Once the alcohol buzz wore off, I suspected Benni’s anger with me would return. I might become an outcast on the Big Island, but hoped I could salvage my friendship with Alexander. Friendships are so delicate that I was afraid after he talked to Benni, I might lose him, too. I’d come to these islands completely alone and never wanted to be friendless again. With my luck, this trip might even cost me the only other friend I had here, Kimu. Coming through at the critical moment should count for something, but alienating the great grandkids was probably grounds for Hereafter divorce.
We were threading our way through the happy crowd that was leaving the show when Benni stopped and stared at her feet. “My shoes! They’re probably gone by now.” We returned to where she’d slipped them off. Some nice soul had placed them on the ledge of the short planter just beneath the tree where two parrots perched. She steadied herself against me as she stepped into one, then the other. Benni was suddenly two inches taller.
“Let’s go this way.” She took my hand and began to stroll back to the overlook where we could watch the ocean sparkle in the moon’s light.
This wasn’t a good idea. It would only make the memories that much more bitter. I shuffled along, unable to resist even though my heart broke. My chest thumped harder than it had in those moments before taking out Breenfield. I stopped and closed my eyes. “I—I can’t.”
“Can’t? What?”
I glanced down. Her hand still held mine. “This is wrong. Alexander’s waiting for me.”
Benni cocked her head to one side, gazing at me for the longest moment. Her eyes twinkled, a stark reminder of what I could never have. I couldn’t breathe. Could only hear my own blood pounding. Feel the rush of emotions as they raged like hot lava.
It was Benni who spoke first. “I’m sorry.”
The night air was filled with a thousand sounds I’d never forget. Surf rode onto the shore in lazy waves. The help folded and stacked tables and chairs onto carts. Couples laughed. With all that noise, how was it the only sound I heard was that of my heart shattering?
Benni slipped closer. “I’m sorry I forgot to tell you I sent Alexander home. I’m sorry I was so difficult. And most of all, I’m sorry I wasted these few days we had together. I’m not going to be sorry again.”
My throat went dry. When she slipped into my arms, I heard a sound that was long overdue. My voice filled with hope. “Neither am I.”
THANK YOU
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Big Island Blues Page 27