'Tis the Season: A Collection of Mimi's Christmas Books (12 page)

Kale took her aside and put his arm around her, a gesture she appreciated, since the day before, Mano hadn’t left them alone for even a minute. Many people had hugged her that morning, and many whispered words of sympathy, but none meant as much as his. “Did you want me to come with you?”

“No, Kale, you have work waiting, and I know Pi will stay with us. Mano is comfortable with him. We won’t be long but I do need to go through Auntie’s personal belongings to search for her will. We need to see if she’s left instructions for her final resting place before I make any further decisions.”

“I understand. Then I’ll leave you to it.” He kissed her cheek and she watched him walk away—a man in an expensively tailored suit who carried himself like someone used to the world’s best.

* * *

Later, pulling into the driveway of her Aunt’s house for the second time, Leilani could see that the whole place really was as dilapidated as she’d thought earlier. It needed a huge amount of work and money to bring back the charm from days gone by but any property in Hawaii, especially this close to the city, was premium. It would bring in a tidy sum for Mano’s education and a proper nest egg for his future.

They stepped from the vehicle where Mano ignored her, and instead, kept himself amused with the trinkets. She hesitated before entering the house. “Mano, before you go and get cleaned up will you take Pi and me around and show us everything?” Leilani added before he could refuse, “like Kale did when we visited his home.”

She saw him ponder her request first before he nodded, “Okay. You must come this way.” Like the perfect little replica of Kale, he took them through the spacious four bedrooms, two bathrooms and then to closets and even the laundry. Then he beckoned them to follow him out the back door and into the yard.

Old paddock fencing, surprisingly well kept though mostly unpainted, enclosed a small area where a barn-like building, that had a stable on one side leaned slightly and was in desperate need of repair.

From then on, a grove of trees bearing mango and lychees fruit were intermingled with thriving bananas, and gave the appearance of a wild jungle. Desperately needing a gardener’s help, they were being choked from the other lush bushes and weedy looking plants that surrounded them. Palm trees also had a home in the garden, and piles of coconuts were everywhere on the ground. Others, still hanging above, were dangerous if they were to fall on someone.

Before Leilani could say a word, Mano had produced a large stick and had scurried up one of the close-by trees. Unafraid of the altitude, he knocked at the brown fruit until they came loose and dropped. He’d yelled a warning to Pi and Leilani to step back and now she understood what the little devil was up to.

“My goodness, Pi. What in the world? You must stop him…”

“No, we must not. He is perfectly safe and looks like he’s done this for quite some time. I used to do the same at his age. In our village, we used the fruit of the coconut and the milk.” Pi stopped when he saw Leilani watching him. “I know it was a long time ago, but some things never change.”

Leilani laughed and relaxed. “It’s just hard to picture you as a small boy.”

“Hey, I was a handsome lad in my time. Did a lot of foolish things.” All of a sudden, he glanced over to the left and his face became very sad.

“Are you all right?”

“Pi is fine, we must worry about our little mischief maker, instead of a foolish old man who’s lived his life. Come, we’ll coax him down.”

He looked upwards and yelled. “Enough showing off, Mano. We want to see the rest of the property, and then we need some lunch.”

Like all children, the talk of food did the trick, and Mano grinned before scampering to the ground surefooted and agile as a monkey.

The sound of water became louder as they moved further away from the house. Once through a curtain of overgrowth, Leilani got the shock of her life. “Pi, this is beachfront property. Why there’s a wonderful sandy area and even a dock.”

“Yes, it’s beautifully natural, a fine place to whittle away the day, eh Mano? Is this where you spent a lot of time?”

“Tutu and I stayed on the beach a lot before she got sick. We had to do chores first, and then we could play. I like to carve and I find lots of wood here to use.”

Leilani saw the pride in his eyes as he looked all around. He crossed his arms, and his eyes sent a message to her that was unmistakable.
Don’t take me away from my home, or I’ll hate you forever.

Chapter Sixteen

Leilani needed to talk with Kale… desperately. She had no idea what to do about her situation. She’d tried discussing the future with Pi, and all he would say was for her to follow her heart. It was good advice… sure, but not very specific. She craved to be with a person of her own generation who would understand her point of view. That she had a life back in Canada, a home and a job, and couldn’t be expected to uproot everything to move here and live in a house that she had no right to claim.

Leilani’s head had been spinning in circles ever since Mano’s silent ultimatum. Thinking to get a better understanding of her choices, a clearer perspective, she went looking for papers in her aunt’s bedroom. Everything was neatly left in a desk drawer and easy to find. Her entire estate was to go to Mano when he came of age and she had made Leilani’s mother his legal guardian. Leilani noted the name of the firm at the top of the will and placed a call, only to be told that the offices were closed until Monday. Fine, she would call them back, but in the meantime, she left a message in case someone monitored the incoming calls.

Once they returned to the Jordan, Pi took Mano off to see a Christmas special, advertising that Santa was paying a visit to the hotel. It was a treat for children staying with them over the holidays, and promised to be a lot of fun. Leilani knew the boy had looked forward to going, as long as it was Pi taking him of course. He would have refused her company.

Each day, she woke up telling herself it was a new chance to get Mano to like her, to accept her. Each day he pushed harder, and moved further from her arms. Never having had a lot of experience with children, Leilani tried to be thoughtful, and kind, which didn’t seem to matter one iota. The boy wanted his beloved Tutu.

Leilani changed into a flirty pink chiffon skirt topped with a sparkly blouse. As she walked, everything either shimmered or drifted to hug and emphasize her body. Her hair, French braided in an intricate style, softened her face and highlighted her eyes. Or so she’d been told by her friend Shana who could never grow her own hair past her shoulders before she wacked it off in frustration with the thin, flyaway strands.

Feeling the worry lift with every step that brought her closer to Kale’s office, she sauntered and pretended to be unaware of the appreciative male eyes and envious female stares that followed her progress.

The desk clerk was nowhere to be seen, and so Leilani moved behind the counter toward the central office and lifted her hand to knock on the partially opened door.

“James, you have to keep that woman away from me.” Kale’s harsh voice sounded as clearly as if Leilani stood in the room. “She’s become a nuisance, and I won’t tolerate it any longer.”

“Mr. Jordan, I don’t see how I can control her. She’s taken a suite here at the hotel….”

“Yes, I know!”

“She’s very—”

“Needy. I know, but I will not be used or taken advantage of. Miss Taylor…

Oh God!
Clutching her stomach, Leilani stumbled away from the door and hurried to a nearby sofa. She’d fall if she didn’t sit. Tasting the acid in her mouth, she swallowed quickly, and then swallowed again and again, trying desperately not to throw up in public. Kale’s words rang in her head.
Miss Taylor!
A hideous embarrassment flooded and attacked all the soft places that had earlier swelled with love. Horrified, she needed to get out, to leave and never return. To run away from the pain that could bring her to her knees.

Except that she knew she’d never get away. The humiliation would follow and mock her. A vicious part of her conscience whispered.
I tried to warn you he was too good for you, but would you listen? No! Instead, you let your heart make you into a weak fool. Now look where you are.

Beyond tears, she stood, experiencing the weight of her despair and sorrow on narrow shoulders—shoulders that already carried a heavy burden. Totally crushed, she staggered to the elevator where the mirrors portrayed images that mocked her further.

Chapter Seventeen

Finally settled in the house, Mano happily sleeping in his own bed, Pi and Leilani sat together at the kitchen table. The coffee cooled in her cup while his appeared empty. “Let me get you a fill-up.” She rose slowly, arched her back, and then stepped over to the ancient stove where a pot still perked on the burner.

“Are you ever going to tell me what put those lines under your eyes and the stoop in your shoulders?” Pi’s voice was gentle, but firm.

Leilani stopped with her back still to him and closed her eyes. One huge breath was all the relief she would allow herself. Then she whispered, “I’d rather not. You can’t help this time, my friend. Sometimes a girl has to face her reality, and mine is that Mano has to come first. Do you agree?”

An evasive look appeared, and he began checking his hands closely. “That all depends.”

“On what?” She’d get an answer from him one way or another.

“On whether you end up with a broken heart.” He pierced her with a look full of wisdom and kindness. “Mano won’t really appreciate your sacrifice, because he’ll end up having to live with a woman who’ll become embittered and resentful.

“You have it all wrong, Pi. This isn’t my choice at all but I will make the best of it.” After carefully filling his cup, she replaced the pot on the burner and lowered herself back into the empty chair. Picking at the granules of sugar scattered over the table, she purposely didn’t raise her eyes. She couldn’t bear anyone to see, especially the keen eyes of the man sitting across from her.

“I’m sorry, Mea aloha
beloved
. If you need to talk of this, I will always be here. We’re friends now, and I care very much about Mano. So what do you want me to do?”

“I want you to go to the hotel and tell them, because of Mano’s wishes, we have moved into the house. If you see Kale, please inform him that I wish to have some time alone, to deal with my new circumstances. He can forget about us and go about his own affairs.” The last sentence almost choked her, but it needed to be said.

“You want me to use those words?” With his head still down, Pi glance from under lowered eyebrows. His stare intense and thoughtful.

“Yes, use those words. He’ll understand.” She brushed her hands together to wipe away the sugar residue, and then flattened them on the table. Before she could speak again, the back door flew open and an enraged woman hurried into the house.

She looked to be in her thirties, but then the signs of hard living could have added years to a face made up to look older. Cosmetics hid many flaws but rudeness wasn’t one of them. “If you want to enter my house, it might be more polite to knock and wait for me to let you in.” Leilani crossed her arms to confront the agitated female. Her voice held a note not many people heard. Amazed at her reaction to the stranger, the instant dislike she experienced, Leilani stood her ground and waited.

“Your house? That’s a laugh!” The evil chuckle that followed had Leilani wanting to slap another’s face for the first time in her life. Her thoughts were interrupted when the rude bitch spoke again. “Who the hell are you and where are Mele Palea’s belongings? I have a right to know. I’m Kaimi Palea. Mele was my mother.”

A well of fear rose up at the magnitude of the stranger’s announcement, the complications it could cause. What this would mean to her and to Mano? With only seconds to decide, she followed the path that offense is the best defense.

“None of your business! Where’s the proof you are who you say you are?”

“Don’t play with me, I read the obituary in the papers. I know the old lady has kicked the bucket.” She glared her defiance and her ample body, forced into tight shorts and a gaudy, see-through t-shirt, stalked to the door leading into the front room. “Those are her things so you haven’t taken anything away yet.”

“If you read about her ‘passing on’ then you’ll know we held the service today. Too busy to attend, aye?” The sneer could be heard precisely as she’d intended, and fear crawled up her back when the reaction she’d hope for didn’t appear. There wasn’t an ounce of shame on the other’s features. All Leilani saw was resentment and anger mixed with hate. Pi rose to stand beside her, which gave her the comfort of knowing it was two against one.

Apparently, the intruder came to a decision. She turned to look at Leilani and her stoned eyes widened when she also noticed the older man standing beside her. Her demeanor underwent a slight improvement, maybe from having the presence of a third party or maybe just because he was a male. For some reason, she changed her attitude and spoke more civilly.

“I’ve come to find the will my mom would have made. The woman was paranoid about things like that, so I know she has papers here. Since I’m her only living relative, I expect that she’ll have left me the property.” Once her words stopped, her attitude became less belligerent. Her back straightened, and the agitated hands that had been in constant motion, gripped together tightly.

“You are mistaken.” Leilani didn’t mince her words whatsoever. “The property was left to Mano Palea.” Fibbing, and not caring, she added. “The papers are with the lawyer, and you will have to talk with them about any claims you feel you might have.”

“Mano? He’s my son. So if he’s the beneficiary, I would still have the right to the property because he’s mine.”

“Over my dead body!” There was no mistaking Leilani’s meaning. Even for one as high as this girl seemed to be, she caught the tone and a frightened expression appeared for a few seconds.

“Who are the lawyers? I want to talk to them.”

“I don’t know.” She wouldn’t help this…this
person
in any way whatsoever.