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been the plan, of course. At the last moment, Leilani’s best friend Shana had backed out of coming along. Not her fault exactly, but procrastination about applying for a passport had the same result.
    So Leilani had found herself alone on her very first airline flight, first time leaving home, in fact first adventure that would take her from the safety of the ordinary. ‘Needs-must,’ as her mom used to say. Ignoring the nail-biting, knuckle-clenching panic, Leilani had let Shana accompany her to the terminal. When her remorseful, non-traveling friend reiterated the frantic list of do’s and don’ts, she’d bravely nodded and stepped into the future.
    In the back of the coral-colored cab, Leilani snapped from her reverie. “This is my first time away from home. I thought I’d be terrified, but it isn’t nearly as hard as I expected.”
    “Good! Don’t you worry, little one. I’ll be around to look after you while you’re in Waikiki. So where is home?” His voice soothed.
    Leilani released the stiffness in her shoulders and answered. “I live, um, lived with my mother in a city on Vancouver Island called Victoria. She passed away last week. I… I’m bringing her ashes to be buried in Hawaii. She was born here, left the day she married my father and her wish to return never changed.”
    “But she never returned?”
    “How did you know?”
    “Something in your voice. There’s a sadness when you talk about bringing her home.”
    “You’re right. She never did return. Soon after she arrived in Canada, she became pregnant with me. Then when she and my dad finally managed to save enough money for a trip home, she was involved in a hit and run accident with a drunk driver.”
    “How very sad.”
    Not understanding the gushing need to talk about a time she’d previously preferred to forget, Leilani added. “My mother was the drunk driver. Her penalty for her stupidity that day turned into a harsh life-changer. The accident left her paralyzed from the waist down and she lived the rest of her life in a wheelchair.”
    “Poor angel.” The sorrow in the driver’s voice touched her deeply. “Her heart was broken no doubt.”
    “Her heart and her spirit. I was all she had left, after my father decided to leave us. I loved her dearly.”
    “Lucky her. Did she appreciate her fortune in having you as her daughter?”
    “I don’t know.” The sigh escaped before she knew it formed.
    What Leilani did know was that her globby-filled eyes were clearly visible to the driver who spent a lot of time watching her in his mirror. His soft smile drove its way directly to the grief in her soul.
    Healing warmth spread throughout her, and Leilani greedily clutched at the feeling. Wiggling her stiff shoulders, she eased tense muscles. Then leaned back against the seat, and peered out the open window at the vehicle-filled, well-lit bridge.
    The balmy warm air and ocean scent she’d noticed upon her arrival floated through the window and intermingled with the aroma of the overwhelming sweetness around her neck.
    The leis were gorgeous, and a surprise she’d never expected to experience on her tight budget; therefore, they were greatly appreciated. Gathering them gently in her hands, she lifted them upwards. Stroking their velvety petals, she sniffed and enjoyed. Giddy, bubbles of happiness broke through Leilani’s lingering sadness and something deep inside opened wings of joy. Her spirit truly lifted for the first time in days.
    “There’s so much to see and do on the island. I know it’ll be difficult deciding where to spend your time. Do you have anything particular in mind?”
    “I’m not sure whether I’ll be free to get in much sightseeing. You see, a letter arrived the day Mother died. It came from her sister who I never knew existed. My aunt’s message to my mother sounded desperate. It said that she’s gravely ill and needed her help.”
    “This sister lives here on Oahu?”
    “Yes. I often saw the