“They do have to get up early tomorrow,” she fretted.
“Better get going.”
“Okay, okay.” Oakley threw her arms around Halia and hugged her tight, then moved into the other goodbyes.
“I can fit two more in my car,” said Anne, “but someone will need to ride with Halia.”
“I’ll go.” Zoe headed off any argument by climbing into the back of Halia’s car, leaving the front seat for her Auntie Laurie.
With the seats all sorted, they drove north along Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway. Mia was quiet without her cousins around, and Laurie wasn’t in a talking mood either. Halia didn’t mind; she had no trouble sitting in silence, with or without other people. Zoe was the same.
The lights were on at Laurie’s place.
Halia was sad to see that neither mother nor daughter looked excited to get home, but she tried not to put too much weight on it. Mia might still be disheartened by her slip-up at the spelling bee, and Laurie must be tired after the commotion of the day.
“Thank you for driving us,” Laurie said, already halfway out the door. “Do you need anything? Water, bathroom?”
“I’m fine,” Halia said. “Zoe?”
She shook her head.
A few quick hugs, and then they were down to two.
Zoe moved to the front seat, and they began their two-hour drive south. It was a long trek, especially in the dark, but she wanted to make sure that Laurie knew that Halia would gladly make the drive anytime day or night if they needed her.
“Oakley’s worried about her,” Zoe said out of the blue. They had already been driving for some time, and Halia’s thoughtshad moved on to a particular family at the shelter. It took her a moment to realize who she meant.
“Your Auntie Laurie?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s a grown woman,” Halia said levelly, “and a strong one.”
“But is she happy?”
“Is anyone?”
Zoe gave her a puzzled look. “Aren’t you?”
“I’m content.”
“Okay, whatever. Is Auntie Lauriecontent?”
“Content enough, I suppose. Or she’d make a change.”
Her niece huffed out a sigh, unsatisfied with her answer.
“Are you?” Halia asked.
“Am I what?”
“Content.”
“I like my work,” she said quickly. “I get to be outside all day. I have a place of my own, even if it’s in Grandma Dawn’s backyard. But I mean, it has an ocean view. It’s peaceful, and it’s safe. Life doesn’t get much better than that, right?”
“You’re content, then?”
“What does that even mean?”
