Page 102 of Catch a Wave
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KALAINE
Love is a lot of things, but safe isn't one of them.
~ Mandy Hale
“So, you came here?” Megan asks me.
Megan and I are sitting on one of the patios at the back of Alicante. The resort roped off the area for us.
I nod. “Yes. My brother, Kai Kapule, lives here.”
“Kai was a pro surfer at one point.”
“Yes. He retired a little over two years ago.”
“I remember his career well. Send him our regards fromSurfermag.”
“I will.”
Megan’s cameraman joined us for the interview. Just like Leilani predicted, he’s filming me while Megan asks questions. She’s not writing anything down this time since she’ll have the film to watch and draw material from later. Megan and I agreed not to mention the name or location of the island so we don’t draw a crowd of people here who would invade my privacy.
“And what happened when you arrived?”
I don’t tell her how Bodhi answered the door the day I showed up on Kai’s porch. I already decided to leave his name out of this whole interview. This is my story. He’ll remain anonymous.
“I ran into an old friend. That person was instrumental in getting me past my fears. I just surfed for the first time again last week.”
“So you’re physically able to surf again.”
“I am.” My voice lifts. “I didn’t know if I would. But I am.”
“That’s totally understandable after the kind of accident you endured.”
Megan already walked me through a series of questions so I could give a rundown of what happened at Mavericks.
“Will you be getting back into the circuit?”
“I’m considering it. I just talked with Dan two days ago. We’re figuring out next steps.”
“Dan Hale, your coach and jet ski pilot?”
“Yes. Dan Hale.”
“Well, that’s exciting news!”
“It is. I don’t know what we’ll decide, but we’re working out options together, and Dan’s talking with my previous sponsors.”
“I love hearing that. The world of surfing will welcome you back with open arms. I hope you know that.”
“I do. I’m fortunate. And I love our ohana—our surfing family.”
Megan smiles and then she asks me a question that takes me by surprise.
“So, do you see Bodhi Merrick much these days?”
I school my features. If I even flinch, I’ll give everything away on camera. I’d like to shoot Megan awhat the hecklook.
