by Jillian Neal
He winked at her and followed the girls to Malani’s jeep.
“Can you surf?” Malani asked hesitantly.
“No,” Fionna shook her head and took Dan’s hand as he helped her into the back of the Jeep. He seated himself beside her.
“I figured.”
“Everyone here knows me as Maylea, so if you say Fionna they might not know who you’re talking about.” Fionna whispered. Dan had assumed as much, given the past five minutes and the fact that he’d never heard her own parents refer to her as ‘Fionna.’
“I know you’re supposed to be recuperating and chilling with your ku’u ipo,” Malani sassed.
Fionna rolled her eyes, but then giggled with Malani.
“What does that mean?” Dan whispered.
“Several things, but ‘Lover,’ in this case.” Fionna raised her eyebrow at Malani. “Would you behave? How’s Kai?” She changed the subject quickly.
Malani beamed, “He’s good. We were hoping you two would come over for dinner in a few days.”
“We’d love to.” Fionna looked thrilled with the idea.
“Well, Tutu is pretty insistent that you rest and that you let her restore your rhythms. You do feel off, Maylea. She’s been cooking up oils and potions ever since we heard about what happened. Of course, I knew something horrible was going to happen. She’d been chanting for days. She’ll probably have you and Dan in a bathtub as soon as I drop you off.”
Fionna giggled. “I figured,” she admitted. Dan knew that Fionna called her mother’s mother Tutu, and that her grandparents ran a small farm where they raised and harvested plants. They used most everything they raised for oils and herbal remedies that they sold. Several of them stayed in their bathroom. Dan loved the way they smelled, and Fionna seemed to calm and re-center whenever she used them.
They were heading South from the airport when Malani abruptly gasped, “Do you want me to take you to…?” The car slowed. She turned to study Fionna while blinking back tears.
Fionna shook her head. “I’m not up to that today. Maybe later.”
“Malani and I usually go to Hanakapiai Beach before I go to my grandparents,” she explained quietly.
Dan wrapped his arm around her. “If you want to go, baby, I’ll take you.”
“Maybe in a few days.” she forcibly willed away tears.
Hanakapiai Beach was the beach where Fionna’s mother had drowned. She’d told him that she always made a lei and took it out to the waters there whenever she visited.
Dan kept his arm wrapped around Fionna’s shoulders as he studied the landscapes. It was astounding. Lush green trees, grasses and shrubs filled the roadside. To his right were majestic mountains that shot upward and stabbed the azure blue sky. To his left was the mighty Pacific. Teal blues mixed in with the sandy waves as they crested against the shorelines. Beauty surrounded him and most importantly his beautiful Kauai-an baby was nestled against him with a broad grin spread across her face. Her eyes danced in elation as she took it all in, staring at every tree and every flower as if they might disappear if she looked away.
Traffic slowed as they drove through a bustling town with antiquated storefronts, artsy boutiques, surf shops, and coffee cafes. Fionna sighed contentedly. Her entire being soaked up the tiny town of Kapa’a. “This is one of my favorite places in the world. Malani and I used to take the bus up here and hang out all day.” She pointed out her favorite coffee shops and walk-up restaurants.
Malani turned off of the main highway and began driving over small twisting lanes past small shack houses. The houses disappeared into expansive pieces of land covered with coconut trees.
Dan smirked as Malani halted the car to allow several roosters to pass in front of them. Neither Malani nor Fionna seemed to think this was odd, so he didn’t comment.
Continuing down a one-lane dirt road they travelled through a large gate and then stopped at a small, green, one-story home with a low pitched roof. An expansive porch ran the length of the house on all four sides. Roosters and hens pecked around the home that was set off by the most astounding floral display Dan had ever seen. It was truly beautiful.
Dan guided Fionna out of the Jeep and reached for their luggage.
“Just set those on the front steps. We’re staying on the other end of the farm in one of the ohanas. Tutu believes that everyone needs their own piece of heaven, and she says no one should have to hear Papa snoring except for her,” she giggled. “They have several all around the farm.”
“Maylea, e kipa mai, my love.” A woman Dan knew instantly must be Fionna’s grandmother beckoned them as she glided from the swinging screen door.
Her island heritage showed in the graceful lines that etched her face. She was beautiful, and Dan felt he was somehow looking into his future as he stared at a seventy-five year old version of Fionna.
“Tutu,” Fionna sighed blissfully as she embraced her grandmother. “Tutu, this is Dan my fiancée.” She stepped away of her grandmother’s embrace and took Dan’s hand.
He felt her rhythms soothe just being on the island. It seemed to restore and calm her.
“Dan.” Fionna’s grandmother embraced him tightly.
“Hi, it’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for having us,” Dan offered distractedly. He was astonished at the lands and the way Fionna seemed to bloom when she stood amongst the flowers.
“Where is my grandbaby?” A man with a broad chest, round stomach, and one of the kindest smiles Dan had ever seen sauntered onto the front porch, beaming at Fionna. “Maylea, get over here. Let me look at you,” Fionna’s grandfather ordered.
She rushed into his arms. Her entire being glowed with his love. “Prettier every time I see you, just like your mama.”
“This the one, Maylea?” He offered Dan his hand.
Fionna nodded as Dan shook his callused hand heartily. “All right, sweetheart, as long as he makes you smile, that’s all your Papa wants.” Fionna’s grandfather acquiesced much quicker than her father had.
“Come inside, Maylea. I have made you tea that will have you on the path to becoming you again,” her grandmother commanded cryptically.
Fionna smiled. “All right Tutu, but I want to show Dan the farm and the guest houses.”
“Dan, this,” Tutu gestured out to the surrounding land covered with beautiful indigenous trees and shrubs, numerous gardens that extended much further than Dan could see, along with several out buildings, “is the farm. The beach a mile or two that way.” She pointed back out the front door as they made their way onto the porch. “The guest houses, we call them ohanas, that way.” She pointed to the west end of the farm. “There, now you can have my tea. I’ve been brewing it since this morning,” she instructed Fionna.
Dan chuckled as Fionna shook her head at her grandmother.
“Oh, take off your shoes,” Fionna instructed as she slipped off the sandals she’d worn. Dan followed suit and made a mental note to always remove his shoes before entering a home on the island.
“Maylea, this will ease any pain and let you heal, my precious girl,” her grandmother fussed over her as they entered the rustic kitchen.
Malani giggled, “I told you, and I’m going to run before she makes me drink any. Call me whenever you want to get together.” She kissed Fionna on the cheek and did the same with Tutu.
“I will,” Fionna assured her friend before settling at her grandmother’s ancient laminate kitchen table. “I’m ok Tutu. I’m much better actually.”
“Yes, well, you never did want anyone to worry after you. I have several remedies I put in the ohana where I want you to stay for Dan to help you with,” her grandmother informed her as she poured a large mug of tea and added lemon and honey and set it down in front of Fionna.
Shrugging, Fionna sipped the tea. “She’s pretty much always right, so…”
Dan gazed at her adoringly as she drank with more vigor. When the mug was empty, she looked impressed with the restorative effects the tea had and request
ed a second mug.
“She always argues. I’m always right,” Tutu informed Dan, who chuckled as he sipped a glass of spring water he’d been supplied.
“Now, Dan,” Tutu began, “Maylea needs to be given baths each day she’s here. I’ve put all of the oils and salts I want you to add to her baths twice a day in your cottage. I added massage oils as well, along with a few compresses I’d like you to heat and apply wherever she experiences pain.”
Fionna blushed violently. She squeezed her eyes closed.
“Uh, okay,” Dan agreed, not certain what else to do.
“Maylea, I made you and Dan a fresh batch of Ohia lehua.” Tutu turned back to Fionna.
Dan watched Fionna’s expression turn horrified. “Okay, please don’t talk about that. I’ll explain it to Dan later!”
“Maylea, it is part of your healing,” Tutu scoffed. “If you use it, it will help.”
“I know, but just please,” Fionna begged.
Shaking her head, Tutu drew a deep breath. “On the mainland far too long again, I see. The tea, you feel better, yes?”
“Yes,” Fionna begrudgingly agreed.
“You need to heal Maylea. Dan needs to heal. I can feel it in his spirit as well.” Her grandmother reached and patted Dan’s hand. “He is carrying something he longs to rid himself of. Let the island heal you both, Maylea. It always has before. Let us help you, ku’u lei.”
“Go sit by the waves, walk the farm, swim in the spring waters, and breathe in the air, Maylea. Your spirit is choking. I cannot let you go on like this.” Fionna’s grandmother spoke from depths of wisdom that had Dan instantly mesmerized.
Fionna’s grandfather came into the kitchen just then. He kissed Fionna’s cheek. “And I went out and got Maylea’s coffee this morning just for my girl.” Her grandfather clearly wanted to spoil Fionna. That was a feeling Dan understood only too well.
Her eyes danced excitedly. “Thank you.” She hugged her grandfather tightly.
“Let us get you to your ohana suite,” Fionna’s grandmother urged.
“You be okay in my truck, Maylea?” Her grandfather looked concerned.
“I’ll be fine. I promise, Papa.”
Dan and Fionna were crammed inside the cab of Fionna’s grandfather’s truck with both of her grandparents. Dan pulled Fionna into his lap, delighting both she and her grandmother.
“That’s the waterfall.” Fionna pointed to a lush water spring with a small waterfall that was surrounded by tropical vegetation. It did look idyllic. Dan smiled as he winked at her.
“Four baths before the falls, Maylea. You cannot accept this spring water just yet. And Salt Pond tonight.” Each time her grandmother spoke, wisdom seemed to permeate the air. I should have brought her here days ago. This is the only thing that will make her well. His own realization shocked him. It was as if he’d heard someone else explain this.
With another turn down a tree-lined path, Fionna’s grandfather halted the truck.
Dan took in the small, weathered, square, cottage home with a green roof surrounded by local vegetation. He helped Fionna out of the truck and grabbed their suitcases from the back.
The cottage was simple. It contained two enclosed rooms. One half of the house contained a living room with a couch and mismatched chairs that seemed to fit perfectly. The other end of the open room was a tiny kitchen.
Dan noted a very nice coffee maker on the counter and stacks of bagged Kona coffee beans nearby. Fionna’s grandfather had taped a small piece of notebook paper on one of the silver bags declaring the stash to be Maylea’s coffee.
Fionna beamed as she led Dan into the other half of the house. There was a queen sized bed, a dresser, two bedside tables, and an antique washstand that contained several brown bottles closed with droppers, compresses, screw top jars and containers.
They all had white labels with hand written information on them. A few Dan recognized from home, the ones Fionna’s grandmother mailed to her each month.
There was a screened in porch off of the bedroom that took up a fourth of the small cottage. In the center of the porch was a massive bathtub. Rolling curtains in floral patterns that could be pulled hung over the screens, but currently the bathtub was exposed to anyone that might wander upon the house. The large windows between the porch and the bedroom were wide open as well.
“Dan,” Tutu called as he was setting their luggage in the bedroom.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“When we leave, place seventeen drops of this, fourteen drops of this, and a cup of this into Maylea’s bath. Then add 1 container of the salts here. Sit with her. Hold her against you. She needs you. She needs to be worshipped, and the bathtub is big enough for even you.” Her grandmother seemed to find no issue with the fact that she was ordering Dan to take a bath with her granddaughter.
He listened intently.
“Tell her to breathe deeply and relax. She is chaotic. You feel this, yes?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He saw no reason to lie.
“Relax and feel the rhythms of the island. Let it move you. Let it heal you. Maylea is a keiki hanau o ka ‘aina. Let it heal her,” she concluded.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what that means, Ms. Iona.”
Fionna’s grandmother patted Dan’s cheek. “A child of the land. And the land will not only heal her Dan, it will heal you both. It will bring you together if you allow it. And you must call me Tutu, everyone on my island does.”
“She will tell you what this does.” She pointed to a large glass jar with a screw top lid. “For me, try to get Maylea to relax and listen to her own rhythms, the rhythms of our family, and the rhythms of the island. You will be surprised,” she offered wryly.
Dan wondered if he should have taken notes on the prescribed remedies. “I’ve written it on the labels.” Fionna’s grandmother seemed able to read his mind.
“Thank you.” He wasn’t certain why he was suddenly so willing to follow instructions from what he would have called nonsensical drivel a few months before.
But as Fionna moved to him from the kitchen and Dan wrapped his arm around her, he knew why. She felt so much stronger. She was less chaotic, as her grandmother had pointed out. They’d been there less than an hour, and Fionna’s energy was already beginning to heal.
“The lands are yours, you know this Maylea. Pick anything you want and feast. I put a pot of my Chicken Long Rice soup in the refrigerator. Your Auntie Agnes sent you half of the bakery, I think. So relax and enjoy.” Tutu chuckled, and Fionna’s energy lilted in excitement.
“We are off. We’ll be working on the other end of the farm for most of this week, taking in a fresh crop of Awapuhi for Maylea’s hair creams, but if you need us you know where to find us.”
“Thank you, Tutu, for everything!” Fionna clung to her grandmother fiercely.
“A bath, Maylea, very soon.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she placated. Dan and Fionna waved to her grandparents as they drove away.
The Man Beneath
“So do you think my grandmother is crazy?” Fionna looked terrified that Dan was going to tell her yes.
“No.” He shook his head.
“You don’t?” she quizzed incredulously.
Dan sank down on the sofa in the living room and guided Fionna beside him. He was shocked at the comfort of the mismatched furniture.
Fionna smiled. “Tutu doesn’t see any point in furniture matching because she says all that matters is your comfort and ability to relax. She thinks that once you sit down you can’t see if what’s under your rear end matches anyway.” She blushed again and rolled her eyes.
“Makes sense.” Dan earned himself another incredulous glare. “She reminds me of you.” He gathered her long hair gently with his fingers and brushed it behind her shoulder.
“You think I’m crazy, too?”
“I don’t think either of you are crazy,” Dan corrected her. “And she is very obviously where you got your exceptional Receiving abilities.
”
She nodded her begrudged agreement. He understood that Fionna was caught up in two very different worlds, and that they were pulling her apart at the seams.
She lived in one of the busiest cities in the world. Where things like comfort of furniture and natural remedies were laughed at and scoffed over. Where high price tags and high wages were the cures for whatever might ail you, even if earning them killed you.
But so much of her was a simple farmstead in Hawaiʻi where life was much slower, and the remedies may not cost much, but they actually worked. He knew the rest of the world would laugh heartily if she professed any of that.
“Most of the stuff she makes really does work.” Fionna suddenly felt the need to prove her grandmother’s worth. “Like the kukui oil she sends me.”
Dan nodded, “Baby doll, I think most everything she said makes a lot of sense, and I would really like to try out everything she told us to do. I don’t think it could hurt, and like you just said, it might just work.”
“Tutu is big on baths,” she explained hesitantly.
“Bathing is generally thought to be a positive thing.”
Fionna laughed, but she still seemed caught somewhere between elation to be where she was and embarrassment that Dan might think her family was insane.
Drawing a deep breath and tucking her head under Dan’s chin, hiding away for a few minutes, she continued. “Tutu believes that just about anything can be cured if you eat lots of island food, take long walks in the waters of Kauai, take long baths with her prescriptions, drink the teas she prepares, take long naps, and have long love making sessions.”
Dan could feel her cheeks burn against his neck.
“Sounds like a hell of a vacation to me.” He was certain that Fionna’s grandmother might be one of the wisest people he’d ever met.
“Hey,” he lifted Fionna’s chin and gazed into her frightened eyes. “Everything they did at Georgetown healed you physically,” he allowed.
Fionna’s brow knitted and she nodded.
“But, baby, you’re not okay. I’m not okay. We’re kind of a collective disaster. So how about if we give Kauai and Tutu a try?”