Between Hello and Goodbye(70)

“Shit, I’m so sorry, Momi,” I said, moving to pull a chair by her bed.

“What are you sorry about? That I’m a frail old lady? That I tried to get in my chair without help when I knew better?”

“I should’ve hired better help a long time ago.”

She snorted. “Oh, sweet boy, when are you going to realize that you can’t keep everyone safe or free from pain? Least of all yourself.”

“I’m not thinking about me right now.”

“And that is the root of your problem. You rarely think about you.” She patted my hand. “The time has come to take care of your own heart.”

“Okay, but you’re—”

“Knock, knock,” said a voice at the door, and Morgan stepped in with a bouquet of yellow roses. “Did Asher bring flowers? No? I win. I’m the best grandson-in-law.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Nalani is on her way.” Morgan kissed Momi’s cheek. “The doc tells me it’s a hairline fracture. Could be worse but you’ll have to make some lifestyle changes. No more Jazzercise for at least a month.” He took her hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine, fine.” Momi shot me a pointed look. “I’m not the one who needs fussing over.”

Morgan’s gaze went between us. “What are we talking about?”

“Nothing,” I said.

Momi scoffed. “Asher and I were about to discuss a few necessary lifestyle changes that need to be made for his health.”

Morgan’s confusion vanished and he pulled another chair up. “Ah, yes, say no more. Not to gang up on you, bro, but I agree with Momi.”

“Agree about what?”

“Lifestyle changes. One big ole change, specifically.” He smiled with a twinge of sadness. “Time for you to do for you.”

I scowled. “Okay, we’re not here to talk about my problems. Momi—”

“I’m going to be fine,” she said. “And if not, there’s nothing you can do about it. I’m an old lady. I’ve lived a full life, and though I’m not quite ready to say goodbye, when I do, I’ll look back on all my years, at the love I have, and be grateful. Because that is the measure of a life, my dear. The love you have. It’s worth everything.”

Morgan’s eyes met mine, solemn and grave. “It’s time, brother.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Faith,” he said. “You love her, right?”

I started to protest but it was useless. And I didn’t want to, anyway. “Yeah. I do.”

“So the real question is not who lives where, but do you trust her with your heart? And can she trust you with hers? If the answer is yes…” Morgan shrugged. “The rest is just logistics.”

“Pretty fucking serious logistics,” I said. “Sorry, Momi.”

She sniffed. “Now shush, listen to Morgan.”

He turned to me, arms crossed. “What did you say when I told you I was moving to Kauai eight years ago?”

“I said you’re crazy.”

“After that.”

“I don’t know…”

Morgan’s smile softened. “You said, Whatever makes you happy, bro. And I am. I’m ridiculously happy. I have everything I could ever want. And it’s all thanks to you.”

“It’s not—”

“You made it possible.” His eyes shone and his voice grew thick. “You made a promise to take care of me and you did. Now it’s your turn. To take care of yourself for a damn change. To be happy with her.” His face broke into a grin. “We’re going to be okay. We’ll miss you like hell, but we’ll be okay.”

Sudden tears flooded my eyes. “The fuck. Are you kicking me out?”

“Yes,” Momi and Morgan said together. My brother chuckled. “We are voting you off the island.”

I laughed and wiped my eyes. “Asshole.” I fought for another argument, but I had none. “I thought it’d be impossible to leave. But…all I want to do is give Faith everything. And that includes the life that she wants. Her perfect life.”

“Her perfect life has you in it.”

I nodded slowly as I realized that that only life I wanted had Faith in it. And maybe it didn’t matter where I was—so long as I was with her, I’d be home.

I glanced between Morgan and Momi, my voice thickening. “This is going to suck.”

“As if you’re going to get rid of us,” Morgan said. “You’re a plane ride away.”

“I’ll be unemployed.”

Morgan scoffed. “They’ll have fires in Seattle, just for you.”

I snorted and wiped my nose.

“Doesn’t she have some kind of big award ceremony coming up?” Momi asked, brows raised.

“This weekend,” I said. “It’s a big deal and she’s going to win, I know it.”

“Then you’d better be there with her when she does,” Morgan said.

We sat with Momi for a few hours more until she became tired and kicked us out.

I stood up and then bent to kiss her on the cheek. “Mahalo nui loa. For everything.” Then I fixed her with a stern look. “You know, you didn’t have to break a hip to stage an intervention. A phone call would’ve worked.”