Serena got their glasses and then sat on the couch next to Annie, who had Marley at her feet.
“How did your father get this house? It’s such an ideal location, right on the water.” Serena glanced out the big picture window behind the sink at the rain, which was still falling steadily. “Well, I guess it’s ideal when there’s not a crazy storm out.”
Annie let out a breath, glad Serena was bringing the conversation away from her panic attacks. “I couldn’t believe it when my father got the house.” It had a private backyard with a canal that connected to the Wailua River, just steps away. They could kayak or paddleboard to the river right from their own yard, or use the private dock a few houses down and through a bamboo tunnel for the residents of this street.
“It does seem like a prime piece of real estate in Kapaa.” Serena was still looking out the window toward the main house.
“He bought this on the same trip that my mother died, if you can believe it.” Annie took a shaky breath, glad her heart rate had returned to normal.
“What?” Serena turned toward her.
“Yeah, crazy, right?” Annie thought back to that time. All three sisters had thought he’d lost his mind. “He didn’t tell anyone that he came to see this house in the days following my mother’s death. He bought it and then didn’t tell us until he was back in New York.” Annie shook her head. “After the funeral, at the dinner for family who’d come, he announced that he was selling their condo and moving to Kauai. That’s when he told us all he’d bought our mother’s dream house here.”
“No way.” Serena sat forward, leaning toward Annie.
“Yup. Apparently, they’d been looking at houses because they were going to move here. But they didn’t tell us. And she’d loved this house when they went to see it right before the hiking trip. He bought it in her memory.”
“That’s actually really romantic.” Serena had a dreamy look on her face. “And sad.”
Annie nodded. “Sam decided to move with him, which actually made me and Jeannie feel better, since we were worried about him. She and Cameron have been living with him in the main house for the last four years, and they’ve been really thriving here.”
“They must have been happy when you and your family decided to move here.”
“I think so. It is nice to be around family again.” Annie paused, thinking again how Serena was making her appreciate her family. It had taken an outside perspective to get her to see that she was lucky to have them.
“Tell me about your mom.” Serena picked up a couch cushion and hugged it to her chest.
Annie’s lips curved, thinking about her mother. “She was great. Loving and kind, but she was serious about instilling responsibility and great work ethics in all three of us. She believed in keeping your word. That if you promise to do something, you follow through. Otherwise, don’t promise.”
Serena’s brows rose. “My mother said the same thing too. She always said, if you commit to something, you have to stick it out.” Her mouth turned down, as if the thought were an unpleasant one.
Annie shook her head. “Mothers.”
“Right.” Serena blinked a few times in rapid succession.
Annie peered at her, wondering if she was okay before continuing. “She was so much more outgoing than my father. She would have had a party for the whole neighborhood within a week of moving in.” She looked off into the distance.
“She sounds great.” There was a look of longing on Serena’s face.
“She was. She loved to talk to people. Always wanted to know their story, what they’re doing in life, their aspirations. She cared about people and loved gathering them together. Organizing parties, planning the food.” Annie paused, thinking about the parties Finn had missed. Her mom had loved planning birthday parties for Jeannie’s children, as well as Cam.
“What was her name?” Serena asked.
“Well, I think I told you she was half-Chinese and half-Hawaiian. She had a Chinese name but went by her American name, Chrissy.”
“And what’s your father’s name?”
Annie grinned. “His American name is Jack.”
There was a pause as Serena thought. “Wait. Jack and Chrissy? Like on Three’s Company?”
Annie broke out in a big smile. “Yup. Exactly like that. It was their favorite show.”
“And you have one sister named Samantha and another named Jeannie?” Serena raised her eyebrows, understanding dawning in her eyes. “Like I Dream of Jeannie and Samantha from Bewitched?”
Annie couldn’t help the snort of laughter that escaped. “Exactly like that. I thought you’d be too young to get the reference. But yes, our whole family is named for American sitcoms. Except me—I’m named for the redheaded orphan. And my parents gave themselves American names when they got married. I guess they got tired of telling people how to pronounce their Chinese names.”
Serena laughed right along with her. “So is your real name Anne?”
“Nope. Just Annie. My mom was obsessed with the movie. The one with Carol Burnett and Albert Finney. I think I learned how to sing ‘Tomorrow’ before I learned English.”
Serena choked on her laughter, and Annie thumped her on the back, even as she herself gasped for air. Once Serena had caught her breath, she looked over at Annie, and it set them off again. Annie actually rolled off the couch, landing on Marley, who looked at her with displeasure. Which just set her off on another gale of laughter until, finally, she quieted. Looking up, she saw Serena catching her breath before reaching out a hand to haul Annie back on the couch.
“I haven’t laughed like that in so long,” Annie said, wiping the tears out of the corners of her eyes.
“Me too,” Serena said. “I totally needed that.”
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Annie said, when she could finally talk again without choking. “Let’s take a selfie to remember this day.” She gestured to Serena, who came to her side, and Annie snapped a picture.
Serena looked over her shoulder as Annie zoomed in on the photo. They both looked so happy in it.
“Have you been to Kauai before? Is that why you came here this time?” Annie asked, putting her phone down next to her.
“No. I’ve never been. But I wanted to be somewhere warm, to get away from the snow and freezing-cold weather. I didn’t want to be in New York; plus, I lost my job, so there was no reason to stay. I figured I could start over somewhere new.”
“So it was random?” Annie tucked her legs up under her, getting more comfortable. “You just pointed to a place on the map?”
Serena gave a small laugh. “Something like that.” A light flickered in her eyes, making them glow like an animal’s in the dark. “It was more . . . a feeling that I should be here. It’s warm, and everyone always says how beautiful it is.”
“I’m glad you picked it. Otherwise we wouldn’t have met.” Marley made a small snoring sound and Annie looked down, surprised he’d fallen asleep despite all the commotion.
“I’m glad I’m here too.” Serena reached down and petted Marley. He opened an eye and looked at her but then closed it again. She straightened up. “I do miss New York City, though. All that hustle and bustle, the energy. It’s gorgeous here, but sometimes at night, I get a little creeped out, all by myself.”