“Yes, that’s a great idea,” Maggie said. “I’d come with you, but I think you need to be alone for a few minutes. Go do some yoga poses. Breathe the salty air. Anything and everything you can think of to burn off that anxiety.”

Quinn laughed, grabbed her sun hat and a towel, and then headed out the door. She made a quick detour for the path, avoiding the back door of Maria’s house.

Five minutes later she approached the water. She leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and breathed deeply.

“It’s serene out here, yes?” a voice called out.

Quinn jumped. She turned to see Kupuna sitting on a small foldable chair, just a few feet to the left of the path she’d come down. She’d been in such deep thought she hadn’t even seen him.

“Yes, it is,” she called back, then walked over to him.

She lay her towel on the ground beside his chair and sat down, bringing her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. She couldn’t say what moved her to join him, especially when she had wanted to be alone, but she was drawn to him.

He sat staring out to sea as though he could really see the waves crashing upon one another. His face intrigued her; the nooks and crannies held so much wisdom. She found herself wondering what his life story was about.

“Maria said that today is a big day for you,” he said, breaking into her thoughts, his voice low and calm.

She nodded, forgetting he couldn’t see her.

“Yes, it is. But I’m afraid.” The words came out nearly without her knowing it, startling her with the truth she spoke.

He reached over and took her hand. It should’ve felt awkward, but somehow it didn’t.

“Whatever you find at the end of this day, it will not change the person you are. But you may need to dig deep and find forgiveness for all that has transpired. The Hawaiian tradition teaches that all life is connected. Ho’oponopono means ‘forgiveness’ and is not only a way of healing ourselves but others and our world as well.”

Such profound words that they kept her silent. What did he know that she didn’t? What was going to require this forgiveness that he spoke of?

There really wasn’t much to say after that. When he let her hand go, it tingled where he had held it.

She watched the waves for another minute or two, then rose.

“Thank you, Kupuna,” she said, gathering up her towel. “I’ll think about your advice. I’m sure it will come in handy.”

He nodded solemnly.

“Did Pali come home?” she asked.

“No, but he will,” Kupuna said. “He’s a good boy. Confused, but good all the same. I expect to see him by nightfall.”