Chapter Nine

By the time that Cole Mikhail Lee, my son, entered Junior High School at the age of thirteen, he told me that he'll go to St. John Cass School in London, and spent even his Senior High School there.

"You really want to go?" I ask him as I help him pack his things. "London is miles and miles away here in Sacramento. We couldn't get to see each other for a long time."

"Mom, it's the same thing even if I go to Oklahoma, or Nevada, or Atlanta. We will going to be parted by miles away."

"It's oceans away!" I protested. "Are you sure you're not going to L.A.?" I inquire again to him.

By that, he raises an eyebrow, then shakes his head. He's a lot taller now, probably than his Dad and he looks like him. "I want there, and I always wanted to continue what you haven't finish," he said sincerely in a low voice.

With that, I hugs him. "Don't forget to call me okay? Every single day," I said with conviction and with finality.

"It's an overseas call mom. Let's have mail and fax each other."

"I don't want this. You know that," I said again sadly. "You're my little kid."

"Keith will be there," he shrugs unmindfully. Keith is Victoria's only son, two years ahead of Cole. "Don't worry mom. Trust me. I'll be fine. Aunt Victoria will guide the two of us."

"How have you grown so fast baby," I said with a sigh as I caress his cheeks.

"You can marry again," he said.

"It's not about me baby. It's not like I am going to abandon you. You are my world."

"I want you to be happy mom."

After Cole left for London, I decided to travel and experience the world while writing stories of people. At thirty-nine, I made it to Hawaii. It takes a lot of time and effort to have a life like I have. Travel became my life since Cole is gone away with a life of his own. From time to time, though, I sent him post cards in every single places I go and he sent his replies through mail.

By the time I landed in Hawaii, people greeted every tourist, "Aloha!", then they will put flowers over our necks.

"1959, August 21st is Hawaii's date of statehood," said a girl about early twenties. She is our tour guide. "Exactly eight years ago. It is the 50th state of United States of America. By the way, my name is Helena O'Connor, and that girl over there is my twin sister Camilla. I will be your tour guide for today."

I smile by hearing the word twins. It reminds me of Heroine. His girls would probably about these ladies' age. By that, I get my note pad and jot down some of Hawaii's history.

"Hawaii was first settled by Polynesians in the 6th century A.D. The first European visitor was Captain James Cook, a British explorer, in 1778. Hawaii remained a native kingdom until 1893, when Queen Liloukalani was deposed and a republic was declared in 1894. The United States annexed the island in 1898, and they became a territory in 1900," she explained , then Helena showed us several slides. "Our nickname is Aloha Sate. Capital Honolulu. State Bird, Nene or Hawaiian Goose. State tree, Candlenut. State Flower, Hibiscus. State Song, Hawaii Ponoi. No state animal, and the state motto, 'the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness."

Camilla then bring us to Hawaii's sceneries such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Haleakala National Park, Polynesian Cultural Center, U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, and Iolani Palace. Since Hawaii is just a small island, it just takes a whole day to roam around the whole place.

"You, an Asian?"

I turn to face her. She looks more of a French girl unlike a native of Hawaii, I just nod. "Half Chinese and Half French."

"Really? You look more of Chinese. I am Helena, by the way."

"Yeah, right," I nod. "You're our tour guide a while ago. The name is Mariani Lei," I said as I held out my hand to her.

"Oh, God!" she said in awe with her hands over her mouth. "You're the actress on 'The Orange Girl' "

"I'm sorry?"

"You used to be in Broadway. I am a big fan. I mean, my Dad is a fan. Was," she corrected eventually.

"You're Dad, a fan of Broadway? How unusual," I said, not really sure on what to say. she offers me a drink but I refuse.

"Not really. He is a good man. My Dad. He is a Pastor."

"That was nice," I commented.

She nods. "Yeah. He is a war veteran." she whispers.

"Really?" I laughs at myself because all I am thinking is him.

"Yeah. Too bad he is on the other side. Axis."

"Oh, what's his name?" I cannot help it but to ask.

As if on cue, a man, age of about early fifties called her, then he stops by the sight of me.

"Dad!" Helena exclaimed as she kisses him on the cheeks. "Looks who's here. Mariani Lei."

"Heroine," I said to myself.

"Suza," he said as he offers me a hug.