"So, a restaurant huh?" Danny said as he greeted Kai at the table, “pretty unusual place to meet with a disgruntled parent.”

“Well," Kai shrugged as he sat down, "I figured it being a public place and all, there was less of a chance of you, I don’t know... killing me, or at least shouting and not letting me get a word in edgewise.”

He said it with that same smirk he'd had the day before, as if he and Danny had known each other for years and it was an inside joke they shared.

Danny stared at him, not sure whether to admire the guy's straightforwardness or get offended. 

“Well, then," Danny said, offering a small smile as he sat down opposite Kai, "you don’t know me very well.” 

"Well," Kai shrugged, holding up the menu, "Kaleo’s has some really great food, so at least we'll have that."

Danny chuckled, nodding. He drummed his fingers on the table, looking around the restaurant as Kai glanced at the menu then back at Danny, then the menu again.

“So,” Danny finally said, Kai immediately looked up at him, “about yesterday...” Danny rubbed the back of his neck and offered another small smile at Kai, “El and I had a nice long chat..."

He paused, like he was trying to find the right words, not just let them flow out like they had the day before.

"You seem like a great guy,” he continued, “and camp fifty does too. It’s just..." he held his hands out and closed his mouth.

Kai opened his, ready to say something, but thought better of it and decided to let Danny collect his thoughts.

“As a parent,” Danny started again, more slowly this time, voice softer and lower, “you wanna make sure that your child, which is the light of your world, by the way, is always gonna be okay. And I know that's something I can’t guarantee, things are gonna happen that I'll have no control over. But this- this camp, I had control over that. If she- she could have gotten hurt. I mean I just-” Danny stopped suddenly, taking a deep breath.

Kai had been expecting yelling, not this.

“I just," Danny continued, voice even lower, "I don’t understand why. Why was it so important that they throw knives? Do you know how many ways that could have gone horribly wrong? One of the kids could have hurt themselves, or worse."

Danny’s voice was just above a whisper, Kai had to lean in across the table to hear him.

"Or," Danny continued, eyes wide as he stared at Kai, "they go home and decide they want to try it again, no professional throwing knives, no adult supervision.”

Danny paused, wanting that to sink in.

“And then, worse,” Danny continued whispering, disgust and anger filling his voice, “doing all of this stuff behind the parents' back. Not even giving them so much as a warning of the danger they're sending their kids to?”

It took Kai a few seconds to realize Danny was waiting for his response.

“We…” Kai said, his mouth felt dry, throat like sandpaper, his words barely audible.

All he'd wanted was to bring joy and confidence into these kids' lives, teach them they were strong enough to chase their dreams, that they could conquer whatever monsters plagued their lives.

He tried again, clearing his throat. “There are forms we require parents to sign.”

“What?” Danny said, his voice returning to normal volume, startling Kai.

“Um,” Kai forced himself to swallow again as he sat back up in his chair. “Consent Forms, Liability Release, Waivers, etcetera. Um, your wife, Cristina? She was given a binder. There was a full schedule detailing all our activities for the month. Copies of handouts we gave the kids, all the instructions, and safety procedures. There— well... it was a big binder.”

Kai winced, waiting for whatever comeback Danny had ready.

But Danny just stared at him with creased brows.

Kai wasn't sure if that was worse.

“I’m sorry," Kai finally said, unable to stand the silence, "I thought your wife would have shared all that with you.”

“Ex-wife." Danny gritted, "and no, she didn’t.”

Kai wasn’t sure how to answer but before he could think of anything Danny picked up a menu and stared at it with laser focus.

Kai pressed his lips together, staring at Danny for a second longer before picking up his own menu.

"What can I get you two to drink?” Their waitress said as she walked up to their table,

"Hi,” Kai grinned, “um…” he glanced at Danny.

“Yeah," Danny said, blinking away his thoughts, "can I get a uh-" he looked at the menu again, "a Blue Hawaiian.”

“Make that two Blue Hawaiians,” Kai said, thanking the waitress as she left.