“Kawe, do you use the word community differently than I do?” I laughed softly, leaning on his arm as Kawe helped me down a set of stairs, my cane in my other hand and bag on his back.

“Ah, I might. For us, my family at least, we call ourselves our community. It's only eight of us. But you're included now. So nine. Oh! I never asked. How old are you?”

“26.”

“Really? Me too.”

“And you're single?”

“Kind of hard to date when you're related to almost everyone your age and live on a small island. There aren’t many people around me who are eligible, and I'm okay alone. I do have dreams for my life that I'm unsure will happen now, but I'm happy,” he smiled down at me, and I relaxed against his arm as we reached the bottom of the stairs.

Kawe refused to let go of me, and I gave in to it, feeling safe being with him, and he smiled at me again as we reached a small wooden house, vegetables and fruits growing everywhere in the front yard, flowers amongst them, along with a clothing line covered in sheets. Plant holders were hanging from the roof; vines and leaves cascaded from them, making the home seem more welcoming.

“Kawe, this house is lovely,” I gasped, looking everywhere in a hurry.

“It's mine,” a rumbling voice called, putting the gentle deepness of Kawe's to shame, “hello.”

“Oh,” I waved politely at a man Kawe greatly resembled, “Hello. I'm Asher Bennett.”

“I'm aware,” he laughed, adjusting the front of a green cotton button-up, Kawe wearing a similar top but his was tan, “I'm Arona. My wife Kamaka is checking the nets with Nikau. Noemh should be around here somewhere, I can never find her. Oh! Aata,” he laughed. I turned my head to find a younger man with the same onyx curls, but his eyes were green, the woman next to him obviously Mika as she held his hand, deep mahogany waves braided down her back, and matching her eyes, “You're on time.”

“Kia ora,” Aata nodded, and I looked around, realizing all of the men around me were rather tall and broad from a life of working with their hands, “Kawe, you brought Asher? We were planning to pick him up.”

“I thought it best I did as we're neighbors and I didn't want them to get hurt,” Kawe shrugged, fixing a part of my jacket, “You look wonderful,” he whispered in my ear, and my face flared.

“Did Noemh make that?” Mika smiled, kissing both of my cheeks before adjusting my curls a bit, “Your hair is naturally so light?”

“Oh. Yes, but Kawe gave me the jacket. I thought it would look good over jeans and a white shirt, I’m glad it does. It's incredibly comfortable. My brother has the same blonde curls as I do, which was surprising to our fathers. Um… My brother Bailey's biological father was transgender and left our Matua Koa at the aisle when Bailey was 2. He waited three years to date again and met my father, Rio. I was born through surrogacy, Koa donated as Rio couldn't. For whatever reason, even with hair as curly as mine but nearly as dark as Mika’s, both Bailey and I are blonde. We match our father, Rio. But he has blue eyes. Ours are hazel. Bailey and his fiancée, Kylie, just had their first child. Her name is Ava. She's adorable. Light blonde hair, hazel eyes. A bit lighter skin tone than mine.”

“Oh, I'm sure your brother feels blessed,” Mika smiled gently, “Welcome to our family, Asher. I am so sorry about Felix. We thought you knew everything about his tendencies to lie to make himself seem better or earn sympathy and decided it was worth it.”

“Not at all. Kawe opened my eyes, or I wouldn't have been able to annul the stupid marriage I got into over Felix. To keep him safe was what I thought. It's okay. I'm okay. I'm happy now. It feels nice to be somewhere new with such nice people. Um… I hate to ask this, but I can only lean on Kawe and my cane for so long. I was in a car accident that should have left me paralyzed. Instead, I have issues with my muscles. Permanent leg weakness. The stairs were a lot for me. Can I have a chair?”

“Come with me,” Kawe carefully pulled me along, his arm now around my waist to keep me steady, and I could feel myself smile as we came around the home to the back, the beach meeting us.

“I love how close the water seems to be everywhere.”

“Not too fun when the weather is awful,” an ethereal older woman called, her red dress fading into the water around her ankles, onyx curls blowing gently in the breeze as she held a basket on her hip. Her eyes were as honey gold as Kawe and he nodded once I was settled in a chair, “Kia ora, Asher. I'm Kamaka. That idiot's mom.”

“I'm not an idiot,” Kawe scowled, laying a hand on my shoulder.

“Oh, not you. That one,” she pointed, and we turned to find Nikau standing on the deck, his cheeks puffed out and making me laugh at yet another member of Kawe's family being similar to him, “Dinner will be in twenty minutes, Nikau. Be a good son and stop eating the prawn fried rice. Where is your sister?”

“Talking to her girlfriend,” Nikau rolled his eyes, “I told Noemh to have Dippa move here already since Noemh has that small hut, but they aren't ready. I know you,” he nodded at me and I waved, “When are you bringing your first delivery by?”

“I have some baby shower invitations I just finished printing, so tomorrow, more than likely. Then I have to focus on a funeral as it's a stat order. Three weddings and a birthday party after that. You'll see me once or twice a week, more than likely.”

“What do you do?” Kamaka smiled, moving her dress to take the seat next to me, “Kawe, get our guest a drink, my word, I raised you better than this.”

“Don't let him get up, Mom. His legs can't handle it,” Kawe squeezed my shoulder before jogging off.

“To answer your question,” I patted my thighs as I crossed my ankles, “I work as a graphic designer. I create logos, advertisements, and flyers. But what makes me good money is invitations and any other designs you'd need for weddings. I'm a trained artist, went to university for it. I'm best at oil painting, though.”

“Really? Wait, that's wonderful!” She gasped softly, “I've been looking for someone to help the island. We get more tourists than you'd think, as the second biggest island in the group. I've wanted murals and signs created. I'll pay you if you can do them. I run the one hotel here as well as the Chamber of Commerce. Arona owns two of the four shops. Would you be willing to help? Between the work for your business, of course.”

“Well, isn't that what people here do? Everyone seems so close,” smiling, I accepted a bottle of cider from Kawe, and he sat on my other side, “I'd love nothing more. I'm happy to breathe a bit of life into the businesses around here with my art. We can sit down and figure things out when it comes to the designs. I'm staying permanently after all. Other than going to see my family regularly, I'll be home. Don't worry about paying me. It'll be fun for me to make something new. I need the inspiration.”

“I am thrilled you chose to move here,” Kamaka took both of my hands gently, “as a mother, it would be a lie if I said I wasn't worried about you, though.”

“Because of my health?” I whispered.

“Partially, but I mean your heart. Felix has always been this way. Using people until he can't anymore. He did it to most of the people here. He's a skilled liar. Twist things to come out on top in all situations. Asher, promise me that you will never talk to him again. You deserve true love. Love that is safe and warm. Love that feels like home. Felix couldn't give that to you, but I know you'll find someone.”

“I hope so. I have no intention of letting Felix back into my life. I just want to be happy. To know what it feels like to be with someone without drama or chaos.”

“I'm sure that your soulmate is waiting for you,” Kawe poked my cheek and I smiled at him, “and I'm sure they've been waiting a really long time,” he whispered before clearing his throat, “Kowhaea, do you need me to bring anything outside or are we eating in the house?”

“Can you help Nikau gather the dishes? Your Matua and Aata should be finishing up the grilled fish now,” Kamaka nodded and Kawe rushed away, “Oh my…”

“Is he okay?” I laughed softly, taking a sip of my cider, “Kawe is more affectionate than I thought he would be. He also rambles when he talks.”

“Ah. Yes, he's fine. My son is a bit… hm. I'm not sure how to describe Kawe. He's a people pleaser. Gentle, caring, overly protective. Kawe would give you the last few dollars he had to his name if you needed it. But Kawe is lonely. He spends too much time alone if he's not helping someone. You're likely to find him near the water, collecting shells and driftwood.”

“Ah. Makes sense. He's been taking care of me today. I appreciate it. It makes me feel safe.”

“Good,” she squeezed my hands, making me giggle, “the last thing I want you to promise me is that you will not push your body. Arona has a delivery driver for groceries. There are quite a few elders on the island who can no longer travel easily. Use the delivery okay? Unless you need something at that moment, rely on the island to care for you. I know you'll care for it. We take care of each other, there's no reason for you to push past your limits.”

“I’ve never been good at keeping to my limit physically,” I laughed softly, “but I’ll do my best. Before the accident, I ran everywhere. I rarely just sat and enjoyed myself. I didn’t know how. As soon as I was almost left in a wheelchair, I realized it’s okay to simply be still. To let things move around me and not always be involved. I blame my father, Rio,” smiling, I squeezed her hands and Kamaka smiled as well, “he rushes around while my Matua Koa watches from the couch in confusion.”

“Ah!” Aata beamed as everyone joined us in the sand, taking seats around the table. Kawe and Nikau started to bring out food, a younger woman behind them who was giggling the entire time, her chestnut brown waves falling beautifully around her waist, “We were wondering about your family. I know some, but Arona was curious.”

“Well,” I settled into my spot, Kawe immediately taking my right side as Kamaka started to serve everyone with Mika and who I realized was Noemh, “I have two fathers. Koa and Rio. Koa is from Christchurch, and Rio is from Perth, Australia. Koa had a son from a previous relationship, my older brother Bailey. I was born when Bailey was 7. My grandparents are interesting. Alexander is from Taupaki, and he’s a doctor. Was a doctor? He’s retired. His husband, Caelan, is from Montana in the United States. That’s Koa’s parents. Oh! Koa has a twin sister named Kaia. She worked at a tiger refuge my entire life in Myanmar. Rio’s parents are Joey and Billy; they’re from Perth. Rio was a zookeeper at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch until I lost my hearing when I was one. He became a stay-at-home dad at that point. Bailey works at Orana now as a marine life veterinarian with his fiancée, Kylie. They just had their first baby, her name is Ava.”

“Was it an accident?” Nikau gestured to my ears, and I shook my head.

“I had tumors that grew large enough to severely damage my auditory nerves. I lost my hearing overnight. But because I was so young, I didn’t start talking until after I had my implants. I went through 12 years of speech therapy, and my family learned NZSL for me. Cancers and hearing loss are common in our family. I know my parents intend to visit soon, and I’m sure they’d love to meet all of you. I just ask that you don’t stare. Koa has a prosthetic arm from his own accident at 18. Rio had a tumor in his thigh when he was born, and the doctors had to amputate his leg. His birth parents abandoned him at the hospital, and my grandparents adopted him without hesitation.”

“You have a wonderful family,” Arona smiled, and I nodded, “They seem to fight through thick and thin. Your parents are lucky to have found each other.”

“Koa had it rough,” I sighed softly, taking a bite of the prawn fried rice and smiling, “This is amazing. Anyway, Koa was left at the altar when Bailey was two by Bailey’s biological father. His name was Evander, he was transgender. He’s twins with my Uncle Kipton. Kip and Koa stayed friends even after Evan left Koa.”

“Jesus,” Kawe snorted, and I looked at him confused, “I’m sorry. But the drama that follows your family could make a movie.”

“Try my Matua losing his arm two days after qualifying for the Olympics if you want to make it even more dramatic.”

“Wait, we heard about that!” Mika gasped softly, “It was all over the news.”

“Yeah, he hated the attention from what I understand, but the accident saved his life. Koa used to have a sensory processing disorder. It was severe enough that touching people could give him a panic attack. When his car was flipped, he hit his head on the road after being thrown out, and it scrambled his brain. Killed that part of him that left him unable to function. He takes full advantage of it now. My parents are gross.”

“Ours too,” Noemh giggled, taking a sip of something bright blue and white, “always kissing and grabbing each other.”

“Right? It’s disgusting! What is that?” I pointed to her glass.

“Oh! It’s a jellyfish cocktail. Vodka, blue curacao, and sambuca. Then I add cream to make the alcohol float. Do you want one?”

“God, yes, that looks amazing.”

Noemh giggled and ran inside, clearly excited to share her drink with someone else. Kawe poked my side and I looked over, hoping I didn’t have sauce on my face from the salmon I was eating.

“It’s the sweetest drink in the world,” he whispered, “she loves it, but don’t drink it too fast. Not sure how comfortable you’d feel if I have to carry you home.”

“You carried me earlier.”

“That was more of an emergency; you would have gotten hurt if you hit the ground,” he grumbled, warmth on his face.

“Fine, fine. I’ll drink it slow.”

Dinner continued, everyone laughing and enjoying the sunset as the waves receded a bit, low tide occurring. Kawe ran to the shore as I watched, looking around for a moment before coming back with a small pearlescent shell in his hand.

“Oh, how pretty,” I whispered as he cleaned it on his shirt.

“I use them to make wind chimes,” Kawe smiled, sitting next to me while Aata, Arona, and Nikau started a fire in a pit to my right, “tourists love them. I do it to keep my hands busy.”

“That’s why I draw so much. It’s relaxing,” I took the last sip of my drink and set the glass on the table, crossing my legs, “It’s nice being here. Thank you, Kawe. For bringing me along.”

“I wanted to give you a bit of peace to counterbalance the crap you’re going through with my cousin. He’s so stupid, I swear.”

“Just lost in the world, I think. I won’t make excuses for Felix’s behavior. I deserved better than being tricked and used. I hope he learns from his actions someday and grows up. What I want from life is what he claimed he wanted, but I don’t think he was telling me the truth.”

“Probably not. What is it you’re searching for?” Kawe rested his arm behind me on my chair, and I tucked my hair back, looking at the fire.

“Marriage. Kids. Happiness.”

“Yeah? Me too.”

“It’s a good dream to have.”

“Absolutely.”