“I’ll call her back after the show is over,” I tell Aya.
The fire twirlers are up next, followed by another volunteer activity for the kids. Aya didn’t want to go up for some reason, but with her recent mood swings, I decided not to push her like I normally would.
As the show comes to a close, lawn lights slowly brighten from around the seating area, and a path back to the hotel lights up for the guests to follow. We remain in our seats, waiting for Kai, but while we’re sitting here, I pick my phone back up and call Brielle.
“Hi, Brophy,” Brielle answers.
“What’s up? Is everything okay?” Aya’s staring at me, waiting for an answer that she won’t be able to hear.
“Um … define what you mean by ‘okay?’” she continues, dragging out whatever it is she has to say. I want to think if it was bad news, she would be crying and have spit it out by now, so that eases my concern just a bit.
“Bri, do not make me guess. Just tell me.”
“Well, you know how you changed your phone number last year?”
“Yes, I know how I changed my phone number last year,” I tell her.
“Well, I didn’t,” she says.
“I’m aware of that too.”
“Okay, so evidently, Isla still has my phone number.”
Hearing Isla’s name sends a shooting pain into my stomach. “What are you talking about?” My voice sounds like someone just kicked me in the gut.
“She called me, Den.”
“What the fuck does she want from you?” I ask, with anger seething through me.
“She went searching for you at Kaneohe Bay, I guess, and no one would give her any information other than that you had separated from the Marines.”
“They won’t tell her anything,” I say, trying to make myself feel better, but I know Isla, and nothing will stop her from finding out what she’s looking for.
“They didn’t. That’s why Isla called me. She wants to know where you and Aya are.”
“Why?” I snap.
“Dad, what’s the matter? Why did you say a bad word?” Aya asks.
I wave her off and stand up from my chair, placing my finger against my other ear so I can hear Brielle better.
“Kai!” Aya yells, running off toward her. I take the opportunity to turn around and walk in the opposite direction, not wanting Aya or Kai to hear this.
“She said she wants to talk to you about custody. She’s prepared to take care of Aya now or something.”
“No way in hell,” I tell her.
“I know, Den. I know. I’m not sure about the laws in Hawaii, but while she’s in the process of looking for you, I’d find a good attorney.”
“She left us two years ago because she didn’t want to be a mother anymore,” I remind Brielle. I know this isn’t her fault but I’m so angry I don’t know what else to do other than yell at the one person who will listen to me.
“I don’t think she stands a chance of gaining custody, but you should be prepared.”
“Did you tell her anything at all?”
“No, I told her I wasn’t getting involved,” Brielle says.
“Does she think I’m still in Hawaii?”
