'Tis the Season: A Collection of Mimi's Christmas Books (14 page)

Driving toward the house after her visit with the lawyer, she slowed down as she approached the turnoff, only to speed up again when she saw the powerful black Lexus in her driveway. Since she’d been a passenger in that car not so many days earlier, she knew exactly who owned the vehicle. Sure enough, there he was coming around from the side yard with Mano sitting on his shoulders, laughing, while an excited Doberman pranced around the two, his stubby tail wagging ferociously.

Pi, smiling and looking relaxed, waved his hands in a pantomime of storytelling. He also looked happy, his face wreathed in smiles.

Only Leilani felt as if her world had tilted and she clung precariously to stop herself from falling into a big black void. Until she had a chance to talk to Shana about the house in Victoria, she wanted nothing to do with Kale. He’d been slotted in as her ‘last resort’, and she whispered a little prayer that she wouldn’t ever have to turn to him.
Please God!
Don’t let me be needy.
Conflicting emotions whipped at her all at once.

What if she’d made a mistake about Kaimi? In the light of day, Leilani had a hard time accepting that anyone could have been as heartless as that woman had appeared to them the night before. She had to admit that just having the woman show up had thrown her for a loop.

Maybe her fear of losing Mano had hindered her from even trying to give her own cousin, his birth mother a chance… to hear her story? What if circumstances had driven the girl into rebelling, and a helping hand could rejuvenate a lost soul?

Mind in turmoil, she drove around aimlessly, until an overpowering thirst forced her to park. At an ABC store, she bought some water and a sandwich, and then she sat on a bench to nibble and watch the world go by. After choking down a couple of bites, she fed the rest of the crust to the pecking birds, beady eyes begging for handouts.

The time had come for her to question what she intended to do, what her future held. Granted, her priorities certainly had changed. No longer did her mother come first. From now on her responsibility centered on a cheeky devil with scads of curls, dimples that looked like moon craters and eyes that spit anger whenever they looked in her direction.

Loud laughter caught her attention. She let go of her musings to eavesdrop on the noisemakers. They were a group sitting at an outside table in a nearby bar, and one prominent voice had attracted her attention by its loudness, bad language, and insolence.

“Soon, I’ll have it made. No more working the streets for me, I’ll have plenty of dough to buy whatever I want. Drink up. Come on guys, let’s par-tay!”

The tramp!!!

Sure enough it was a drunken Kaimi, the girl who she’d felt sorry for only a few minutes earlier. Obviously, it had been a huge waste of her time and energy.

Leilani’s hand itched to connect with the scads of makeup slathered on the other’s cheek—to hit hard enough to shut her heartless mouth.

Kaimi, whose black blouse gaped so low that an imagination wouldn’t be necessary, worked the table like a pro. Her body language screamed look at me. Worse, her screeching laugh when she told the other losers that her decision not to abort her kid had finally paid off.

Disgust can be visceral, Leilani discovered. It can sicken and make a person’s lip curl in a way that’s offensive to passersby. Quickly hiding her face, she stomped to her car, pulled out her cell phone, and waited for the connection on the other end.

“Shana, I have a really great deal for you.”

Chapter Twenty-one

“Pi,” said Leilani, “I saw Kale here today.” The two were relaxing at the kitchen table, a room where they seemed to spend a great deal of time.

“I know you did. I watched you drive on by. Why didn’t you stop, little one. He wanted to see you, not only Mano.”

“I don’t want to talk with him. Clearly, I have no choice. I need his help.” Leilani looked down and absently brushed at the tiny spot of coffee on her blouse.

She felt his gaze on her. When he spoke, he changed the subject. “What did the lawyer say?” His voice had changed, becoming harder. “I’ve been jumpy all day, waiting to find out.”

At his tone, she glanced up and tried to smile, but it didn’t quite make it. “He seems really nice. His name is Pete Wright, and he’ll be here for dinner tonight. In fact, he’s promised to bring the food with him. I’d like you to stay, if you don’t have any other plans?” Her question was accompanied by a plea, which she knew he’d seen as soon as he reached over to pat her cheek.

“Sure. No problem, Leilani. I hope he brings something good. Mano and I could eat a whale after the day we’ve had. Clearing out the back area is hard work for an old man. Good thing I had the help of a strong lad.”

Mano approached from the other room, a grin plastered over his face from hearing the words just spoken. Careful to sidestep Leilani’s space, he headed straight for Pi. Then he climbed onto the older man’s knee, knowing he’d be accepted with a gentleness that had Leilani breathe a prayer of thankfulness.
I’m so glad you’re my friend!

“What do you have there, Mano?” Leilani noticed that he carried a huge fancy parcel that looked a little like a box of chocolates.

He didn’t look at her, but he did answer. “Kale brought us some Honolulu cookies. Tutu used to buy them sometimes. They’re good, right Pi?”

“Yes you little glutton. They’re good but you need to save some room in that endless hole for real food.” He poked Mano in the stomach and the boy giggled.

A knock on the front door interrupted the light moment and all three stopped. Before Mano could race to answer, Leilani waved him back. In case it was their unwanted visitor from the night before, she went herself. No way she’d let that woman anywhere near the precious child.

“Hi, Pete.” Leilani let out the breath she held.

The lawyer had taken time to change and now looked like a tourist in designer shorts topped by a dressy Hawaiian shirt whose colors matched. “Hi, Leilani. I’ve brought dinner and some wine to go with it. Hope you like sushi. I’ve found a great place near where I live and they make the best Nigiri and Makizushi, even Temakizushi.” He carried two big sacks of food and a bag from a wine store.

As hard as she tried to hide her dismay, she couldn’t quite pull it off. Personally, she loved sushi and went to many wonderful restaurants at home, but five-year-olds weren’t normally fond of the stuff, were they? “I do like sushi, Pete. Thank you. Come with me.” She led him through the now immaculate living room and into the large kitchen area where the other two waited. As they approached the table, she watched as Mano searched Pi’s expression before he turned when she called his attention.

“Mano, this man is your grandmother’s lawyer. His name is Pete Wright.” Since she made points with the child when she introduced him to Kale, she went with her instincts to follow the same procedure with Pete. It became obvious by his stiff frame that it didn’t work this time. He hid his face against Pi’s shoulder and refused to play the game.

Pete looked slightly frayed and so Leilani quickly introduced him to Pi. She noticed Mano watching as the two men shook hands but he said nothing.

Out of his element, Pete’s effusiveness, trying to cover the awkward moment, quickly grated and Leilani stepped in to settle the uncomfortable atmosphere. “Pete has brought us some wonderful food to try. Pi, have you ever eaten sushi? We treat ourselves quite often in Victoria.” Leilani saw the laughter Pi tried to hide and knew he’d thought the same way as she had. Raw fish and small boys didn’t mix.

“I bet sushi is good. Mano we’re in for a treat.” Pi stood up and rubbed his hands together. He began to gather dishes from the cupboards and sent Mano to fetch the cutlery. Leilani put out the placemats and napkins and in no time, they had the seating area set up for four people.

Platters of various types of sushi added color to the table and the nerves at the pit of Leilani’s stomach settled back down to a dull roar. Maybe this would work out after all. Have a nice meal and no dissention.

Mano copied his hero, Pi and gingerly took a bite out of a piece of sushi. “Blech!” He spit it out, and with his eyes closed and his tongue wagging, he reached for his glass, knocking it over. Milk trailed over the table and on to the floor.

“Mano! That’ll be quite enough.” Leilani couldn’t allow this type of behaviour, especially in front of a guest. He had to learn that manners weren’t to be used selectively for different people. She quickly leaned over and wiped up the mess.

“It’s yuck!” His eyes glared with anger, while his little chin stuck out aggressively.

“I think you need a time-out. Go to your room and don’t return until you can behave properly.” Her voice was as firm as she could make it, considering she’d tried so hard not to upset the grieving boy further.

Mano, tears brimming, looked toward Pi for support. His old friend stood and took his hand. “I’ll go with him, Leilani. I’m sorry but I’m afraid I’m not too fond of the sushi myself, although I do thank Mr. Wright for his kindness in bringing it for us.” His grave look at the boy spoke without needing words. Then his slight nod in Pete’s direction confirmed his meaning.

“Thank you for bringing supper.” Mano conceded, albeit with little graciousness.

The two conspirators left the room together.

“I’m so sorry, Pete. I can’t believe he would act so badly. I’m embarrassed.”

“Not to worry, Leilani. I don’t know what I was thinking bringing sushi for a child. Where was my head?” His depreciating manner made her smile. He obviously overreacted for her benefit.

“He’s a good boy, Pete. Just unsettled what with his grandma dying and not knowing what’s going to happen next.”

“Did you tell him about his mother?”

“No. I haven’t decided if he needs to hear about her yet. She’s one more thing he’d have to deal with, and he has enough right now.”

“Have
you
come up with a way to deal with the woman?”

Wiping away the fallen rice granules that decorated her skirt, she bit on her molars and swallowed the harsh words at the tip of her tongue. She’d never forget the lesson she learned earlier. People were not always good. Not always what a person expected, and didn’t always fit into the mold you wanted to place them in. There were bad characters in the world and it was time for her to acknowledge that fact and protect herself and her family.

“I called my friend in Canada, and she will set things in motion for me to sell my house, but sadly, she can’t buy it herself. Just yesterday, she broke down and bought a condominium. Her money is tied up in that purchase.” Leilani’s heart had dropped hearing Shanna explain how, only a few days ago, she’d gotten this overpowering urge to buy a home.

“So that resource won’t be available to you. Do you have someone else who could help?” He saw her hesitation. “Well then, I guess it’s a court case. We’ll need to get enough evidence against this woman to show she’s an unfit parent. A case like that tends to get messy. I hate to put you and the boy through something like that, especially if they separate you.”

Another notion hit her hard. “Do you think my being a Canadian will be against us also?”

“It certainly won’t help.” His manner increased her worry.

“What would you do, Pete?”

“I’d act quickly. Letting her think too long about her options, could create even more problems. If she’s in it for the money, then offering it now would be the best possible course.” He knelt down next to her, and she felt his arms encircle her body. Her head rested for a moment on his shoulder—solace for a sore heart.

It was Pi clearing his throat that forced her head up again and it was the power of Kale’s glare that caught her attention.

Chapter Twenty-two

Leilani couldn’t believe that Kale could stand there while his eyes shot daggers at her. What in the world did he have to be angry about? She’s the one who felt betrayed. Leilani smiled sweetly at Pete and then stood to greet her decidedly unwanted guest. Before she could say a word, Mano flew out of his room and into Kale’s waiting arms. “Kale, you came back!”

Kale turned to catch the boy and lift him high into his arms, uncaring about the grimy clothes rubbing against a suit that would be top of the line. “Hey, Swift. I did. Just as I promised. Didn’t you tell Leilani?”

She watched the interaction between the tall man and the little boy and another twist on her weary heartstrings made her put her arms around her stomach.
Get through this without making a fool of yourself
was the mantra going on in her head.

“Pete Wright. I’m Leilani’s lawyer.” Pete stepped forward and put out his hand which was taken in a firm grip as Kale looked toward him and then back at Leilani. “I believe we’ve met a time or two. You’re Kale Jordan?”

“I am.”

“Your hotels are beautiful, you must be very proud.” Pete wouldn’t take a hint. Schmoozing up to the rich man wasn’t working in his favor.

“Of course.”

Pi spoke up to break the unbearable tension. “Mr. Wright brought a sushi dinner with him tonight.”

“Then I suppose you won’t be wanting the pizza I picked up? Had this terrible urge to stop and splurge and thought you might like to share.”

“Pizza! Oh good! I’m starving.” Mano put his hands on both sides of Kale’s face, his little fingers gently cradling the man’s tanned cheeks. “You’re totally rad, Kale. Thank you. Can I get some now, me and Pi?” Leilani had to bite her lip when she heard Mano’s description of Kale. He’d obviously been watching his favorite movie.

Quite rightly, Kale looked toward Leilani before taking the box from Pi and handing it to her. Uncomfortable didn’t begin to describe the situation. Now what should she do. As if the movie had been put on pause, and the players holding, she sensed the next few seconds would be a turning point in her future.

Graciously, she accepted the pizza and put it on the table. Pete jumped up to help her and in no time, they’d arranged it with the rest of the food and organized another place setting. “Pi could you scrounge up a chair for Kale?”

“Sure, Leilani. I’ll get the one from the desk in the bedroom.”