Someone Else’s Life(37)

“No, it’s not. New things are more ’pensive, so older things get a discount.” Finn sounded proud of himself.

“Can’t argue with his logic,” Serena whispered.

Annie hooted. It felt so good to let go, and she’d done more of that today than she had in the last few years. When she could speak again, she asked Finn, “So what does Ah-Gong think about this?”

“Dunno. Cam needs me. Bye!” And with that, Finn was gone, leaving Annie with a dead phone.

“Did he hang up on you?” Serena asked.

“Apparently.” Annie looked at her phone, which had definitely been disconnected.

“What a clever boy.” Serena sounded proud, as if she knew Finn. “You’re a really good mother, you know that?”

Annie swallowed in surprise. “Really? You think so?” She’d doubted herself all Finn’s life, so to hear someone say the opposite had a glimmer of hope lighting up inside her.

“Yes.” Serena nodded. “Look how good you were with him on the phone. He obviously loves you and has a good rapport with you. You’ve taken such good care of . . . of your, um, son.” Serena stumbled over the end of her sentence, and Annie wondered again if she was getting drunk. But they’d only just opened the second bottle between them, and the drinks had been spread out over several hours. She herself didn’t feel drunk, just pleasantly happy, as if nothing could bother her today.

“Thanks for saying that, because most of the time, I don’t feel like a good mother. I don’t know what I’m doing, and I’m usually so awkward and not motherly toward Finn.” Annie stood and paced the Ohana, reliving her conversation just now with Finn. It was the most natural they’d been around each other in a while, and that spark of optimism bloomed even more in her chest. Maybe she could do this.

“I don’t believe you.” Serena’s firm voice had Annie turning to her.

“Don’t believe me how?”

“That you don’t know what you’re doing with him.”

“Oh, thanks.” Annie nodded. “Well, here’s an example: I didn’t even plan his birthday party a couple of weeks ago, or pick out his gifts.”

“How come? I think that’s something I’d love to do if I had a child.” Serena got that faraway look in her eyes again.

“We don’t know anyone here, so Sam said she’d be in charge. And I don’t really know what Finn likes . . .” Annie scrunched up her nose, thinking back to the birthday party they’d had at the big covered main pavilion at Lydgate Beach Park, next to Kamalani Playground.

Sam had thought that was a good place to have Finn’s party, since the mazelike wooden play structure was one of Finn’s favorites. It was huge, and decorated with keiki art, whimsical and colorful carvings of sea animals and other artwork for kids. Finn had had a blast with Cam, Leila and her two sisters and one brother, along with a few other children that Sam had invited. It had made Annie happy to see Finn climb all over the wooden play structure and run screaming on the gigantic grassy area with the other kids, playing their own version of tag.

“What?” Serena frowned, bringing Annie’s attention back to her. “What do you mean you don’t know what Finn likes?”

Annie flushed and her face went hot. “I just . . . I don’t know. Brody is the one who always knows what Finn is into. He picked out Finn’s birthday presents.” She was suddenly embarrassed. She thought back to the party, when she’d watched Finn open the present from her and Brody.

Finn had been sitting under a picnic table with the largest present, his cheeks red. He bounced up and down, wound up from the excitement of his party. Brody had told him to wait until things calmed down before opening his presents, but while no one was watching, he’d ripped it open. She’d smiled to herself, not blaming him for being unable to wait. He’d opened the box and pulled out a remote-controlled transformer car.

A while later, Sam had started collecting empty plates and glasses after everyone had left and it was just family. “Did you have a good day, Finnie-boy?” She had leaned down to rub him on the top of his head.

“Yes, the best.” Finn shook the box in his hands, a smaller one than the one he’d opened in secret.

“If you want to open the present from Mommy and me, go ahead,” Brody said, taking a long sip from the bottle of Kona Longboard beer in his hand.

“I want to open this one.” Finn shook the box again.

“I thought you wanted to open the big box?” Brody looked around. “Where is it?” He spotted the box under the picnic table and got up to get it. “Did you open this already?”

Finn turned innocent eyes to Brody, his face clear. “No, Daddy. I think Leila did.”

Annie’s mouth had dropped open at how easily Finn had lied to Brody. She was about to say something, but then Brody asked, “This was just what you wanted, right?”

Finn nodded, and a flash of remorse went through Annie. What kind of mother didn’t know what her four-year-old wanted for his birthday? Good thing Brody had known.

“Don’t feel bad, Annie.” Serena’s voice brought her back to the Ohana. “I wouldn’t have guessed that he’d want a transformer car either. Maybe it’s just that Brody is more in tune with what little boys like, because he was once one himself?”