Someone Else’s Life(17)

Her friends had been concerned and wanted to know how things were going in Kauai.

Annie had said, “You’d think drinking mai tais in paradise would make me feel better.”

“Have you found a therapist yet?” Izzy had asked.

Annie had blown out a breath. “I’m fine. I don’t need to see anyone.”

“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.