When they first moved to Pualena, Anne was so deep in survival mode that all of her focus had been on how she would keep them afloat. She had done her best to help her children adjust to life in Hawaii, but beyond that, her priority had been bringing money in so that she could build a stable life for them there.
She had accomplished that, to some degree. She had no steady work, but she had built them a lifeboat.
Now she wanted to turn her focus to her kids… but at the same time, fear nipped at her heels. Her savings wouldn’t sustain them forever.
Once she moved out of her mother’s house, the cost of living in Hawaii would drain her bank account quickly. It was a funny kind of drowning, watching money flow away – but she knew it well, and she didn’t want to go back there again.
A sudden crash sounded from the carport, making Anne jump. She stepped outside to find Halia sorting through stacks and boxes of stuff, all the accumulated junk of a house that’s held the same family for fifty-plus years.
“What are you looking for?” she asked.
Halia looked up with a start. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, and Anne felt a sudden stab of worry.
“Are you okay?”
Halia nodded curtly. “I’m fine. Just looking for some stuff I’ll need for the fundraiser.”
“Which fundraiser?”
“The yearly fundraiser for A Place of Refuge. You came last year, remember? The family fun fair at the community center?”
“Of course I remember. But wow, I can’t believe that was a year ago.”
“They go by quick.”
“What are you looking for?”
“There’s a keiki pool I always use for one of the games.”
“Oh, that’s over by the catchment tank. Akemi’s been using it for Kaleo.”
“Right.” Halia straightened up and rubbed her eyes.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Just tired. I had to go to the shelter last night to break up a fight between two of the residents.”
“Yikes.”
“Yeah. And then I walked them through a whole ho‘oponopono. It was a long night.”
“Do you want a cup of coffee?”
“I’d love one. Thanks.”
“I’ll make a fresh pot.”
“Okay, I’ll be there in a minute.”
Anne went inside and brewed a small pot of coffee. When Halia failed to appear, she carried two mugs out onto the back porch and peered down at her sister from the railing.
“Come sit down for a minute.”
“Okay.” Halia trudged up the back steps and dropped into a chair. She accepted a cup of coffee, held it under her nose, and took a deep breath.
“You don’t look great,” Anne said frankly.
Halia gave her a flat look. “Thanks.”