was posing, so that the moment was frozen in time. And then she saw the big dog heading down the steps. Sula! She’d forgotten about Sula.
Kala looked down at the shopping bag at Patty’s feet. Jon’s ashes.
The sun dimmed as a puffy white cloud sailed underneath. All of them sucked in their breath as Sophie picked up her feet and ran toward them, Sula sprinting ahead.
Sophie stopped short at the gate, Sula at her side. She looked at everyone and started to cry before she walked through to her loved ones.
Nick wanted to hold out his arms and wished with all his might that Sophie would rush into them. She did, but not right away.
Patty, tears rolling down her face, could only say, “God, I missed you, Sophie.”
Jay and Linda smiled as they, too, wondered about the white flowers tucked into Sophie’s hair.
Sophie stepped to the side of the little group and homed in on Kala. Her smile rivaled the sun that was shining again. Kala watched as Sophie advanced and withdrew the scarlet lei and draped it around her neck. “I made it myself on the way here. I picked the flowers fresh and kept them cooled in the refrigerator on the plane. I made it just before we landed.” She hugged Kala so tight, Kala thought her ribs were cracked.
“Welcome home, Sophie,” Kala whispered.
Sophie went down the line, kissing, hugging, and crying until she came to Nick. She stepped into his outstretched arms and kissed him on the cheek. “There are no words to tell you how much I missed you, Nick,” she murmured against his cheek.
The three young people moved forward, leaving Jay, Linda, Kala, and Ben. A string of marshmallow clouds slid past the sun, allowing Kala to see the strange expression on Jay’s face.
“Time to celebrate, people! Our girl is home, and this whole sorry mess is finally over. Why are you all looking like that?” Ben asked.
“Like what?” Kala asked testily.
“Like you suddenly lost your best friend. You all just got your best friend back. We should be happy, and there should be a spring in your steps. You’re lagging,” Ben responded.
“Yeah, why is that?” Linda asked.
“I think it’s your imagination, Ben,” Kala said. “Sophie looks beautiful, doesn’t she, Linda?”
“She sure does. On my best day, I could never look that good,” Linda said, but there was no envy in her voice.
“Honey, you are every bit as beautiful as Sophie every day of your life.”
“That was certainly the right answer. Even if it isn’t true.” Linda giggled.
“That girl has come into her own. She’s set for life. She doesn’t have a worry in the world right now. What’s that old ditty, Kala?” Not waiting for a response, Ben came up with the answer. “Ah, yes, the world is her oyster. Meaning, of course, there is a priceless pearl in said oyster. Did I get that right, Kala?”
Kala smiled. “Close enough, dear. Look at them! Have you ever seen a happier trio in your life? Such a remarkable friendship. Such deep loyalty. And they’re orphans,” Kala said. She didn’t expect a comment, and there was none forthcoming.
The driving arrangements completed, everyone got in their cars to head to the Aulani offices for the celebration of Sophie’s return.
An hour later, the first champagne cork flew across the room. They all toasted Sophie’s return. They drained their glasses as Linda popped the second bottle. “This one is to sip before we call it a day,” she said happily.
Conversation was light and merry, the mood exuberant. Smiling faces abounded.
Ben Jefferson made the first move by nudging Kala. It was time to leave. Another round of hugs followed.
Kala and Ben were the first out the door, followed minutes later by Sophie, Patty, and Nick. Linda and Jay stayed behind to tidy up and close the office.
“Okay, Jay, spit it out. What’s bothering you?” Linda said as she swept the plastic champagne glasses into the trash basket. The empty champagne bottles followed. “And don’t tell me nothing is bothering you. I know you too well.”
“I just had a… kind of eerie feeling out there at the airport. I think Kala did, too. I think… I know this is going to sound silly, and maybe it’s a girl thing, but I think it had something to do with the flowers.”
Linda laughed until the tears rolled down her cheeks. “The flowers! The lei? Or the white flowers in Sophie’s hair? You’re right, that is silly. Sophie learned how to make the lei. She made it fresh just for Kala. And the white flowers in her hair the way Kala wears hers… that was just to show Kala she appreciated all that she’s done for her.”
Jay listened to his wife because he always listened to her. She had more street smarts and common sense than anyone he knew, and that included himself. “Okay, then maybe it was the color. Red is when Kala goes to war. White is for winning and victory. So why was the lei red? I think Kala was wondering the same thing. So there, Miss Smarty Pants. Explain it to me.”
Linda laughed again. “Is it even remotely possible that when it was time to pick the flowers, the red ones were the prettiest? Maybe you didn’t notice it because you’re a guy, but there were tiny white flowers in among the red ones. Did you miss that, my genius husband?”
“Yeah, I guess I did. This is one of those whatever kind of things, I’m thinking. Do you want to go out to eat or cook at home?” Jay asked, a clear indication that any further discussion about red or white flowers was over and done with.
“Home. I have this crazy urge to cook for you, darling. I want to wait on you hand and foot.”
“I do not want Lipton noodle soup and grilled cheese. I want real
Linda sighed. Happily. “Okay, it’s Mulligans. It’s early enough that we won’t need a reservation. Carry on, fearless leader, and I’ll be right behind you.” Linda felt pleased with herself. Jay fell for it every time. She didn’t have to cook, and that was her intention all along. “But, if you keep that puss on, I’m going home. Show me some teeth now in a big smile.”
Jay grimaced, but Linda settled for what she called a half-assed smile.
Nine miles away Sophie, Patty, and Nick sat at Patty’s kitchen table with large glasses of sweet tea in front of them. Sula slept under the window.
“This is really a cute little house, Patty. It’s you. When are you guys going to tell me what’s in the shopping bag you’ve been carrying around?”
Seeing the uncomfortable look on Patty’s face, Nick jumped into the conversation. “So tell us what your plans are, Sophie.”
“Like I said in the car on the way here, I’m staying five days. I want to go to St. Gabriel’s to make a donation to Sister Julie and, of course, see all the nuns. That’s a whole day right there. I want to hang with you guys as much as I can, but I have meetings with the lawyers at Star. I have to make decisions. At least that’s what Kala told me. There is the news conference tomorrow. On the flight here, I was thinking I might like to go to the Star mansion and walk through it. I know how morbid that sounds, but for some strange reason I think I need to do that. Do you guys want to go with me?”
“Sure,” Nick said. He would have said yes to anything Sophie suggested. “We were just there a week ago. In all the excitement at the airport and the office, I guess we forgot to tell you. We found Audrey Star’s old journals. And the jewelry she kept at the mansion. You should see it, Sophie. Tons of diamonds and all kinds of fancy gold jewelry.”
“There wasn’t tons but there was a lot. Probably as much as the Queen of England has. What are you going to do with it all?” Patty asked curiously.
Sophie fingered the locket at her neck, then the bracelet on her wrist. “I don’t have a clue. I have to speak to some investment people. I’m sure they’ll have ideas. Was there anything there you two would like? If there is, help yourself.”
“Are you serious?” Patty asked, her jaw dropping.
“I think I’ll pass,” Nick said.
Sophie looked at Patty. “Of course I’m serious. Take it all if you want.”
