Page 51 of The Wrong Sister
“That’s killah! I won’t even hold it against you that you guys went to Kahuku.”
We roll our eyes. “We won’t hold it against you that you went to Castle.”
Norah elbows him and he steers us back on track. “To business, ya? I’m down to have my head shaved. We’ve already been sharing teasers for the planned post on Instagram for virtual donations too. We were thinking we could live-stream it. My two cousins, Ali’i and Kainoa are in as well. They both have a lot of community connections. One in Waimanalo and one in Waianae. Hopefully, that will help reach a larger crowd.”
“That all sounds good. Any women jumping in there? There’s something very powerful about women shaving their heads in solidarity. Or anything else we can do to catch people’s interest?” I ask, taking notes.
“Halia’s mom, Ilima, is shaving her head. Her dad too. I believe the women in the family want to shave theirs as well, together.” Norah kisses K’s cheek and leaves.
“That’s fantastic! I predict a shit-ton of tears.”
Griffin has been sitting quietly, listening to the conversation. He chimes in. “I know a guy who makes t-shirts. Let me reach out to him. If we can’t get him to donate them, I’m sure he would at least give them to us at cost. I’ll talk to my firm about sponsoring that way there won’t be any up-front costs. Then if you can come up with a cool slogan or graphic, we could sell t-shirts too.”
“I love that idea!” I kiss his cheek. “Ooooh, I know—Raff!”
“What about Raff? He there too?” K asks, leaning forward with interest.
“Not in my apartment, no, but around town. I can’t believe we haven’t run into you! We’ve gotta get together and surf again.” Griffin looks happier and more relaxed than he has been in a while. It’s nice to see him this way. He carries too much on his shoulders usually. “But wait, what about Raff?” He turns back to me.
“We could ask him to design the t-shirt. Anything he makes would look awesome and it would get more eyes on his work!”
We’re all going back and forth throwing out ideas and I’m scribbling furiously in my notebook. I knew it would be better to talk than email. And it doesn’t surprise me that Griffin jumped right in, offering help in tangible ways without even knowing the full story. He’s very selfless and I’m finding that he doesn’t hesitate to take care of people in concrete, substantial ways. It’s such a big, incredible, attractive quality. He’s not all talk. He gives his time and energy, committing himself 100%. I genuinely admire him.
“Ka‘eo, this was great! Super productive and I’m beyond excited about all of these ideas. You two talk to everyone on your end and figure out a time we can narrow in on. We’ll work on the t-shirt angle. Let’s talk again in a week or two, when we have new info, ya?”
“Sweet! Killah to see you guys, especially together! Oh,” he turns, calling off-screen, “we’ve gotta get them together with our crew!” He turns back to us. “She’s into it. We’re gonna make it happen. Brah hit me up about surfing and tell Raff hi! Laters!”
I close my laptop, sighing happily. “That was even more productive than I was hoping! Things are coming together.” I lean my head against Griffin, buzzing from all that positive energy.
“I can’t believe we both know Ka‘eo, separately, for totally different reasons. It really is a small island.”
“Truth!”
Work accomplished, we spend the rest of the morning and into the afternoon doing not much of anything. It’s glorious. We walk over to Hungry Ear Records and browse vinyl for a while. We get lunch and sit out in the sunshine for a bit, talking and enjoying the beautiful weather. We’re walking hand in hand, approaching Griffin’s apartment when my phone rings. I answer it, but before I can get a word out a muffled voice is whispering.
“Is this Mina from Child Welfare? We don’t have much time before he comes back home. We have to get away! Please, help us!”
1 meet Ka‘eo in “Like a Good Neighbor”
31
griffin
Mina answers her phone and her whole demeanor changes. Her face freezes, her expression tense, and she squares her shoulders. Her fingers are gripping the phone so tightly her knuckles are blanched white. She doesn’t say anything, simply listens for ten seconds or less.
“I’m coming. Be ready to run.” She turns to me and there’s fear in her eyes. All the color and vibrancy have leached from her face. “I need to go. Right now.”
I don’t even ask where or why. Her face tells me enough. “I’ll drive.”
We sprint to the parking lot, jumping into my car. Mina gives me the address before getting back on her phone. It’s not too far in distance but the area quickly becomes shabby as soon as we cross under the interstate. Houses are crammed close together, small front yards filled with junk, old cars in various states of disrepair clogging both sides of the street.
“Kawika, hey. I got a call on my personal cell, asking for help. It could be legit, but I have a weird feeling. Either way, could you meet me over there in your squad? Flashing lights and a badge can’t hurt, ya?” She gnaws on the side of her finger while listening, her knees jittering against the seat, before giving him the address and hanging up. Mina directs me to a house down a small alley. She has a hand on the door and turns her body to look at me.
“Turn around that way you have a clear, straight shot out of here. Keep the car running and your head down.” The strain in her voice has me worried. More than worried. I’m afraid.
“Mina, what is this? Where are we?”
“Do you trust me?”
