“But, Annie, you haven’t been happy for years . . . and then when you disappeared after you lost your company . . .” Izzy had trailed off.
“I’m fine,” Annie had said again, and she’d given Izzy a big cheesy fake smile. “See? And I didn’t disappear.” She’d looked away from the phone, not wanting them to see her discomfort.
“She didn’t. She just needed”—Julia had struggled for the words—“a rest. And she doesn’t need a therapist. If something good would just happen . . .”
Annie had been grateful that Julia understood. Julia Zhang’s family was from Shanghai and clung to many of the same traditions that Annie’s family did.
“What is it with you two?” Izzy had sounded exasperated. “There’s nothing shameful about talking to a professional. I love mine.”
“Tell that to my family.” Julia’s voice had been bitter, and Annie had agreed with her. “Asian people do not have mental health issues.”
“You just need to find the right person.” Izzy hadn’t been ready to give up.
“No, I don’t.” Annie had pursed her lips. She could never bring shame to her family. She’d never talked to her father about how she had struggled when her life fell apart. They just didn’t talk about problems like that. And even her sisters knew only the surface level of everything going on inside her.
They’d stared at each other until Izzy’s lips quirked up. “I give up. I’m not arguing with two Asians who think using Vaseline on their eyes at night will keep wrinkles away.”
Annie had caught Julia’s eyes and a laugh escaped. “It works. We swear by it.”
Izzy shook his head. “All you’re doing is clogging your pores. You poor dears. You poor misinformed dears.”
And Annie and Julia had burst into laughter, as Annie silently thanked Izzy for giving in, and always knowing when to let things go.
She told Serena now about what Izzy had said, and they laughed together.
“Your friends sound so fun,” Serena said.
“Oh, they are. Izzy is hysterical. He hates to see me down on myself. When we first got to Kauai, they’d text and FaceTime all the time to check up on me.” Annie stopped and frowned. “Come to think of it, they’re still checking up on me daily.” She looked at her phone. “They’ll probably text or call sometime today.”
“That’s nice to have friends who care so much, though, no?” Annie detected that wistful note in Serena’s voice again.
“Yes, you’re right. They’d do anything for me.” Annie met Serena’s eyes across the breakfast bar, and that feeling of connection zinged between them again.
The lights flickered, and they both looked up and then back at each other, eyes wide.
Serena made a face. “This storm is scary.”
While they’d been talking, the rain had slowed and was no longer as loud. But now it was picking up again, the patter on the roof intensifying. Annie walked to the window by the front door and gasped at what she saw.
“What?” Serena rushed to her side.
“Look how beautiful the sky is.” Annie pointed. With the sun starting to go down, the sky had turned a deep navy blue, a color that she had never seen before. Every once in a while, lightning flashed, lighting up the sky and illuminating the clouds against the velvety sky. It was beautiful in an eerie way. The rain pelted down, and the wind whipped the palm trees and shrubbery around so hard that she hoped it didn’t rip one right out by its roots.
“I’ve never seen a sky that color before.” There was awe in Serena’s voice.
“Me either.” They both stared out for a few more seconds before Annie turned away. “I hope we don’t lose power,” she said. “Sam thinks we might. Oh, and that reminds me. She said to pack a bag in case we need to evacuate.”
Serena gestured to her windbreaker hanging by the door. “That’s all I have with me. I left my tote in my car.”
“Okay, well, if we need to leave, we can grab yours on the way out. I’ll throw a bag together in a bit.” A moment of silence passed between them, but it wasn’t awkward like it had been when Serena first came into the Ohana. Even Marley was lying quietly by the couch, no longer growling. “I’m glad you’re here,” Annie said.
“Me too.” Serena’s eyes gleamed, and something inside Annie lit up.
Maybe she could make new friends in Kauai after all.
10
Marley suddenly shot off the floor and ran for the front door, barking.
“Marley!” Annie jumped, one hand flying to her heart as she walked over to the dog. “You scared the crap out of me. What’s going on?”
She looked out the window again and at first didn’t see anything unusual, besides the heavy rain and wind. But then she thought she heard a creaking sound over the loud splashing of water, and before she could figure out what it was, a tree on her father’s property fell to the ground, right across the backyard.
“Oh my god!” Annie’s eyes widened in fear. The tree had missed both the main house and the Ohana, but she eyed the others in the yard. What if another one fell? Would it hit them?
Serena rushed to her side and inhaled sharply when she saw the tree on the ground. They turned to each other, and as if synchronized, they both reached out at the same time and grasped each other’s hands.
“What do we do?” Serena asked in a scared voice, squeezing Annie’s hands.
“I don’t know. I guess stay away from the windows?” They scooted away, still connected at the hands. Although that was stupid. If a tree was going to fall on the Ohana, not being near a window wasn’t going to make a difference.
Annie let go of Serena’s hands and surveyed the backyard. “I think we’re okay. The trees in the yard aren’t very big.” She bit her lip, doing a mental measurement of the angle of the trees in relation to the two buildings. “I don’t think they’d fall on either house if they topple over.” She should have paid more attention in geometry.
Her phone dinged and she looked down. It was a text from Sam.
S: You okay?
A: Yeah. That was scary though.
S: Stay inside. Baba doesn’t think any of the trees would hit the house or Ohana.
A: That’s what I thought. We’re not going anywhere.
Annie kneeled down and wrapped an arm around Marley. “Good boy. You must have sensed it, huh?”
“He is a good boy. I’ve always wanted a dog.” Serena took a step toward Marley, and the hair on his back stood up. “I don’t think he likes me very much.”
“He just doesn’t know you yet.” Annie stood, looking at Marley. Why was he so alarmed by Serena?
“You’re so good with dogs. He’s not your first, right?” Serena crossed to the end table and picked up a picture of Lili.
“No. That’s my first dog.” Annie pointed to the frame in Serena’s hand. “Her name was Lilikoi, Lili for short.”
“Passionfruit?” Serena asked.
Annie nodded and walked to her side. “Our family has always loved coming to Kauai, and Lilikoi just fit her.”