Just call me if you need anything.
Her expression softened.You too.
So she went with Kalei while I went out back, using a bucket to dump cold freshwater on myself from Kalei’s catchment tank. Rain gutters from the rooftop went into this large catchment tank made of lava rock and cement.
The sound of coqui frogs broke the silence, and I glared into the dark forest behind her home.
Wretched frogs.I wished it was the sound of birds I heard, not the invasive species.
When I finished, I stepped into the house, towel wrapped around my waist.
“Here you are,” Ho‘ohuli said, handing me the clothes and I changed in the kitchen. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the jalousie window and insecurity passed through me.
How much time had passed since I’d been a frog? Was father going to be disappointed with me?
It doesn’t matter,I told myself. The main thing right now was that Aulani had to get back to the sea, so she could find her kingdom again and get home.
So she can marry Prince Ryker.Ryker? I didn’t even like the sound of his name. I helped myself to the food Kalei brought out,most likely for us. The soft bread with lilikoi jam never tasted so good, and the kalua pig and rice was the most satisfying thing I’d ever eaten in my life.
I massaged the back of my neck as I closed my eyes, savoring the taste of real food.
Not bugs.
And then relief panged my heart. I was fine. I no longer had to keep checking my surroundings. There was no longer a need to constantly be on the lookout for frog catchers, or other bigger frogs.
No more survival.
I was safe here in Kalei’s home.
It was disorienting, and I jumped when I heard her voice.
“Missed real food?” Kalei stepped into the kitchen and began placing everything onto trays to take to the dining space.
“Yes… a lot. This is delicious, Kalei. Thanks for having us… on such late notice and at this hour–”
“Keoki.” She always called me by my island name. “You know I’d do anything for you.” Kalei paused in her work and put her hands on my arms, water pooling in her eyes. “I’m justsoglad you’re alive.” Then we hugged. That was when Aulani walked in.
Excuse me…She quickly turned around, probably feeling awkward at interrupting us. I sensed a fleeting flash of jealousy rip through her coral walls but she grabbed it back and smiled.
Can I help?
“Sure.” I handed her a tray and then paused.
You look…She was all dressed now, with a white wrap around blouse, the long sleeves loose and hanging effortlessly. Wrapped around her waist was a flowing blue skirt, which only accentuated her petite frame.
Human?She grinned.
Beautiful.
Aulani’s eyes sparkled.Thank you, Ezra. And you clean up nicely too.Then she skipped off to the dining room, where Ho‘ohuli showed her how to set the table.
“Oof.” Kalei looked from the mermaid to me. “I can’t evenhearwhat you guys are saying to each other in your minds, but whatever is going on between you is making this room warm.”
“Kalei!”
She giggled and nudged me, stepping into the dining room. We were all famished, and Aulani endlessly complimented the food.This tastes so good!She overflowed with excitement as she tried everything. Her expressions were exaggerated, but it was so…her.She’d close her eyes as she tasted the lilikoi jam, then thoughtfully eat the pork, saying she was not accustomed to eating animals but it was something she could get used to as long as she was grateful.
When her excitement died down and I didn’t have to say aloud to Kalei and Ho‘ohuli what the mermaid was thinking, we settled in the living space and spoke.
