’s not important. It’s how we feel about each other,’ protested Catherine.
‘So? How do you feel about him?’ asked Ginger.
‘I love him! I married him.’
‘Ooh, I’ve been there,’ said Sadie. ‘Didn’t last. Thank God I woke up quickly to the fact that he was totally the wrong man for me.’
Catherine was getting annoyed. She’d just met these women, whose world was totally different from hers, and here they were telling her how to run her life, insinuating her marriage was a disaster and that Bradley was not the right husband for her.
‘Well, I’m going to make my marriage work. Bradley is generous, loving, everything a girl could want. My friends at home think I’m so, so lucky.’
‘He’s the lucky one I’d say,’ said Sadie. She reached over and touched Catherine’s arm. ‘You might think it’s not our place to say anything, but we’ve all
come through some rough times and we hate to see another woman go down the same path. You haven’t lived enough, Catherine. Cut loose a bit.’
‘I couldn’t live like you do,’ said Catherine.
The three women were unoffended.
‘Times are changing compared to our mothers’ day,’ said Summer. ‘Going on the pill, sleeping with anyone who takes your fancy, having children out of wedlock, or by different partners, getting high on pot, whatever. Didn’t go on in their day.’
‘Those things don’t go on in my world either,’ said Catherine. ‘It’s true, I haven’t ever been a bit wild or tried anything unconventional. And I don’t feel the need to do so. Though meeting you lot is a bit unusual!’
The girls laughed and Pink paddled to Catherine, trailing long strands of mossy green seaweed she’d pulled from the rocks. ‘Look, a necklace.’ She dropped longer strands over Catherine’s head.
‘Or a crown!’ Ginger pulled up fat fleshy brown leaves of seaweed with clusters of grape-like pods filled with water and twisted them into a circle and handed one to each of them. ‘C’mon, Ziggy, here’s your crown. You can be king!’
Laughing, they splashed around, inventing a silly game and the subject of Bradley and Catherine’s marriage was forgotten.
‘What are you doing after Kauai?’ Summer asked Ginger.
‘Haven’t decided. Doobie wants to try and surf some uninhabited breaks people are starting to talk about. Micronesia. South Africa. A bunch of them want to make a little film – searching for the perfect wave, or something.’
‘Tricky with a baby and Ziggy,’ said Sadie.
‘I’ll probably visit my mom for a month or so. Then see where we all end up. I might base myself somewhere closer to the guys. I’ve always wanted to visit a big game park.’
Catherine listened to the ping-pong talk of plans, marvelling at the flexibility of their lives, the lack of responsibility or worry about the future. She wanted to ask how they could afford this lifestyle but decided it’d be rude to ask.
‘Okay, time to go. The kids are getting tired. Me too,’ announced Ginger.
Catherine hopped out, wrapped a towel round herself and grabbed her camera to take a few photos of the women and kids still wearing their seaweed crowns and frolicking in the pool.
‘These are just for me. I won’t give any hints about where this place is,’ she assured them.
When they were dressed Sadie opened her bag and took out a taro root, some flowers and some coins and handed them around. ‘An offering to the goddess of the pool.’ She threw the taro root into the deep centre and the others followed her, though Ziggy was a bit reluctant to let go of his shiny coin. Then they stood in a circle, holding hands, and Summer, who had a beautiful voice, sang a short Hawaiian chant.
‘What’s that mean?’ asked Catherine as they all headed back along the path from the secret pool.
‘I can’t translate exactly. I learnt the words from our friend, but it’s like a blessing. A thank you for letting us bathe in the sacred water and a prayer to keep our women and children safe.’
‘You’ve been blessed too, Catherine,’ said Sadie. ‘So you’ll be watched over on the island.’
On the way back, Sadie carefully replaced the stone in the centre of the boulders, obscuring the tiny track.
Nirvana was deserted when they returned. Surfboards were missing as well as the old van but the women didn’t comment on this and as Summer took the baby and the two children in for a nap, Sadie put a large coffee pot on the old stove.
‘Any suggestions about dinner? Anything you don’t eat?’
Catherine shook her head. ‘Not at all. Though I’m wondering if maybe I should start back . . . Eleanor could be wondering about the car . . . me taking off . . .’
‘Is she your mother? Aren’t you rambling round taking photos? Relax, Catherine. Maybe you should’ve gone with the guys. Got some good surfing shots.’
‘I’ve taken a few of those.’
‘Ah, you can’t say you’ve been there and done that. Surfing, waves, the riders, it’s an eternal smorgasbord,’ said Sadie. ‘I’ve put in my time waiting and watching.’
‘Do you surf?’ Catherine asked Sadie.
‘No. I like swimming but I don’t surf. Ginger does. Not at the moment, though. She thought it would be a way of, first, getting Doobie interested in her, then holding onto him. We’re no beach chicks sitting chastely on the sand like Gidget,’ she laughed. ‘Ginger got his attention more than most and with the baby coming, he’s hanging around. But, as you heard, finding some unknown surf heaven will win out every time.’
‘How will she support the baby if, say, he takes off and leaves her?’
‘He won’t leave her, he just drifts in and out. He does okay for money. Some of the boys move hash and other stuff around the world. Officials don’t seem to know about hollow boards,’ said Sadie. ‘Not my business, I don’t pry.’
Catherine was still digesting this piece of information when there was the sound of a car.
‘That’s not the guys.’ Sadie put a jug of hot milk on the table as the door opened and Abel John stuck his head inside.
‘Anyone home? Hey, Sadie, hey, Catherine. Hoped you’d find this place. PJ around?’
‘They’re gone. We’ve been out, too. Coffee’s on.’
Catherine jumped up and hugged Abel John. ‘Great to see you. Is Eleanor okay, does she want the car back?’
‘Course not. She said she’d loaned it to you for the duration.’
‘Where’ve you been hanging, Abel John?’ asked Sadie pouring another mug of her thick local coffee.
‘Escaping. Been fishing. Got a few. As I was on this side I wondered if you guys could handle a decent chunk of mahimahi.’
Sadie winked at Catherine. ‘The universe provides. We were just discussing what to cook for dinner. You staying?’
‘Thanks. Have to get back to the family. Always something happening. And I need to check in at the Palm Grove.’ He smiled at Catherine. ‘Glad to see you’re getting into the local groove. Say hi to PJ.’
He went out to his car followed by Sadie to collect the fish.
Summer appeared, rubbing her eyes. ‘What’s happening?’
‘Mahimahi for dinner. Abel John has been fishing.’
‘Groovy. You cooking, Catherine?’
‘Er, not really. Happy to if you show me what to do.’
Sadie came in flourishing a big silver fish. ‘What a beauty. We’ll cook it over the open fire outside. What else will we have with it?’
‘Salads?’ offered Catherine, remembering all the fresh greens and vegetables that were left over from lunch.
‘And baked yams. In the coals,’ added Summer.
Catherine sat on the verandah as the women organised the children and made preparations for dinner. They’d handed her a glass of not very good red wine and told her to lay back. She assumed she’d be given chores later. She felt herself unwinding. She hadn’t realised there was such tension inside her body. Staying at Nirvana was a bit like being in a big family, or with a bunch of school friends. How Mollie would love this. She’d be right in there arguing, chatting, laughing, cooking with the women.
As Catherine sipped her wine, knowing that Abel John would tell Eleanor that she was okay and with no family or husband to report to, she started to relish this taste of freedom. She put her feet up on the railing, closed her eyes and hummed along to Diana Ross singing ‘Touch Me in The Morning’.
She jerked as a hand lightly touched her shoulder.
‘Hey there.’
She looked up to see PJ smiling at her. ‘Where’d you spring from?’
‘Not far. Came back to get a different board. Thought you might like to come down. It’s going to be a great sunset,’ he said.
‘Okay. I’ll get my camera.’
‘Don’t hurry. Finish your wine. I’ll grab some drinks to take down. Maybe some pupus.’
‘We won’t be too long? I’m s
upposed to help cook dinner.’
‘It’ll happen. Don’t worry. The guys’ll be back to eat.’
‘I don’t s’pose you can surf in the dark anyway,’ commented Catherine as she collected her bag.
‘Full moon is good. Inside the reef. Wouldn’t risk the bities in the dark in deep water.’
‘Sharks?’
He nodded. ‘See you shortly.’
They drove to the opposite end of the rocky beach from the Goddess pool. PJ drove slowly, glancing at the sea or up at the green hills as if searching for something. He didn’t talk much and Catherine felt comfortable, not feeling the necessity for making smalltalk or filling in the space between them.
PJ pointed as they came around a bend in the road. ‘Out there. Word spreads when there’s good waves peeling like that.’
There were a dozen or so board riders out where he pointed.
‘Peeling? What’s that?’
‘When the wave breaks evenly from one end to the other along its length. It makes for a good long ride,’ said PJ.
‘Oh, I see. There must be a lot to learn. About the ocean, the waves, the best way to ride them, I suppose,’ ventured Catherine.
PJ glanced at her. ‘Yeah. And more. It’s not just a sport, a physical thing, it becomes a mystical thing. Hypnotic, some say spiritual, it’s a control thing, intellectual exercise, all kinds of things. Hard to explain to someone outside – only a surfer really knows.’
He parked the wagon and sat for a few moments watching several riders weave down the wave, kick out and paddle back up to the line where they waited for another set. ‘Damien’s out there. Some of the Aussies are pretty aggressive surfers. Think they have to keep proving themselves. Pro competitions are starting up everywhere now. It’ll get big time for sure. Money, business will get into it and the whole thing will change. But the essence – the rider and the wave – that’s the heart of it, that won’t change.’
This had been a big speech for PJ. He got out and pulled out the two surfboards he’d brought along. ‘You want to have a ride? I’ll take you over the other end where it’s not a heavy swell, be a decent ride into the beach. Got the big board.’ He pointed at the long board. ‘Be another hour before the sun goes down.’