Accident At Captain Cook, Chapter 14
Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008
by Elizabeth Whitmer
PPIG
Copyrighted material, from Aloha Rainbow 12/06/2007 edition, by Elizabeth Whitmer.
Chapter 14: Accident At Captain Cook (Note: if you've only got a minute or two, go right to page 242.) Today was the trail ride to Captain Cook Monument. Th e sun shone brightly, and the gangly red poinsettia bushes danced in the January breeze. Lotus sat at the base of the kitchen stairs. Her tiny tail beat the wood floor, as Livia's sock feet skidded to a halt alongside the kitchen counter. "Ah–" sighed Guy as he cracked open a fresh can of coffee.
His fingers tapped the counter in time to his words: "Hair looks nice.
Have you been up long enough to fix it all wavy?"
Livia flicked the screen door open, answering with a definite, "No." Watching Lotus hop off the lanai and joining Guy at the kitchen island she smoothed back her unruly locks. Quickly braiding it she quickly added, "Well, I used to straighten the crap out of it when I worked at Southfield Engine. Nowadays, I rarely even blow it dry."
Both stared at the coffee pot. She glanced down to her mug. It still stung her ego – counting herself part of the Rust Belt's mass exodus.
Never a quitter - she slogged through major career changes, three times. Politely conversing, she decided against reiterating the weather report. She almost explained how quickly her hair dried, but was saved by Margaret at the screen door. Grabbing groceries and an armload of flowers, she set them on the drain board, before turning back and catching another bunch of flowers.
© p225 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer Margaret hunched her shoulders, as the screen door slammed shut. Watching Livia rush back and forth, she said, "Good catch!"
"Guess so. Maybe we should fix that door." She filled vases - arranging one with clear yellow hibiscus, and the other with five flaming red- and-yellow torch gingers. She was the first to admit she was always a little spastic before her first cup of coffee.
"Door slam probably woke everyone," Guy quipped as he adjusted his watch, "Half past five – guess Mina's awake – kind of grouchy when she doesn't get her six hour fix. I called work, before realizing it was nearly 10:30 in Michigan. Hulda said they waited three-hours, in that conference room."
"Yeah, and in the summer, there's a six hour difference." Livia turned to Margaret and teased, "Good thing you already brought your briefcase and thermos inside. I'd have smacked them in the door too."
Inhaling more coffee, her thoughts bounced around. She mulled over their Supreme Morning People: Mina, Guy, and her Annabelle. Until Hawaii, winter mornings were torture. With a long line of morning people preceding her, she must have inherited being a night owl from Grandmother Etter.
Margaret moved her briefcase and paraphernalia from inside the pantry door. Returning to the kitchen, she shook her head and sported a wide grin, as he patted her on the back. "Still my best defense man."
She nodded, as he added, "I guess it's better to have a sore foot here than dropping something in the operating emergency room."
Margaret plopped down. "I am exhausted - small wonder I even made it home. Guess thirty-hour emergency room shifts are for residents only." She poured tea and turned to Guy. "Just like our travel hockey days…you're up pretty early."
He glanced to his watch again. "Big time change, and I just don't sleep so much anymore. To top it off, I forgot my Sonora tablets."
He pleasantly chattered and gestured, as Margaret blew steam from her mug and hazily stared at him. Livia wondered, "How would she analyze him? For his age, he was extremely spry."
© p226 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer Margaret finally volleyed back an offer, "Yeah, well, Livia usually has something in her stash. I will write you a script, to fill later. You know, if you are hungry – Tina should have already prepped the buff et with goodies. Umm, usually, there are fresh muffins and bagels and sausage, plus milk, juice, and a variety of fruit. Come on, with me. We will fix our plates together."
He sniffed the air and spun around, poking the air with his finger.
"Great, as soon as I grab some more coffee. Delicious this Kona stuff!"
He spun back, to Livia - then he spun around again. Popping open a cabinet door, he barked, "Good girl! You still keep the mugs, to the left of the pot." Filling his fancy one, to the brim, and with a wide grin, he snapped, "Want some?"
Livia's head slowly stopped wobbling. "No thanks."
"What? You don't want your own coffee?"
"No, I meant - this kitchen coffee is not Kona coffee. You're in luck. Today, we have Kona Peaberry, Koa Decaf, and Lez Beans Extra Dark in the dining room urns. You're welcome to try them - but my brew packs more of a wallop. Cate's Mother sends boxes of Tim Horton's; it's delicious. I brew it strong enough - a spoon stands up. I call it Java Jolt or plain old Diesel Fuel."
"Then that's what I want! You can save the light premium stuff , for the rest of the guests." He savored his mouthful, of the Canadian brew, and tipped his mug to Livia - before requesting decaf for that evening, and asking if it was Swiss water processed. As soon as Margaret returned, his free hand gestured like Caesar, at her, as he said, "Not to change the subject - but isn't your blacksmith friend taking you and Mina horseback riding, to do some snorkeling down by Captain Cook Monument? Oh– she has her heart set on getting her picture taken down there, after reading so much about it. Seems, someone told her the monument sits, on British soil that was donated by -"
Margaret interrupted. "Yes - he is, and it was. Livia is coming too. She and Cate rode with him, four years ago, and they convinced Mina it's the place to see."
© p227 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer Although, she only was half listening, Livia nodded thinking about their friends and hockey. How funny – during all fifteen years she had known them - Mina, nearly twenty years his junior, got up every day and exercised at what Livia coined ‘the crap of dawn.' Whenever they traveled, the Bear's first hockey couple was always the perfect hosts, except that they left everyone early evening - with a well-stocked bar, of course.
He did request that everyone meet two hours before games, for his treat:
breakfast, lunch or dinner, as it may be. Some Canadian tournaments began at 7:00 am – rude awakening for most of the spoiled party goers.
Margaret scraped her plate, rinsed her thermos, and had sipped part of a leftover smoothie - as Guy ambled back from the dining room.
Chewing on a large chunk of strawberry papaya, he glowed. He pulled off a chunk, of Parmesan bagel, and chased it with Livia's Diesel Fuel.
Gnawing it and waving the other half, he whispered slyly, "All you think of is hockey – eh?"
Livia repeated his "Hockey – eh?" recalling how his catchy Canadian phrase peppered the team's banter, within weeks of their first practice.
"Um-hum, hockey," dropped from Margaret's lips, as she turned noticing Guy and Livia quietly focused, on the blazing pink peeking over the high horizon. A fine sunrise soon crowned Hualalai's peaks.
Presently, the smell of fresh coffee reclaimed Margaret's attention.
Offered a small cupful - she declined and shaking her head said, "Yeah, and I'd give my two little fingers for another five good years of play."
With a deep sigh, she excused herself, "Nap time. See everyone for dinner."
With a mouthful of bagel, Guy nodded to Margaret, and raising his mug to her said, "Wouldn't we all?" Watching her tread upstairs he sipped more coffee, leaned toward Livia, and whispered, "Only two fingers – huh? From a surgeon's standpoint, that was no small price.
Sorry you and Margaret had to quit playing hockey before Cate. Your goalie reflexes wore pretty thin, and I guess the knee operations greatly compromised her surgery schedule."
© p228 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer Livia said, "Yes" but knew half of Margaret's problem was Mina – a great slap-shot forward who, when relegated to defense, constantly butt heads with new coach: Michaelene, for more ice time. If Mina got it, Margaret sat.
Every fall, for the next few years, Guy thanked Cate for constantly asking Margaret to return to the Bears. The whole team teased her about being ‘Old Green Pants' - from her Dartmouth days, but they missed her severely. From outside the blue line she could reel-off a crucifying slap shot; which, if correctly angled, could whiz through any goalie's sweet spot. Livia and Cate often reminisced how those fi rst few months, her green pants really clashed with the Bear's red jerseys. Guy said, "She's gonna look like a Christmas tree." He rush-ordered a pair, of custom women's pants, from his nephew's Soo Locks Sports Shop.
Th ey finally got the right fit, which was no small order back in 1995.
By Thanksgiving and Fraser's Friendship Tournament, Margaret was decked-out, like Konstantinov, and terminated many an opponent's breakaway aimed right at Cate. Boy, how Livia missed those glory days.
She looked up as Margaret came downstairs. Glancing to the lanai, she told Guy, "Oh – I see Miss Polynesia has a new stretching buddy."
Waving, as Mina jogged away, Livia figured she had time for a quick couple of miles, before they headed out, to ride, at 10:30. "I asked Richard to join us, but he's tending two dehydrated nanny goats - so, it'll just be the three of us, unless you'd like to join us. I'll be out of your way in a few minutes. I must grab a quick nap before we head out. Mina seems excited to try out Tim's new filly, Hokulani. Evidently - she has a short mane, sparkly eyes, and is a real sweety."
Quickly, she jotted his prescription on the pad. "You know Cate goes to town most every Wednesday. She will not mind stopping by the pharmacy tomorrow. I still have a hard time understanding - how patients have so much trouble sleeping. I barely put my head down, and I'm out like a light."
© p229 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer Guy nodded but he said, "Me on a horse?" His swift reply came, as he waved pinched fingertips, from her face to Livia's, and said. "It's enough for me to fly to my relatives in Piza. Now that I'm here, my feet stay firmly on the ground. This is my day to repeat my hole-in-one.
–Oh! And I want to go back to the Prince Resort's gift shop and get Mina that Fernando Botero. You know, a print, to hang alongside our Bath one - you've seen it hanging in the foyer of our Northville house."
He glanced down and tapped his ROLEX. "Not to change the subject but it's admirable how Cate reserved another marvelous tee time on the Mauna Kea's front 18-holes. She must know someone up there."
Livia surmised that Cate bribed the starter again. Usually it was with a free night at the inn. Brent and his congenial wife, Sherry, were becoming regulars, in the seldom-rented handicap suite, on the first floor. She smirked as she glanced at his shiny back golf bag, which sat grandly on the front lanai. "I see you're on a mission." Looking over her left shoulder, she trotted upstairs.
He grinned a big thanks, waved his prescription in front Livia, as they followed The Good Doctor upstairs.
"Bliss," Livia heard, as she peeped in Margaret's bedroom door.
She watched, as her head sank into the stack of pillows, then she wheeled around on her way to her own room, and caught sight of Mina at the head of the stairs. Livia asked to see her videotape and the scrapbook, of The Bear's last season. Viewing them should keep them busy, while Margaret got a bit of shut-eye. It worked, but not for the whole two hours that she planned.
"It's already 9:50?" moaned Margaret. Looking at Livia and Mina she stretched and said, "Guess I got a good snooze. Let me grab a peanut butter sandwich, and I'll meet you at the car."
Livia headed downstairs but she could still hear Mina chirping to Margaret. "It's so quaint – our Rose mowing that little grassy strip with that little reel mower. Everything else is neat and tidy ground cover.
She must enjoy it - or something. I don't do any of that. Guy hires a © p230 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer lawn service; and what they miss - I have Steve or Timmy clean up.
Let's see if she's almost–"
"Great!" Margaret cut her short. "See you in the kitchen in a few.
You have to know Livia; she's been ready, but puttering around, ever since I told her that you were driving – guess she doesn't like to ride with me. You do know where State Road 12 connects, with the highway out there, don't you?"
Mina was already heading downstairs, so Margaret called out, "Can't imagine why. Tell Livia to give me ten minutes, and I'll drive you out there."
Livia knew Margaret checked-in with the hospital's answering service every morning, and would do so before leaving. She looked across the hood and hoped Mina chose to be pleasant today. Bossy on the bench and damn dangerous on the ice, their blustery hockey captain had taken the Kick Ice Bear's jersey #7, after her idol: Terrible Ted - Detroit's Treasure, who was quite nice – off the ice.
Livia felt a bit edgy and scooted across the car seat to lean out the car window. Morose thoughts hovered and tad of nausea nagged.
Opening her collar, she fumed at how hormones, or lack of them, still caught her off guard. She busied herself filing her nails until she notice Lotus had left something for the guests. Sheathing the fi le, she placed it in the front console and hopped out. Quickly traversing the lawn she grabbed a plastic grocery bag, from the well-disguised trash container.
After depositing the offending turd, she noticed Mina cross the lawn and slide into the passenger seat. She followed suit and plopped down on the back seat. Both shared pleasantries, until Mina held a map up to read, and Livia once again scooted to the opposite window and drank in the cool breeze.
Heading south, they managed to catch the lull in traffic, and they arrived at the trailhead in less than ten minutes. Margaret made her calls in record time, as another heady breeze banished any humidity, which often plagued the low country. They all minded their manners waiting for Tim.
© p231 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer He pulled off the shoulder and soon the truck and trailer sat, at the edge of a small meadow that fronted the half-mile of high cliff s rimming Kealakekua Bay. Tim mentioned Tom had called the inn, and he was enroute to drop off the other two horses near the mile marker at the trailhead.
Soon, all four horses were saddled and chewing grass. Adjusting his spurs, Tim smiled as Margaret sided up to him. Their jovialness was short-lived as soon as Mina glanced from the shady trailhead to Tim, and with her usual bravado she shouted, "Is it Okay to leave the cars anywhere along here?" In a quieter tone, she purred, "Ooh – we look almost like ‘Th e Misfits,' Mr. Gable there's got his spurs on." She ambled along behind the hitching post. Running her hand up and down the smooth wood, she surveyed the horses, from underneath, and seemed impressed that Tim's lead mount was all horse.
The only non-equestrian of the group, Livia piped up and said, "Hercules is half draft horse." She looked from Mina to Tim. "I forget.
What was it Tom said? - Is Herc part Perchon or Belgian?"
Tim glanced back at car and truck, and he answered with his usual baritone calmness. "Car's fine up there. Yep, Herc's mama, Lakanani, fine broodmare she is, got loose with a Belgian when I took her to the vet at Kiper Ranch. Mostly, Herc's a big pussycat." He tipped his hat to the far fence. "But those ladies over there - this guy shows no mercy if rider, or any other horse, mistreats them - hence the spurs." They walked across the small field. Running his hand down the filly's flank, Tim flicked off a tiny tick and continued. "This one here, little Hokulani, is for Livia. Margaret gets Princess, and you should be able to handle mighty ole Captain, down there on the end." He handed Mina Captain's reins and left her alone to preen at his compliment. Jangling over to Livia, he boosted her up. "Now, circle her around a bit while I get your friends attended to."
He stroked each horse, and murmuring to each, he re-cinched each waist strap then re-examined every piece of tack. "Livia, you're up first, come here, and I'll give you a hand with our lunch and emergency © p232 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer packs. Since you're the lightest, Miss Hokulani can carry them strapped behind your saddle."
All the while, Tim's Border Collies, Possum and Army, were getting their full due of scratching from Margaret. She's been good pals with Tim, ever since she tagged accompanied him to Puna looking for an Arabian mare. Being nearly fourteen, Army got stationed in shady truck, with water and kibbles. Possum got the signal, hopped down, and waited by the horses.
Continuing his instructions, Tim assured Margaret, "Just keep a tight rein and parade Princess around a bit. You will begin to notice how a fine a ride your Arabian is. She sure is small, even for a mare, but you'll find not an ounce goes to waste when you need her." He lowered his voice, adding, "Not as Captain over there."
Noticing Army's nose stuck to the truck bed between his front paws, Livia rubbed his head and listened in careful appreciation that Tim did not make light of her last few ordeals with Captain. She soon had Hokulani going round and round, as she watched the more experienced riders warm up their mounts.
The one who captured her attention the most was Mina. She made some flourishing gesture, and with all eyes upon her, she deftly swung up onto Captain's back. Livia wished her luck with the ornery old cuss.
"Little Livia! You doing Okay back there?" bellowed Tim.
"Hokulani won't give you a bit of trouble." Locking eyes with her, he flashed that fabulous grin. They both wrinkled noses, recognizing what a time of it she'd had - getting Captain down the hill last time.
"Miss Starry Eyes is exceptionally gentle and keeps her head to her business." He grinned again before nodding to Margaret. "She helped me get a very good deal on Princess. This little Palomino filly came at an excellent price - with a bit of smithing and The Good Doctor's medical advice thrown in, over at Pancho's in Puna. All in all, Princess is our strongest mount except for Herc.
© p233 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer Livia blushed, glancing up at Margaret and Princess, giving Tim a simple yet hearty "Mahalo." Even her own Hokulani was a bit shorter and narrower than any of her previous mounts. So much more comfortable, and her back and hips would thank Tim tomorrow too.
All a sudden, she remembered a question she needed to ask. "My jeep got serviced down there. Does Mr. Rivera have a parts problem down there?"
Tim shook his head no, explaining that Mr. Rivera recently had been a bit overwhelmed, with some bad health and the financing of his college bound twin 18-year old's freshman year - when Mina interrupted.
Preening, in her new red-and-white NHL Aloha Shirt that flapped open across her candy stripe swimsuit, she flashed her watch, adding, "Couldn't be a better morning for a ride. I'm all set! How about we get going?"
Hercules jerked his massive head at Mina's pinched complaint.
Tim reined him in and gave his customer full attention. He even offered to lead Captain to the trailhead.
"Oh– no! I am perfectly capable," snipped Mina. She attempted to contain herself, as Tim quickly re-wound the lead rope on Hercules'
saddle horn. He gave a quick glance back to Livia, on the far end, and they were off .
She did her best to occupy Mina by poking fun at herself.
"Remember way back when Guy called me Rose? He always teased that I grew up in St. Olaf. Actually, I always took it in jest –and as a compliment."
Mina laughed. "Yeah; he still does. You grew up in Southern Indiana, somewhere near South Bend - right?"
Livia flinched and mumbled, "Yeah, right." She switched subjects, settling on hockey and golf. Years ago, she learned there was no right answer, and that Mina was known to take quick offense to correction.
Even thoughtful debate rarely made any lasting impression. One thing you could say was that she knew her own mind. So, Livia tried one of Luke's tactics and said, "Isn't this sun great? I checked the national © p234 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer weather reports, and Michigan has had the wettest December since the
1870s. So, aren't we lucky we're in Kona?"
She breathed easier when Margaret carried the conversation. Livia could not help notice, as Mina critically eyed Margaret's horsemanship.
Heady rivals, on the ice, the equestrian queen might look for an opening to prove her prowess on the trail. Then Margaret kept her place away from Captain, one hand loosening the belt to her jeans. After an easy mount, she leaned forward, ever so slightly forward, and stroked Princess'
creamy mane and tawny withers. Mina's head bobbed rhythmically, as Captain altered his gait, in time with every bounce or reseat she took.
Margaret graciously accepted Tim's help to lead her mount to the space between Hercules and Captain.
Again, Margaret gently patted both sides along Princess' saddle then told Tim, "Livy is very athletic, and if I am not mistaken, you may be roping in a new student. Just a hint: She can be quite nervous around big animals. I hope she does well and takes a liking to your little Hokulani."
Mina cleared her throat, obviously irritated by the mount selected for her. She was to ride the younger Hokulani; however, only minutes ago, Tim asked her to ride Captain. She was a little taller and lighter than Margaret was, and Captain was getting up in years. Tim explained that the horse seemed a bit weary after his morning exercise. Impressed by Captain's burnished and ornate tack, and always up for a challenge, Mina accepted Tim's request.
Livia faced the late morning sun as she paced her horse in wide circles. Her thoughts wandered to the big monument below, as she drank in the clear warmth and considered how nice it was that Margaret finally had an entire day to swim the bay and explore the entire landscape around the Captain Cook obelisk. Normally, Margaret's work schedule did not allow her to ride weekday mornings. Another attending physician had requested she trade this week's schedules with him. Blessed with the patience of Job, Margaret won out this time and got a rare opportunity to bask in the sun. Livia envisioned the lower portion of the trail - and © p235 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer depending on temperature, cloud cover and angle of light, each familiar twist and turn offered its own glorious vista.
Her gaze fell to Captain's martingale and snaffle bit. Mina owned three horses but, from previous experience, Livia knew he was a handful.
He could be very persnickety about his riders. Livia's rein hand barely tightened and her mount pulled up. Waiting patiently, Livia mulled over Hokulani's Hawaiian name. She leaned forward and whispered in the horse's ear. "Okay, ‘Stars in the Sky' suits you well." An equine ear flick brought more kudos: "What a gallant little Arabian you are today." Both thoroughly relaxed, Hokulani shifted weight and Livia stretched in the sun.
Tim phoned for one last weather report. Sea storms and lightning notoriously buffeted this trail along the raw cliff s.
Mina had a stage whisper, too. She leaned forward, snatching Captain's mane, and twirling it through her fingers. He whinnied and began matching Hercules' stomps. Failing to sit her horse, Mina hissed, "You want to get started, don't you, Captain, old buddy? In a shrill, nasal moan, she turned to Livia, "What time did you say the luau started? Do they eat and dance any earlier, this time of year? You know
- how Guy likes arriving early."
Livia cringed. "No, not really. The daylight hours, for all seasons, are give and take an hour. We're barely over ten degrees, from the equator. Tim is extra careful; any storm can bring lightning and down drafts along here. Would you like some of my sunscreen? There's plenty." She watched Mina apply plenty sunscreen during the car ride. Her impeccably groomed red nails set off her tawny olive brown hands.
Tim snapped the cell phone shut announcing, "Weather's fine,"
and they were off across the grassy section of high meadow. At the trailhead, Margaret commented that she expected the gradient might be a bit steeper and was surprised how gently the trail wound through the livestock fields. Hundred more feet and her comments came true as the short horse train wound along the ten-foot wide ledge, which seemed © p236 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer to go right off into nowhere. Livia heard her praise Princess, as well as cinched up the rein – Margaret having taken the northern approach was not overly familiar with this top portion of the trail seemed excited but more cautious than usual.
As always, Possum knew his job - that of never leaving the shadow of Hokulani's left rear hoof. With the rear well taken care of, Livia's attention began to focus on the horses in front of her. Th e agile Arabian's small hooves quietly cut into the trail carefully sidestepping each set of rocks, roots, or both. Following Captain, Hokulani fell into a comfortable pace, and she kept a good distance from him - never needing her path corrected. That put Livia a bit more at ease, as she quickly replayed the scenario of her first ride down and up these cliff s.
After the first 400 feet, of making her duck every tree limb, Captain continued his errant behavior and jerked the lead-rope that Tim attached to his bridle; although, she was freed from Mr. Pestication's intentions, to enjoy the surroundings. Today, the old poot wore a new bit - and possibly Mina would fair better.
In addition, that was not the whole of it. One their last trip, the ornery paniolo horse, got his muzzle swatted good for barely touching Herc's hindquarters – and these last few minutes, his old tricks were beginning to surface. Livia wondered if he had been less bored at his previous job herding cattle. Possibly this nose-to-tail stuff gave him too much reason to get testy. He sat a pretty good ride; however, she warned Margaret and Mina to wear heavy pants. Any rider who drew his lot might be scraped through the bushes.
Halfway down the two miles of 1,300-foot direct descent, the trail flattened and cut a wide path across a tiny meadow. Tim stopped, released Captain's lead, and lined them up, horses' rears to the bay. After taking his Nikon from his saddlebag Tim stood tall, in Herc's shortened stirrups, and snapped pictures - as he extolled the intoxicating beauty and history of Kealakekua Bay. Behind them shimmered a ten-mile panorama - one of the finest in all the islands.
An eight-by-ten photo of three women, on horseback, framed by stark © p237 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer cliffs leading to a distant and perfectly matched horizon, of lipid blue, would most certainly crown any massive coffee table or gauche two- story entrance wall.
Well choreographed, the horses turned and lined up in unison.
Livia handed out bottled water, and everyone soaked in the view, as Tim gave his standard tourist spiel about the sheer cliffs to their far left.
Supposedly, it was an honor: accompanying baskets of sacred bones, and being lowered to the remote caves hidden there - and on occasion, having completed their work, the person had been cut loose and fell to his or her death. To that comment, Captain shook off Mina's hawked up mouthful of water.
For the final descent, Tim once again secured the lead rope to Captain's halter, to which Mina immediately objected.
Margaret - having heard enough of Mina's consistent hassling, added some rare kindling to the free-for-all. "Hey Tim, Livia told me that you tied a lead on Captain when she rode him down here four years ago?"
He chuckled, "Yep, I did, and – well, he's same old goat. Even with the jingle of my spurs, both these patoots like to show off for the girls. If I put Princess or Hokulani between them, it gets even worse."
Mina shrugged. "Well, I am a bit more horse-worthy than Livia."
Hokulani shuddered, as Livia gently patted her withers and considered Mina's actions. Same as ever; hasn't changed a bit. So humble.
In Tim's defense, Livia piped up. "Well, I was ever so glad to have Tim lead Captain. With nothing more to do than sit the saddle, I just drank in the scenery. Otherwise, I'd be eyeing Captain and correcting his every move. Tom says this old cusser was a good ole cow rustler. I know he knows every inch of this trail, but – holy-mole– he's headstrong. Had me watching for every next branch or boulder, thinking I'd have to duck or lean. The very last inch, he'd veer back to center path. See that? His ear twitched. He knows exactly what I'm saying."
Mina's hand raked her hair, as it fluttered in the breeze. "Oh, our Rose - she's so dramatic and so prone to exaggeration."
© p238 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer Livia kept pursing her lips hard shut. Drama was life - but, she, an exaggerator? Never! Sure enough, another 100 feet with Tim's ears burning - he acquiesced and removed Captain's lead. Repeatedly, that ornery patoot swished his tail and tried his tricks giving Mina good cause for chaps and a helmet. Good thing - the snaffle bit held. Mina reined him in, and Captain kept his head.
Livia snickered. She was no equestrian, but common sense told her no man or animal should never risk an upper cut of Herc's draft- size horseshoes. She grinned impishly, and twisting her head around she crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue flat out at Margaret.
Amused, at Livia's sideshow, and once again faced with two rear ends - Margaret chuckled and purred, "Good girl, Princess. What a good girl you are.", while scratching and ruffling her mane for minding her own business. "When we get home, we'll ask around to find a cheap lady friend to be your trail-mate when you and Hokulani ride with Hercules. Then we can leave Captain home." Princess whinnied and jerked her neck up and down, leaving Margaret to dodge a branch.
"All my hockey fools - Okay back there?" called Tim.
"Oh – we're – just – mighty – ducky!" chirped Margaret.
Livia laughed. "Second pun of the day. Boy, I wish Cate could be here; she'd have loved this."
Margaret snorted, Tim cleared his throat but Mina whipped around snapping, "What did you say?" Captain immediately planted all four hooves, as would any barrel-racing quarter horse. Quick reflexes and a skater's balance saved her from toppling off her saddle.
Livia deliberately and slowly called out the wonders of the afternoon.
"Oh, my– just to witness this incredible view again. Cate so loves this view of the sea. She says this blue is the most– awesome– cerulean-"
Mina huffed, "Really? Any fool can see it's damn blue!" As if she could not tell if Livia had heard her, she hissed, "Livia! Why not stop talking and go write a… Oh– just stick a pencil where the light don't shine!"
Livia's teeth on tongue and icy stare goaded even more aggravation.
© p239 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer The trail continued its steep descent. About the time she could see the where the trail leveled out, they passed Old Cart Road. You could have heard a pin drop. Livia felt something begin to brew, and Mina began to turn around - but before they could start again, Tim deftly pulled off his shirt. Rolling it neatly, he reached back and laid it between hips and cantle. Mina straightened up and leaned a bit for a better view.
Margaret was too quiet, and Livia wished she could feel the wind and sun on her back and chest too, as he stretched grandly– first to one side, then to the other, and finally commanding everyone's attention he said: "Ladies – you cannot see it yet but directly ahead is a twenty-foot obelisk, the Captain James Cook Monument. At the foot of our trail
- yes, there it is - see the tip of it? Look 500 feet past that grove of small trees."
The tension broke as Mina pointed it out. Tim gave her liberty to keep at it, as he pulled on his vest and lilted into the canned tourist version:
how the monument stood on a plot deeded by Queen Likelike to Great Britain 100 years after the captain's demise. Momentarily, they sat in shade again. Tim said, "I'll tie up the horses; however, before you hop down to go snorkeling, let me show you the best place to enter and exit the water. While you ladies swim, I'll set up your lunch and be right here with Possum when you get back. Let me know if you have any concerns or questions. Please, take all the time you want down there and enjoy yourselves."
Livia lead the way through the sand, rocks, and trees - as Tim had his hands full with all four horses. From where they sat changing to their reef shoes and flippers, she watched him twice reposition Hercules and finally tie him across the trail from Hokulani and Princess. With them settled, and knapsacks in hand, he finally found a shady smooth spot in the monument's shadow. With the women out of sight but within earshot, he read, pet Possum and chirped something about Mr.
Orneriness not realizing he lost the family jewels. "We always assume a gelding is of better temperament. In my thirty-five years around paniolo horses, I've noticed just the opposite."
© p240 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer "Oh - Livy, Please– take a picture of me atop Great Britain!" gushed Mina, as she gently slapped her camera in Livia's hands, before trotting off and mounting one of the four cannons, which held anchor chain surrounding the obelisk's base. While Livia checked for film, recalling the time she snapped a whole roll of nothing with Mina's new-fangled 35mm camera. With plenty of space, on this digital camera, and Mina mounted fully in position, Livia opened the wide viewfinder, and snapped away, carefully discarding and editing the proofs before saving them to the camera's memory chip. Mina posed, quite animated in her glory. The shutter clicked repeatedly, as Livia hoped her model could not hear tiny snickers rising, from the small audience that noticed Mina – hands in the air rocking and straddling the four-pounder.
One last whoop: "Giddy-up," and Mina ran off to show Tim the digital proofs, Margaret sat on the sea ledge below and adjusted her swim fins. "I bet Guy will get a good chuckle from that." Leaning over the water, she snapped off morsels of Livia's beef jerky. A large parrotfish trolled within reach as Margaret dropped a tiny bit in the water. With a gulp and a splat! the fish trolled for more. Margaret pointed and asked Livia, "Did you see him grab that? Guess it's not quite as sacrilegious, as Lilo called her tuna sandwich for fish food."
Grinning, Mina walked up and said, "That was a good one.
Glad my feet are covered. Wonder if he'd prefer rare or my blood-red toenail polish?" She poised briefly, then yelled, "Who knows?" and hopped in the water. Quickly climbing out, she cinched up her water waders, scooted over the edge onto the submerged ledge between Livia and Margaret, and watched them snap under water photos. "Wish I'd brought one of those. Try it again!"
This time Margaret positioned her WaterShot at the surface, with her other hand ready to drop the beef jerky – and boy, did that fish jump. It nearly took off her fingers holding the beef. More determined, Margaret whispered, "One more time - you little nipper." Handing the quick winding camera to Livia, she dropped as Livia clicked. They all © p241 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer laughed, as the "Dip and Click Method" came off pretty near perfect with team effort.
"Wow, this little Nemo is fast. Bet I got a good shot of his sparkly gills mid-air that last snapshot." "He must be ten inches long," drawled Livia.
Even Mina agreed that the guidebooks did not sell this place short as one of the best snorkeling sites in Hawaii. "Oh, did you see that one?" Mina was sorely impressed by the variety and large size of colorful fish.
Livia said, "You know, it's too bad Ohau's Hanauma Bay isn't this pristine anymore. It's a wildlife preserve and underwater state park - one of my favorite places on Oahu but thank goodness, this shore is a tad more remote." Except for a couple of kayakers and the sixty-foot Lanakila- II trimaran pontoon-boat, they were alone in this gorgeous bay with the steep cliffs above them. Livia looked up, and she still could not understand what the big deal was with the bone burying. Tim did not prod them to eat lunch, so they spent more than two hours leisurely swimming, before hiking up and down the shore and heading in for their food.
Ruth's twin, Rosie, had presented each rider with a plate lunch of thick deli-style ham sandwich, garnished with homemade pickled-pink turnip slices and small bags of corn chips. Frozen drink packs kept the lunches cold and defrosted into fruity slushes. Mina chatted with Tim, as Margaret and Livia savored each tasty morsel and bird watched.
Surprised, Margaret opened her sandwich. "So, this is the reason you grew cucumbers for our guests' picnic baskets. I have never eaten them shaved on a sandwich. We must buy a few seedless cukes for our lunches."
Livia smiled and reminisced how Cate had always been such a cucumber fan. If diets allowed, there would be The Ma's sour cream, sugared ones for dinner salad too - as it were, Livia could not polish off a whole bowl.
Tim shared more folklore about Kealakekua Bay and the monument. Many locals still called the world famous explorer 'Captain © p242 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer Crook' followed by ‘pompous tyrant' for accepting alms as the harvest deity, Lono. They did credit him for attempting to keep his crew from bedding local women; even so, his crew unleashed diseases that devastated the Hawaiians. That was not all they ruined. Plenty of flora and fauna, which a few of Cook's gentlemen cataloged, are now endangered or extinct - due to gifts of animals and plants, and poor planning and conservation. Another ten minutes, of the women sharing finds and asking questions, and he bagged all the lunch plates and wrappers. After neatly tying all provisions and trash, on Hokulani, the tiny caravan began the climb to the main highway.
Margaret said, "Trail sure seemed a lot less steep coming down. I knew Hokulani was strong and fit – but already, she is beginning to lather."
Growing impatient with Livia's mount dawdling, Possum gently nipped at Princess' hocks, prodding her within ten feet of Hokulani.
With all four mounts nose-to-tail, Tim gingerly pointed out stunning views. To their right, 300 feet above, the thermals wafted, in shimmering eddies against the cliffs' rough outcroppings. The more intense the afternoon heat and light - more ledges and caves floated into prominence.
Holding Captain's lead slack in his left hand, he reined in Hercules when the grand horse wandered a bit too close makai. Th at prompted Livia to lean left, ever so slightly, over Princess' shoulder regarding the much better mauka footing.
Livia's head popped up and Margaret's head turned, as Mina's horse whinnied and reared. Not much motion but Captain's head came down, with his muzzle barely brushing Herc's tail. That slight offense triggered one sorry undercut of massive size-04 horseshoe. Half a second as Livia's head arched up and down mirroring Captain's motion, and his hoof slipped off the trail.
Tim's deep voice bellowed, "Hold!" Lead rope dropped, he vaulted off Herc's flank. Tim's massive stallion never moved, as Mina gingerly slid down Captain and expertly sided up to Herc's shoulder expertly taking his reins. At Tim's quiet coaching, the huge horse remained © p243 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer motionless standing solid, on three hooves, which left one extended mid-air attached to Captain's bridle.
Calmly stroking Captain's muzzle, and with a steady grasp of the horse's bridle, Tim slowly reached down. Steadily, he pulled his field knife from his right boot. Not a breath taken, he carefully began slicing Captain's bridle from Herc's horseshoe. In a fl ash, the knife's blade caught the sun focusing it squarely into Captain's eye. In one sorry moment, hindquarters jerked up and down to the trail - catapulting Tim through the air. –A sharp thwack and thud– resounded below.
Livia stood, in her stirrups, peering over the edge. Deathly still, Tim laid face up. She and Margaret dismounted, exchanging leads.
Leading Hokulani to Mina, Livia noticed Margaret and Possum gingerly prodding Princess forward. Leaning back in the Arabian's saddle and stirrups, sat Margaret straining sideways assessing Tim's position. Stoic wince told all. Dialing 911, she repeated her doctor's code and requested the Honolulu MEDEVAC helicopter. Waiting, for another Oahu connection, she dismounted and quietly watched Livia calmly release the last buckle to Captain's bridle. The astute paniolo horse remained motionless. Captain never once pulled, at Herc's shoe, thus allowing his lead rope to be handed to Mina, who backed away and carefully led him 200 feet up the trail, from Hokulani.
Quickly, Mina returned to gather Herc. Watching her nearly skate across the rough trail, Livia still held Princess at the right side of the trail.
For her size, the mare was the strongest and most maneuverable in case the rescue team needed her help pulling a rescue basket up to the trail.
Margaret asked Livia, "Do you think you can hold the lead, so Princess can pull tight the line, and I can get to Tim?"
Livia nodded, "Yes."
With the horses situated, Mina occupied herself walking-down each of the horses according to their amount of lather. Latched onto Princess' line, Margaret rappelled down and wedged herself on the ledge finally able to keel at Tim's side. They had heard his head hit first, and she quickly checked for blood loss, which was minimal. After taking his © p244 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer pulse she gently rubbed his hand, and his labored breathing came more steady, so mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was not necessary. Possum side-winded, down the long way, arrived at his master's shoulder, and began licking his cheek.
Gingerly, Margaret rolled herself, and gained footing on the ledge below. That brought her chest high, near Tim's head. Once again, the Good Doctor checked for blood loss. Not moving him, she checked his spine she timed his pulse again. Barely discernable, her eyes and head moved slightly from sided to side. Now came the hardest part - to wait.
Livia did not move but contracted and relaxed her leg muscles (an old marching band trick). Their first trail ride, down here, Tim told Cate about an accident on a nearby trail to Nenue Point. Th e excellent MEDEVAC service extracted his mother's friend, from the base of the trail, and headed straight, for Queen's Medical Center on Oahu. She said tiny prayers that it would be the same today, unless the helicopters were otherwise engaged.
Margaret still hovered over Tim. Mina asked Livia if she needed a drink of the water before she gave it to the horses. Instinctively - their hockey knees bent and they braced their feet, as a good-sized tremor jostled the ground and brought Margaret to her feet.
"Oh-shit," said Livia, as her eyes ran to the brush that hid the old lava tunnels right above the trail - well aware, that the Honokua 1950 lava flow oozed for days, only ten miles to their south. Noticing the horses and Possum seemed calm enough, she gulped, holding tight to the lead rope. A minute later, another tiny shake was all that remained of the aftershock. Something rattled through Livia's mind that all of them were only tiny specks on the massive base of Mauna Loa. A chill wind whipped up, then abruptly it ceased as the helicopter sat down, in the tiny meadow 300 feet up hill. Good thing Mina chose the trees to the south of them for the horses.
Within twenty minutes, they lifted Tim up the twenty-foot slope.
Margaret handed Tim's cell phone to Livia, ducked the rotors and climbed aboard. Couple of minutes, and they were up and off .
© p245 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer Livia and Mina gave the accident details to the newly arrived police; but first they phoned Cate, who in turn contacted the Mauna Loa Golf Course. The starter's helper located Guy, who had just pulled up to return his clubs. Tom got the next call. Within seconds, he was on his way to the trailhead to pick up the horses. Once they got him settled down, he called Aye, who in turn broke the news to Chakra.
Livia drove Mina to the inn, and Tom followed.
They sat in the kitchen, and Cate promised Tom that she would stay put, act as dispatcher, and hold down the fort. Guy blew in the door having already chartered Big Green Helicopter's flagship, the Moana Ono.
Lotus Blossom clung to Cate's knees, as Livia reassured Tom.
"Back in Michigan, we would answer our home phone, with ‘Hockey Central.' Just tell us what the stables chores are, and don't give your worries, about bedding the horses down, a second thought."
Livia kept assuring Tom, as Guy kept nodding and gesturing.
"I got a huge Alpha Nova, and it can whisk everyone to the Honolulu Army Base. From there, a limo can get us down there, within an hour of Tim's transport." Livia figured he probably offered to buy Big Green, thus securing the emergency inter-island trip.
Somehow, the afternoon continued smoothly in fast-forward.
After she settled down next to Tom on the helicopter seat, Livia noticed him shuffling a blue packet of legal-length papers. His coinciding phone call, to the lawyer, conferred her suspicions that he may have problems enforcing Tim's medical Power-of-Attorney. Her thoughts churned out a few scenarios. "Well, Princess is not the only warrior today. I'm not a lawyer but I've plenty of experience with hospital and legal papers as Attorney-in-Fact, for my parents and Pearl." With her help and Margaret's expertise - if any situation presented itself, Tom would be quarterback of one formidable team.
Everyone sat quietly in the outer waiting room. Finally, Margaret strode across, to Tom, and started through her list of questions. She checked © p246 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer his paperwork before escorting him to see Tim. Within five minutes, Tom quietly sat between Livia and Aye. She took his hands in hers.
For a bit, his fingers traced her trillium diamond rings as he stared at the floor. She could feel his hands warming, until he pulled free and spoke. "They say he may not make it through the night. It all depends, if they can curtail the swelling at the back of his brain. Dr. Brown says she will notify us, of his CAT scan's availability - then I can go sit with him. She's even offered to stay the night with us." Forty-minutes crept by, until a nurse led him back to Tim.
Livia whispered, "Always keep that paper on you, and only let the hospital keep a paper copy." He nodded, before she released his hand.
Aye sat, as if in a trance; there was nothing to add.
Livia attempted small talk. She talked of Tim's photo of him, full out – above a three meter board, with Diamondback Mountain in the background.
"Yeah, I studied two years at Arizona State student. Th at swan dive was taken in Phoenix, at the state diving championships.
Livia could not believe the coincidence and said. "No way! My cousin, Annie, was Arizona state diving champ out there."
Tom brightened, for a moment, stammering, "She lives in Arizona?"
"She lived in Phoenix and Mesa, and she was three-meter springboard champ when I started grade school." She watched his grin, until it faded. She brought water from the kitchen. This was the hard part - much more than being here. Little, she said or could do, would help him.
By eight, Aye's younger brother and nephew arrived. Standing, to greet them, he introduced them as Kaloki Noe and his son, Ethan. These men were Tim's estranged father and brother. Indignantly, their voices rose, as they demanded to see Tim. Aye nodded to the nurse, as Tom moved to the bench near Livia and the elevator. Neither man would recognize him. She watched Tom's eyes glass over; however, by the time Aye offered him a soda and some cheese crackers, he ate quietly only © p247 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer to once again stare into the distance. Four nerve-racking hours passed.
Finally, Tim's brother came out, and he gave Aye the number and the address of their hotel.
Tom voice sliced the air. "Neither of you have talked to Tim in the past five years. It is my place to sit beside him tonight. He appointed me as his guardian, on these papers right here."
Ethan turned on him and railed, "Those papers and your wishes mean nothing to us. I must return, to watch my brother, later tonight
-when I take my father to the hotel and get him settled for the night."
Livia cleared her throat. Luke had coached her well - made her quite aware that; whenever possible, one must use patience and good manners, in order to gain the high road concerning legal matters, especially with family. He always told her: "Never threaten to sue someone; enforcing the law is always the last resort." When Ethan did return, she joined the men and positioned herself between Tom and Ethan, calmly staring at him every time he raised his voice. She fawned over Ethan's tattoos and brought everyone food thus bogging down various conversations, well knowing that no one would enforce any legal papers this late at night. Margaret donned her white coat and stood above her friends. A heated discussion ensued. Guy and Mina did not budge, Aye remained cool, and Livia applied her best schoolmarm stare. That, and Tom towering over him - Ethan realized he was royally outnumbered.
Aye finally said, "I think not. You and your father may return tomorrow, and Tom will stay this night, along with Livia and me - and of course Good Doctor Brown. If not…" He stopped mid-sentence and turning his shoulder to them, gazed past Diamondhead.
A phone call interrupted them, and it was Chakra. That was it; no more was said. Within ten minutes, Ethan returned with his father.
Aye rose, walked them downstairs - returned alone and sat quietly. He caught Livia's eye and reminded her that she needed to eat again. Th ey figured now was as good a time as ever, so Mina and Guy accompanied her to the cafeteria. She too returned alone - saying, "I got a lamb © p248 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer and chicken shawarma sandwich. Finished half of it, down there, and brought this half for later. Guy and Mina took their supper, to go, and called for a room. They're on their way, to the Hilton right now." Aye stifled a chuckle, by clearing his throat, and said, "Guy had no problem reserving a room - said the concierge's dad was the Hawaii Kai Course Pro. Your coach bent the man's ear and got a quick nine holes first thing tomorrow morning. Mina has her eyes on revisiting a few Waikiki shops – said something about wedding favors for next spring's events. Both seem as content as Tallulah in wet sand."
Aye smiled. He patted Livia's back and rubbed it a while before closing his eyes, resuming a bit of shut-eye. Within half-an-hour, a nursing assistant lightly shook his shoulder and asked him to take a phone call. Upon his return, he announced that it was merely Chakra keeping tabs on everything. Aye gave the details: "Evidently - Kaloki called her, and he was sorely disappointed to find that she supported my decision. I doubt that Tom will have any more problems from them, at least while Tim is here. We have immediate family near Honolulu, too." That said - Livia decided to file away those last few comments. To subdue her over-active imagination, she would phone Cate later, and ask about Tim's relatives.
Sometime before 5:00 am, Margaret pushed open the wide Intensive Care Unit doors and headed straight to Aye. "Tom gave us permission, to place a shunt, at the base of Tim's brain. Th e doctors will know whether, or not, the surgery has been successful, within the next couple of hours. I will stay with him, in the ICU, and come back here as soon as I have any more news. This is a far-cry from my specialty, so if you don't mind, I will bunk over at least a few days." That said - Livia took none of it, as a good sign.
Four people waiting in Honolulu was quite enough. Given that she was no relative of Tim's, her love for hospitals, and the crowded quarters, Livia agreed to fly home. Cate would rarely ask, even if she needed help - Livia volunteered to work at the stables. After she phoned, for a © p249 Aloha Rainbow Elizabeth Whitmer taxicab, Aye accompanied her to the admission lobby. In the taxicab's backseat, they hugged, and Livia said, "Seems weird. I've never fl own without baggage."
As Aye paid the airport parking lot attendant, Livia told him: "I'll get in contact with their friends, Tom said, ‘Just ask if I need anybody's help with the horses.' Some have already picked up their boarded horses till he gets back." Once past the airport TSA frisk, she waved goodbye through the metal grille.
Back home, Livia started every morning by feeding the animals and answering the phone messages for riding reservations. Later in the week, she contacted all of Tim's blacksmith and farrier accounts. Most customers asked that she find out, if there was anything, they could do to help. Every few days they checked about his progress. After a few weeks, Margaret described Tim's injuries and progress in more detail.
It shocked Livia and Cate when The Good Doctor said she had not expected Tim to survive his first surgery. The chief army neurosurgeon gave him only a fifteen percent chance of waking in the ICU that first morning. Oddly enough, during that time, no one heard a thing from Kaloki or Ethan.
© p250 Chapter 15: Fantasy Auction (Yeah - there's lots more ...) Copyrighted material, from Aloha Rainbow 12/06/2007 edition, by Elizabeth Whitmer.
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