“May I have this dance?” Brent asked, holding his open palm to her.
She fell into him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and held her hand in his, between them, pressed against his chest. The delicate bones in her hand, so fragile. Like a China doll. He held her, pulling her closer.
“Hey. It’s all right,” said Brent, leaning back and looking into her tear-filled eyes before pulling her close again. “He’s gone. He had too much to drink. Chad’s talking to him now. I don’t think he’ll bother you again.”
Shade hiccupped as she tried to talk, but she couldn’t get the words out.
“Shh. Let’s dance. It’s a beautiful night. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
Her shoulders softened. She leaned into him, swaying to the music. She felt safe.
“You realize you blew it, don’t you?” he whispered in her ear.
She leaned back and looked quizzically into his smiling eyes.
“You know, five-thousand square foot house in the tony suburb of Elm Grove. A Porsche. You could have had it all.”
She laughed and inclined back into the security of his arms.
Tyler watched the whole scenario unfold, his lips curling, nostrils flaring. He spotted Wayne staggering at the edge of the pool, alone, smoking a cigar and staring into space. Tyler scanned the area, searching. He found a kiwi sitting atop a table adorned with tropical fruit. Sneaking behind a large palm tree, he positioned himself into his pitcher’s stance. Target. Wind up. Rear back. Fire. Just how Brent had taught him. The kiwi left his hand at an impressive rate of speed, whacking Wayne on the back of his head and propelling him forward into the pool, cigar and all. Bullseye!
Wayne emerged from the water rubbing the back of his head, a limp cigar dangling from his lips.
Tyler leapt in the air, high-fiving the palm tree. He straightened his bow-tie and went back to enjoy the party. Out on the dance floor, he spotted them—Brent and Grandma—swaying to the music. He let out a slow sigh. Life was good.
Chapter Nineteen
Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?
Job 37:15-16
“Tyler, Brent will be here soon. Don’t forget to grab your hat and sunscreen.” She opened the small refrigerator to grab a bottled water. “Tyler, come over here, please. What’s this?”
He slapped his hands on top of his head, feigning surprise, gasp and all. “Oh, wow! Now I remember. I put the ring pillow in the refrigerator so it wouldn’t get stolen. I forgot. I looked everywhere for it.”
“Tyler. I don’t believe you,” said Shade, hands on hips. “That wasn’t a nice thing to do. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Tyler’s eyes glossed over, as he pursed his lips and stared at Shade. “I’m sorry, Grandma.”
Brent’s knock disrupted the uneasy moment. “Hey, buddy, why the down face?”
“I did a bad thing, and Grandma is not happy with me.”
Brent glanced at her, eyebrows raised.
“Tyler, tell Brent what you did.”
“I thought the ring bearer pillow was dumb so I hid it in the refrigerator,” said Tyler, looking at his feet. “I lied to Grandma and said I didn’t know where it was.”
Brent turned away to conceal his smile. “Well, I planned on giving you this baseball, but now I’m not sure if I should. I’ll let your grandmother decide.”
“I brought my glove,” said Tyler, his face beaming. “Can I have the ball, Grandma?”
“You can take your glove today, but I’ll decide later if you get the ball.”
They set out at daybreak for the road trip to Hana, stopping along the way to buy a picnic lunch.
“It’s about the journey, not the destination,” said Brent. “The town of Hana itself is small with few attractions, but the ride is full of hairpin turns, ocean-side cliffs, and insanely gorgeous scenery. I think you’ll love it.”
Reaching the winding road, Shade and Tyler were struck by the raw, lush landscape and cascading waterfalls that appeared around every turn.
“Now this feels like real Hawaii,” Shade remarked. “It takes my breath away. The zig-zag road makes me feel lightheaded.”
“Some people take Dramamine before they go. I should have warned you. Do you think you’ll be okay?”
“I’ll be fine. Tyler, are you okay back there?”
“Yeah. Can you go faster, Brent?”
“Not unless you want to take the more scenic route—over the side of the cliff and into the ocean,” said Brent. “Wait until you see the black sand beach. We’ll stop and have lunch there.”
Brent followed the road leading to Waianapanapa State Park. He pulled a blanket from the trunk, along with their cooler packed with sandwiches and water.
“Here we are. Pa’iloa. The black sand beach.”
“It’s spectacular,” said Shade, looking out at the cresting waves pounding against the jagged cliffs surrounding the beach. “It’s like a postcard from God,” she sighed.
They waded near shore, Brent’s eye on them both. Tyler was enthralled by the size and power of the waves, repeatedly knocking him off his feet and causing him to shriek with laughter. Exhausted, they walked back to the blanket to eat lunch.
Brent studied them. Laughing together. Talking. She lay stretched next to him on the blanket. Her body, long and slender. Her calves, smooth and shapely. He considered the previous night when he held her in his arms. She seemed oblivious to the effect she had on him.
He felt a sudden urge to touch her. To kiss her. Right here. He was reminded of the classic beach scene from Kendra’s favorite movie, From Here to Eternity. Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, rolling on the beach, kissing passionately, while waves crashed over their waterlogged bodies, nearly washing them out to sea. He thought it was comical, but Kendra would let out a passionate sigh each time she watched that scene. He could picture her now, curled up on the sofa, hugging a folded pillow in her lap, a box of tissue on the table. How he loved her, despite her quirky habits.
“Hey, Brent, can we go surfing?” asked Tyler.
Brent was shaken from his thoughts. "I can give you a few lessons tomorrow, if your grandmother says it’s okay.”
“You’ve surfed before, I take it,” said Shade. “Can we go somewhere calmer? Maybe you can teach me, too.”
“I admire your courage.” He stood. “We’d better get going. I have one more thing to show you. The Seven Sacred Pools.”
The next stop on their road trip took them into a verdant valley and rainforest. They hiked the sloping path, bypassing tropical fruit trees and a bamboo forest. Each available nook exploded with flora and fauna, the shouts of insects and birds coming from every direction. The trail ended at cascading waterfalls tumbling into several plunge pools. The last pool emptied into the ocean along the Kipahula coastline. They lowered themselves in, bathing in the cool, turquoise water.
“I’m in paradise,” Shade sighed, floating on her back, staring up into the cloudless blue sky. Brent’s presence beside her stirred unwanted feelings. Thoughts that frightened her. She tried pushing them away.
“Anything special you want to do before I go back to Michigan?” asked Brent, as he drove back to the resort.
“I just wanna surf,” said Tyler.
“Sounds good,” said Brent. “Then I’d like to take you both somewhere nice for dinner. A special restaurant on the beach.”
“It sounds wonderful,” said Shade. “Are you sure you want to spend your last day with us?”
“There’s no place I’d rather be than here with you both,” he said.
The candor with which he said it caused her heart to flutter. She stared at him, studying his profile. Her body flushed warm. He wasn’t looking for a response; he stated what was on his mind. And she didn’t offer a reply. But Tyler did.
“You know what, Brent? There’s no one else I wanna be with except you and Grandma. And
I don’t wanna be with that coconut man, Wayne. I’m glad he left. And I’m glad he fell in the pool with his clothes on.”
“Well, thanks buddy,” said Brent, smiling.
When they arrived at the resort, he walked them to their room. He wanted to embrace her, kiss her cheek, or better still, throw her on the bed.
“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow,” said Shade. She leaned forward and gave him a hug. A ‘hey, good-seeing-you-old-pal’ type hug. But he held on, his breath caressing her neck. Tyler rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Brent’s legs.
“Thanks, Brent,” said Tyler. “I can’t wait to go surfing.”
Brent smiled and ruffled his hair. “Good night, buddy. See you tomorrow.”
Brent returned to his room, tormented. He searched the contents of the mini-fridge and found a small bottle of Scotch. He hadn’t had Scotch in years, but he needed something to take the edge off. After pouring a glass over ice, he went out onto the balcony. He couldn’t read her, but his feelings for her consumed him. She never spoke of a husband. Was she widowed? Divorced? And Tyler’s parents—where were they? And why did she have custody? She was a mystery. This intriguing woman who tortured his soul. He felt the liquid dripping through his veins like an IV, tension disintegrating. He loved that little boy, like his own. Tomorrow. Their last day together. He wanted his intentions known. Out in the open. Before they returned home.
She stood in the shower, the warm water beating hard against her bare skin, washing away her unfulfilled passion. Anguish pricked her core. He was perfect. But he deserved so much more. She was stained. Her inexcusable choices had left a mark on her. CAUTION: DO NOT TOUCH. Her mission in life was raising Tyler. Dear God, help me stay focused on my vow so I can live the life you intended for me. Raw emotion escaped. She tilted her face toward the shower head. The water rained down. Help me get through this last day. Then everything will fall back into place.
The next morning, Brent took Tyler to the beach to play catch while Shade sunbathed on a lounge chair. “Have you been practicing the pointers we discussed?” asked Brent, while they were warming up.
“Yeah,” Tyler replied. He came near to Brent, whispering. “I did everything you said when I threw that piece of fruit and hit Wayne in the head. When he fell in the pool.”
Brent’s eyebrows gathered. He spoke in a low voice. “What did you do?”
“At the wedding. After you helped Grandma get away from him. I hid by a tree and took a piece of hard fruit. And I did what you taught me. Wind up, rear back, fire. I threw it fast, and it knocked his stupid body in the pool.”
Brent knelt and put his hands on Tyler’s shoulders. “Listen,” he said, “I won’t tell your grandmother, but I don’t want you to do that again. You have a fast pitch. You need to be careful and not use your special gift in a bad way. Someone could get hurt. Understand?”
Tyler’s eyes welled with tears, as he looked at his toes curling in the sand. “I’m sorry, Brent. I did another bad thing. Next time I’ll throw something soft. Like a muffin.”
“No, not even a muffin. You should never throw anything at anybody.” Brent wrapped his arms around Tyler, patting his back. “Hey, let’s get to work and get some pitches in before we go surfing. Okay?” A wry smile seized the corner of Brent’s mouth when he turned away. It had taken great restraint not to high-five him and commend his resourcefulness.
After renting surfboards and wetsuits in Lahaina, Brent drove to Launiupoko Beach in West Maui.
“The waves here are long, slow and rolling. Perfect for beginners.”
“So, how did you learn to surf?” asked Shade.
“In college. I went to Pepperdine University in Malibu, California and took a surf class for PE credit. I got hooked. Spent most of my free time surfing. I haven’t been in a while, but it’s like riding a bike. You don’t forget.”
“You kinda strike me as the surfer boy type,” said Shade, smiling.
“Thanks, I think,” he grinned. “Okay, are you two ready?” he asked, after unpacking their gear.
“Yeah,” said Tyler, digging his feet in the sand, faking a surfer’s stance. Arms out, one foot in front of the other, shifting back and forth.
“We need to go through a few things before we get in the water,” said Brent. “Look at your surfboard. They call the line down the center the stringer. The front of the board is the nose and the back is the tail. When you’re surfing and you want to stop, sit at the tail and pull the nose of the board up. Ninety percent of surfing is paddling in the water. When you’re lying on your belly, keep your fingers together, and pull your hands through the water. Like swimming freestyle. When you’re ready to stand up, there are four steps to remember; push up with your hands on the board, bring both knees to your hands, put your front foot on the stringer between your hands, then stand up by pushing off with your back foot. But before we get in the water, let’s practice in the sand.”
After practicing, Brent moved into the water. “Okay, watch me first, then we’ll all get in and try it.”
Shade and Tyler stood on shore while Brent demonstrated. He was fearless in the water. His tight wetsuit against his firm abs and strong shoulders played with her mind. He was confident. Never showy. Just quietly sure of himself. He had nothing to prove.
Brent paddled out, then positioned the nose of the surfboard toward the beach. He glanced behind, searching for the ideal wave. Finding one, he paddled hard as the tide raised him higher. He waited until he caught the white-water roll. Bringing his knees to his hands, he pushed up and rode the wave into shore.
Tyler watched from shore, jumping around and clapping, before running into the water. “I’m ready. Can I try it?”
Tyler was a natural. And fearless like Brent. Shade was hesitant but slowly catching on. They practiced paddling, standing and riding the waves. Shade continued to wipe out when she caught a wave. Feeling incompetent after watching her seven-year-old grandson master the technique, Brent took her aside and gave her some pointers.
“Don’t get discouraged. You’re doing good. It’s easier for Tyler because he’s shorter. Keep trying. I think you’re too far forward when you’re on your tummy. Try laying further back. As the wave takes you, arch your back and put more weight on your legs and thighs. And keep your feet closer together with your knees bent, arms loose, and your eyes forward.”
When she conquered her first wave, she screamed out, “Look. I’m standing. Everyone, get out of my way.” Brent laughed at the exhilaration on her face. Within a few hours, they were both riding waves like quasi-decent surfers.
During the ride back, Shade and Tyler couldn’t stop talking about their experience.
“That was crazy fun,” said Shade. “I felt so free, gliding on top of the water.”
“Brent, can you take us again tomorrow?” asked Tyler.
“Honey, Brent is leaving in the morning.”
“Brent, why can’t you stay?” asked Tyler.
“I have to get back to work.” He glanced at her. “Trust me, if I could I’d change my flight, but it isn’t possible. But I’m looking forward to taking you both to dinner tonight.”
Chapter Twenty
Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Song of Songs 8:6
The striking figure at the door knocked him breathless. It was written in his gaze. Her chestnut hair, streaked with threads of sun-kissed gold, hung over her bare shoulders. His eyes followed her as she gathered her purse, the flowy pale blue dress draping her body as she moved.
“Well, we’re ready for our dinner date,” she said, smiling. Her head turned toward the lanai, but her eyes hung on his as she called out, “Tyler, Brent is here.”
“You look beautiful,” said Brent, surrendering to his impulses.
“Hey, Brent. How do I look?” asked Tyler, fingering his pink bow tie and strutti
ng around the room. “Grandma let me wear the ring bearer outfit but without the pillow.”
“Whoa. You look handsome, buddy. I love the bow tie.”
“And you look handsome,” said Shade, her cheeks glowing. The words fell out before she could stop them. She found her stare unwavering from his blue-sky eyes, pulling her into him. His black tailored pants hugged his taut waist and long legs. The sleeves of his white linen shirt were rolled, exposing tanned forearms and solid wrists. Her breath seized.
“What a gorgeous setting,” said Shade, when the maître d escorted them to their beach-side table. The sun dipped into the ocean, splashes of orange and red bathing the sky.
“I thought you’d enjoy this place.”
“Have you been here before?” asked Shade.
“Yes. They have excellent seafood. Hey, Tyler, do you like fish?”
“I eat everything. My grandma says she can make me anything, and I eat it. Maybe I’ll have a tuna fish sandwich.”
“I don’t think they have tuna sandwiches, but since you’re an adventurous eater, try something different,” said Brent, tousling Tyler’s hair. He turned to Shade. “How about some wine? Maybe a bottle of red? And they have a Kiddie Mai Tai on the menu for Tyler.”
“Sounds like a perfect way to celebrate our last night together in Hawaii. And why don’t you order dinner for us since you’re more familiar? We like surprises. Don’t we, Tyler?”
“Yeah. Like when we saw Brent at the pool. That was my most favorite surprise ever.”
“Guess what, buddy. It was my favorite surprise, too,” said Brent, winking at Shade.
The Essence of Shade Page 17