Ava wandered the path under the landmark banyan tree in Lahaina, heading in the direction of her brother’s boat slip on the boardwalk. She was plenty early, as was her tendency, which allowed her to take her time and enjoy the familiar sights.
A mother was kneeling with her camera poised, trying to get the perfect shot of her husband and four small children. One of the kids, a little boy, broke from where they were posed when a rooster darted in front of them. He chased the bird, running as fast as his little legs would take him. “Mark,” the mother called. “You get back here, right now!”
Ava smiled to herself. She remembered those days when much of her time and energy went to corralling her own four. Christel and Aiden could be counted on to obey her instructions while Katie and Shane’s attention was easily diverted. Life was too short for them to follow her rules…a fact that caused a rise in Lincoln’s blood pressure.
She sighed, realizing it had been weeks since thoughts of her late husband passed through her mind. Lincoln had been dead less than a year yet it often felt like a lifetime ago when she’d stood next to his casket in Wailea Chapel. The tiny piece of paper she discovered in his suit pocket that day was the beginning of a heartbreak she never saw coming.
Ava lifted her chin. She had survived—both his passing and his betrayal. Not an easy feat, but a testament to the power of intention. Her brother, Jack, had urged her to take control of her life and her emotions. Not to discount the pain, but she was a victim only if she elected to be one. She had slipped off the hurt and instead donned joy.
It was a choice. One she was glad she’d made.
In the aftermath, she’d had to learn to fill her time with things that made her happy. She tried new adventures, like the time spent at the Banana Patch spa. She discovered yoga was not her thing, yet the peace in the surrounding garden had filled her soul.
She could understand why Shane and Aimee might choose to be married in such a place. She even found herself admiring how they’d shed themselves of others’ expectations and planned a simple ceremony, one designed to reflect their own special relationship. Shane had arranged to stand at the front with Carson in his arms as Aimee made her way down the aisle. The way her son viewed things, the day was not only a marriage, but a melding of a family.
Ava didn’t often wish she could still speak to Lincoln, but if the occasion somehow arose, she’d relish telling him she was right about Shane. He wasn’t a foolish and lazy kid who was reluctant to grow up. Yes, he lived life to its fullest, but their son had stepped up and embraced responsibility without a snag. She always sensed that inside of him.
Jack was sitting on an overturned bucket on the deck next to his boat. “There you are,” he said, as Ava approached. He stood and kissed her cheek. “You’re looking good, Sister.”
She patted his ample belly. “You too, Brother.”
Jack buttoned up his shirt until only some black chest hair peeked out. “Well, where are we going? This is your show. Are we going to try some new restaurant? Don’t make it too fancy,” he warned. “I haven’t showered in a few days.”
She poked him with her elbow, knowing he was teasing. “We’re going to the swap meet in Kahului.”
“Swap meet, eh? Sounds good to me.”
Ava gave her brother a warm smile. “You just want some warm malasadas.”
“What’s wrong with that?” he asked as he followed her.
The Maui Swap Meet in Kahului had been an institution loved by both residents and tourists since the early nineteen eighties. Held every Saturday morning, people flocked to the flea-market-type venue to discover local crafts and foods at bargain prices.
Once parked, Ava and Jack made their way to the admission booth. Jack pulled out his wallet from his pocket and handed a dollar bill to the lady behind the small window. “Keep the change,” he said, laughing and knowing admission was a mere fifty cents each. For good measure, he pulled a twenty and handed it over. “And here’s a little something for being so nice.”
Jack was like that. Her brother was a brute of a man who looked very much like Santa Claus in a beach shirt and surfer shorts and was soft as sugar cookie dough in the middle.
He shoved his wallet back in place. “Well, where to first?”
Ava scanned the rows of vendor booths in the distance. “Let’s start over there.” She pointed to the first row to the left.
Together, Ava and Jack progressed along the wide paved walkway lined with brightly colored banners flapping in the breeze coming in off the ocean. Overhead, an airplane cut through the blue sky, leaving a white jet stream in its wake.
Jack rubbed at his belly. “Smells durn good.”
Ava arched her eyebrows. “So, you’re telling me you want to hit the malasada booth first?”
“I’m buying,” he told her.
Everyone knew Portuguese malasadas were best served scorching hot. The yeast dough was close to a donut’s in texture, springy inside and crisp on the outside. They were stuffed with a variety of pudding-like fillings, deep-fried, and then rolled in sugar.
The tented booth was only a few feet away. A hand-printed paper banner was fastened to the top corners of a bright blue awning. A woman with dark skin and gray hair wiped her hands on her apron. “How many?” she asked, grabbing a box made of Styrofoam. With her other hand, she grabbed a pair of silver tongs and held them in mid-air, waiting.
“Make mine a mango cheesecake rolled in powdered sugar,” he told her with a wide smile.
Ava followed with her order. “Haupia coconut with cinnamon.” She paused and looked at the menu board. “And a coffee.”
The woman lifted an elbow and rubbed away a stray piece of gray hair with her forearm. “Gotcha. Coming right up.”
She handed over the box and cup of coffee. Jack paid. Before they exited the booth, Jack leaned over the counter. “These little balls of love don’t have anything on how sweet you’ve been this morning.” He winked in her direction.
His attention caused her mouth to break into a wide grin, showing off a missing tooth.
Ava smiled over at her brother. Jack never ceased being the charmer.
As they moseyed along the row of booths, she bit into her malasada and moaned with pleasure.
“Worth the trip right there,” Jack claimed as he did the same. Two bites later, he was finished. Ava offered him her second one.
“Nah, I can’t. That’s yours,” he told her with hands raised in protest.
“Of course, you can,” she argued, pushing the box into his chest. “It’s our routine.”
“You’re right.” He grinned and popped the entire malasada in his mouth.
They spent the next hours inspecting tropical print bags and dresses, handmade soap and artisan jewelry. There were booths that sold freshly cut herbs and local fruits, including dragon fruits, avocados, mangos, and pineapples.
Ava purchased a large bundle of bok choy. She loved the mild, cabbage-like flavor of the vegetable sauteed with lemon, garlic, and soy sauce.
“How’s that little granddaughter of yours?” Jack asked. “I was sure sorry to hear of that ordeal. Kids can be so mean.”
Ava told him how she’d been horrified that some mean girl at school had distributed those photos in retribution of Willa standing up against their bullying of her new friend, Kina. Despite how hard the incident had been on them all, it had ended well. “Yes, there are bullies,” she conceded. “But there are also really good-hearted kids.” She told her brother how Willa’s classmates had gathered outside her house holding lit candles. The showing of solidarity was just what was needed to lift Willa from her slump and allowed her to return to her old self. Katie had even heard her in her bedroom talking on the phone and giggling, just like before.
She told him about the upcoming wedding plans and made sure he’d circled the date on the calendar. “The big day is in less than two weeks,” she warned. “We want you there to help us celebrate.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he assured her.
“Sounds like everything is going well, Sis,” he said, stopping to pick up a scrimshaw pocket knife. It had a handle crafted of carved bone with hand-etched nautical themes, including clipper ships and whales.
“You want that?” Ava asked. Not bothering to wait for his reply, she pulled a few bills from her purse and handed them to the booth’s proprietor.
“Ava, you didn’t have to do that,” he protested.
She drew her brother into a shoulder hug. “Yes, I did.” She winked. “It’s our routine.”