Bamboo and Lace (7 page)

“Gabe, it's Jeff.”

“Hey, what's up?”

“I'm sorry to call so late, but I had to wait until Lily was in bed.”

“That's fine. I was still up.”

“There's something I forgot to tell you.”

“Okay.”

“Lily won't look at you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, she won't look at men. It's the way my father raised us. Women are not to raise their eyes in a man's presence.”

“And she does that even here?” His voice sounded as amazed as he felt.

“Yes, it's all she's ever known. You're going to have to tell her to look at you, or she won't.”

There was complete silence on the phone.

“Gabe?”

“Yes, I'm here. I'm just thinking. Does she really not look up at men?”

“Right.”

“Is she afraid?”

“No, just showing respect the way she was taught. She's been getting better with me, but she'll have to start all over with the three of you. Added to that is the fact that she doesn't know any of you.”

“Well, Jeff,” Gabe responded, his voice returning to normal, “whatever it is, we'll work it out. We do know each other through you, so I'm sure that given a little time, we'll all do fine.”

They talked for a few minutes before Jeff was able to hang up in peace. His friend was not just cheerleading. He honestly believed things would work out fine. Gabe was like that. And although Jeff was tempted to worry, he was working hard not to.

That phone call made, Jeff pulled out his briefcase and went to work at the kitchen table. He had much to do before he got on that plane Sunday afternoon. But if he had to work all night in order to sightsee with his sister all day, it would be worth the effort.

“You wrote to Father?” Lily asked on Saturday afternoon. They had just 24 more hours.

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“I just explained the situation. I don't suppose he'll go all the way down to Hankuo to use the phone, but I even enclosed the number in case he feels a need to contact me. I also gave him the resort phone number and the address.”

“What is the resort like?” Lily suddenly asked.

“Oh, we can go by there. In fact, maybe we should so you can meet everyone now.”

“That's all right,” she was a little too swift to say. “I think tomorrow will be fine.”

Jeff didn't have the heart to tell her to look at him. Eyes averted, she was doing her best not to twist her fingers together, and he knew she was scared to death about the whole affair. There was so much he could say, but he didn't know where to begin.

“Do you remember the family names?”

“I think so. Gabriel Kapaia is your good friend. His brother is Ashton, and his sister is Bailey. Her husband is Ian…”

“Evan.”

“That's right! Evan. And their children are Peter and Celia.”

“Wow, you do remember. Now about the resort. There are 13 guest cottages on the beach, but you'll be staying in the main house with the family.”

“They all live together?”

“Yes. They'll have to tell you how it works, but it does. I know that Evan has someone come in and help Bailey clean up a bit two mornings a week, but I think they always eat together.”

“Okay.”

“And do you know what I just remembered?”

“What?”

“I've got to do some laundry before I pack.”

“Okay.”

“Gather anything you need to have washed, and I'll teach you how to use a washing machine and dryer. And bring a book, or it's like watching paint dry.”

Lily's laugh did much for his heart. Doing laundry on their last night was not exactly memorable, but Jeff thought it might be best to stay as “normal” as possible.

Chapter Four

Lily enjoyed Sunday school and the church service, but all the while her brother's departure was in the back of her mind.

I need to confess my anxiety to You, Father,
she prayed even as they drove to the Kapaia Resort.
I missed most of the sermon because things haven't gone my way. I don't know if I'm afraid of this new situation or angry at You that You would dare to interfere with my plans, but even if I can't figure this out, Lord, I'm sorry. I have no right to play God.

Jeff prayed for that very thing over breakfast, so I know he's struggling with the same issues. This is all so confusing, but You're not surprised. Thank You for whatever Your plan is, and help me not to fight You anymore. Help me to contribute to this home for the next eight weeks—not just survive and be in the way, but be a help and an encourager.

“Are you all right?”

“I'm getting there. I had a good deal of confessing to do.”

“You too?”

“I'm afraid so,” Lily said with a sigh. “I get so sick of my sin, Jeff. I don't know how God stands me.”

“Grace.”

“Yes, and more love than I can imagine.”

On those words, Jeff pulled off the main street and under an archway that read Aloha and Welcome to Kapaia Resort. Everything was lush and green—an amazing difference from what they'd seen along the road, where many of the fields were dry and brown.

“They must water everything.”

“Yes, they do. That's typical of the resorts at this time of the year. When the rains don't take care of it, they have no choice but to water to keep the grounds looking beautiful.”

Up the road, signs directed cars to several driveways, and Jeff took the one that said Private Drive. The others had said Resort Office and Gift Shop, Little Bay Restaurant, and Deliveries. Jeff's light-blue Honda scooted past thick palms and dense bushes until it rounded a circular driveway that put the car parallel to a large two-story home.

“Here we are,” he said unnecessarily.

Lily climbed out silently and reached for her bag in the backseat. Jeff had also given her a thin garment bag to hold the things he had purchased, and he took that in his hands. Lily felt her heart pound but tried not to show her fear.

“Should I have brought them a gift, Jeff?”

“No, Lily, nothing like that is expected, I assure you.”

Lily's face was a picture of serenity, but Jeff could see she was pale. He suspected that she was trying to be brave for him. He almost laughed, thinking that's what he had been doing for her. He was so near exhaustion from lack of sleep and emotional disappointment that he thought he might sleep all the way to the mainland.

“Hey, Jeff and Lily! Welcome,” Evan called as the front door of the house opened. None of the family had met Lily that morning in an attempt to give other people in their church a chance to get to know her.

“Hi, Evan,” Jeff called in return.

“Come on up,” Evan invited, and Lily climbed the eight steps to a deep, covered porch. “Evan Markham,” he said by way of introduction, but Lily's eyes were already down, even as she shook the hand he offered her.

“It's nice to meet you, Evan,” she said, and he stared in wonder at the way she kept her lids lowered. His brother-in-law had warned the family about this, but it was one thing to hear about it and another to see it.

“Come in,” Evan invited, and Lily and Jeff entered to find the family waiting inside. Jeff introduced everyone, and before Lily knew it, Bailey was leading her upstairs to a bedroom, her brother following with her things.

“Right in here,” Bailey said, and Lily glanced up long enough to smile at her.

“This is nice,” Lily offered as she took in the white painted walls with the matching bedspread and curtains. The two nightstands, headboard, and a large dresser with a mirror were a light teak.

“This dresser is empty, Lily,” Bailey said, “and so is the closet. So please make yourself at home.”

“Thank you.”

Bailey slipped out, and Lily knew that Jeff was watching her. She turned with a smile.

“I didn't think I would have a room to myself. I thought I might be in with the children.”

“It's a big house.”

Lily could only nod.

Jeff was not overly pressed for time, but he could see that it would be best to keep this short.

“If you need something, Lily, just tell them.”

“I will.”

“And look the men in the eye. It's perfectly normal here.”

She nodded, even as she forced her gaze to stay up. The habit of dropping one's eyes did not disappear in five days. Five days! That's all the time they had had.

“I'd better go,” Jeff said quietly, feeling as though he was deserting a child. His sister was a smart and capable woman, but Hawaii was not home. The culture she lived in was like night and day from his.

“Walk me down, okay, Lil?”

Still working not to panic, Lily only said, “Certainly.”

The house was always a surprise to newcomers. The living room and dining area were wide open to each other, with the kitchen behind a closed swinging door. The stairway rose from the center of this large living/dining area to an open hallway that led to a master bedroom and bath, five other bedrooms, and two baths. There were no rooms over what the family called the “big room,” giving a spectacular ocean view from 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows.

The family was sitting in the living room, not exactly sure if they should join Jeff and Lily. But as soon as the two came down, Jeff rescued them.

“Thank you for everything,” he said as he went from the last step straight ahead to where the sofas and chairs were gathered in a circle. In one corner were two more sofas and a television, but the center grouping was for conversation.

“You're welcome,” Gabe said with a smile. “Did you settle in, Lily?”

“I thought I might do that after Jeff leaves.”

“Good idea.”

As Evan had, Gabe stared in fascination with the way she kept her gaze lowered.

“I'd better get going,” Jeff said just before all the family came forward to hug him. Lily had known her brother was affectionate, but she hadn't expected it from everyone. Letting her mind stray to this caused her to forget how quickly he was leaving. Before she was ready, they were alone on the front porch.

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Jeff she wanted to go home, but she knew that wasn't fair. She hadn't even given this family a chance, and deep in her heart she knew her brother would never do anything to harm her. Nevertheless, even the long plane ride back to Kashien would have been a relief compared to watching her brother depart.

“You've got to ask them the questions you ask me, Lily. They won't laugh at you.”

“Okay.”

“And work at looking at them.”

Lily's gaze came up when she realized she had fallen back into her habit.

Jeff smiled at her, and Lily thought she would die when she saw the tears standing in his eyes.

“I won't do anything to make you ashamed of me, Jefferson.”

A sob broke in the man's throat.

“Oh, Lily, I would never be ashamed of you.” Even as he said it, he knew where her statement had come from. This would have been what his father had said to her in order to make her work hard and think seriously. He had to get out of there quickly, or he knew he wouldn't make it. Stepping forward, Jeff hugged his sister and Lily hugged him back. He told her he would call her as soon as he got settled, and then he moved down the front steps.