At least I could smell coffee and... was that bacon? Never being one to let a hangover slow me down, I kicked my legs over the edge and went to stand. Immediately, I sat back down. The room was spinning. I wondered how I got to bed. Mel had to have helped me, I was in only my underwear.

I gave it another go, pushing myself to the bathroom. A little cold water would do the trick but, man, was I disoriented. The toilet, the sink, lean against the counter for a while, check.

Wandering into the kitchen area, in my boxers, and expecting to find Mel, I was shocked to see Moana busy at the stove. She turned toward me, finding an embarrassed half-naked man staring back.

"Rob, you're awake," she casually said. "Breakfast is almost ready."

"I'll... be right back," I stuttered. Walking back down the hall, I lost my balance again and bounced off the wall. Moana was there in a flash.

"Oh, Rob," she studied my face. "You don't look well. Why don't you lie back down? I'll bring you some coffee."

That sounded best. Laying back in the bed, I asked, "Where's Mel?"

"Oh, she's just gone out," Moana gave me a strange look but I thought nothing of it. As my head hit the pillow, my eyes closed, and the spinning stopped. I was back to sleep in seconds.

An hour later, I was awake again and still feeling like shit but I needed to get up and get moving. This time, I put on some pants before venturing out of the bedroom. Moana was still there which I found odd, sitting at the little dinette in the kitchen. I didn't see Mel either, and that seemed even odder. Aleki sat across from her mother and nodded at me passively.

"Good morning, number two," Moana smiled weakly. The hairs on the back of my neck were on end once again.

"Mel's not back yet?" I asked as I took a seat. Moana was already up and pouring my coffee.

"Have some coffee, Rob," she said seriously. "I'll reheat your eggs and ham and we'll talk."

Then I was really on edge. "Where is she, Moana?" I sternly asked.

"Patience," she replied. "You still don't look well." I was starting to feel sick.

Aleki put the plate in front of me and took her seat on my left still across from her mother. "Eat," she said. "We have much to discuss." I didn't want to play her game but I needed something in my stomach and she didn't wear the look of something catastrophic having occurred.

After a few bites and a few swigs, I set my fork down and looked her in the eye.

"She's gone, Rob," Moana stated without remorse. "Since last night as the celebration dictates." The woman paused, letting it sink in and my worst fears were realized.

"She left for the mountain-dwelling with Puko," she stated matter-of-factly.

I understood the implications. It was like my brain was protecting the rest of me, by not catching up.

"Following our customs, Mele and Puko will be together, alone for six days. No one is to disturb them. Their mana will be joined forever."

"Like hell, they will," I growled. "Tell me where the fuck my wife is, right now!"

Moana looked at Aleki. "Please return home." She ordered. When Aleki was out the door, Moana turned and stared at me. "I will explain this," she stated, sitting up taller in her chair.

"I will provide you with writings of your own culture so you can familiarize yourself with what Westerners observed when they arrived here," she took a breath. "I suggest you spend the time studying them."

"Fuck that, I don't care what others have done, only my wife!" I yelled at her. "If you think I'm going to sit here like a school kid and accept it, you're wrong. Last chance. Tell me where she is. The island isn't big enough that I won't find her and that bastard. Tell me now, so I can stop this... defiling."

"That would be unwise," she warned. "Some of our best-trained fighters are standing guard along the mountain path for all six days. They aren't there to keep you away, they are there to keep everyone away. It's imperative to the ritual."

"Great," was my well-thought-out response.

Moana looked at me for the first time with pity and she was off put. "If your cultural beliefs maintain that your wife has somehow become tainted, well, you are too late. Last night, Puko would have taken her, much strong; like animal, again according to our traditions. They consummated in such a manner as a gift to the gods, specifically Tane and the great first chief, Kane. Later, they may have laid together in a more friendly and sensual way to give praise and thanks for their mana."

I didn't even get to the end of her rant before running out the front door and vomiting.

Moana came out and handed me a cool wet cloth. As strong a woman as she was, she also looked afraid. It took me a minute to get myself under control.

"Why wouldn't she tell me? How could she?" I could barely speak as I wiped my face.

"Because of your cultural background," she answered without hesitation. "You would have interfered or tried to, as you have said. You feel ill today because we used a potion that the entire Polynesian island community has used for over a thousand years. Almost always, the women's mates take it willingly. They know what will happen and the drink ensures they will not offend the gods with their own weakness, their own jealousy."

It just kept getting worse. Here was Mel's mother, being burdened to evoke the worst day of my life, and doing it so calmly, so normally, as if we were talking about what a beautiful day it was.

"I can't believe you," I told her. "I won't believe or at least... accept it. Why are you here? Did you draw the short straw?" I could tell by her face she didn't comprehend my Western reference. This was hopeless.

I went back in and poured myself a glass of water, drank it, and poured another, then fell into my chair. Thinking about Mel fucking my childhood friend dredged up new emotions. That my gut reaction days ago was dead on and I'd suppressed them. Moana studied my face, patiently watching the emotions play across it.

"I know this must be hard for you," I wondered if she'd get my reference if I told her that was the understatement of a lifetime. "I always knew it would be and I told my daughter so."

"And yet she did it anyway," I interjected.

"Yes," she seemed perplexed. "I liken it to two people outside your Western culture falling in love, then being joined by your version of marriage, even though it goes against everything they were taught. Maybe, they even go through with the ceremony and try to hold true to it, all the while having no real comprehension of what they're doing.

"You see, Rob," she continued, "you aren't losing the love and caring - the mana - you share with Mele. What you're battling with is cultural differences. It's not your heart, but your head that hurts from the shock."

"That may be, Moana," I spoke up. "But we made promises in that culture. It seems to me she should have at least explained that it was in total conflict with her customs here. In fact, her greatest failure was concealing it from me. It's trickery and lying by omission. Those are her crimes. I mean why in hell did she marry me in the first place knowing this?"

For the first time, the strong woman before me looked down and... what was that? Guilt?

"She stole my ability to challenge her by conspiring with all of you to shut me out. To drug me to sleep so that I'm now the laughingstock of the village." Then I gave her time to reflect.

She was sharp, she didn't fully understand my Western references again, but she did grasp its implications.

"That's what I mean, Rob," she got on her soap box again. "Our customs are so very different as to appear an impassable chasm. Putting you to sleep, as one example, is a sign of love and great caring, not trickery as you put it. You have a strong mana with Mele, everyone in the village sees that and respects it. Putting you to sleep was the opposite of disrespect to us. We don't see this custom ritual as taking your wife away from you. We respect the strong mana between you, so the rest was meant to pause that mana - put any negative thoughts or mana to sleep, so the reconnection between Mele and Puko - their mana - could happen."

"It all sounds very convenient, Moana," I was getting tired of her stupid excuses. "Why not just leave the clueless husband back in Boston?"

She was thoughtful as she spoke. "That was an option I brought up with her before she decided to bring you. My daughter is young. She's smitten by her love for you and conflicted by her duty to our customs. I was sure it would have been better for her not to subject you to this. It's a burden outsiders should probably never have to face."

She changed direction. "Believe me, the people here respect our traditions but they respect you and yours as well. I can see your way of thinking; can you at least consider ours? Leaving you at your home was my idea, but Mele said no. She wanted to be as honest with you as possible. I told her you would likely see things much differently."

"Seeing my way of thinking is a helluva lot different than me accepting yours. I don't know," I was honest. "If I had to decide right now, it would be a resounding 'no.'

"I'm hoping this will help," she went on. "And that you'll see for yourself what I'm saying as you venture out into the village. Well before you arrived, our entire community was made aware of your Western culture, your customs, and your marriage ritual. Mele insisted on it. You'll find no one on this side of the island who would disrespect you or look at you with pity. In fact, they see you as a strong, brave man - going against your own beliefs to help Mele fulfill hers. You'll be treated as - how do you say - a folk hero. You're adding to the collective mana. Only you acting as the injured party could change their minds about that. They wish to celebrate the solstice with you."

If she felt that way, then the strong woman of wisdom that I'd admired, was a silly old fool. I wasn't planning on calling her out on that, or any retaliation just yet. I was a guest on their island, with no easy way off. So, I'd have to grieve in private and play the game until Mel returned and I could persuade her I needed to get away.

"So," I had one more question and something to leave her with. "I'm supposed to enjoy all that the island has to offer, for six days, and then just pretend with my wife that life is perfect when she finishes - strengthening - her mana with Jon. How is my mana stronger now that my wife has been with another man? Just take her back into my bed when she returns, is that the plan?"

Moana looked stricken. Shit, there was even more. I didn't think I could hold my rage in.

"She will return," she paused, "in six days, Rob. She will stay with you here, as husband and wife. The ritual lasts the entire solstice. That's twenty-eight days, starting this morning."

"No fucking way!" I blew up. "There's no way she's going to continue on with him and sleep here with me! Put a guest room together for her because I don't want her. You are all crazy if you think I'd tolerate that shit."

I had to catch my breath or pass out. I still felt very weak. She sat patiently but far more worried than when we'd started. Stupid indeed.

"You can leave now, Moana," I ordered her.

She stood up, her head high as if she'd done her duty. She came back from the sitting area with five large books and an envelope. My name was written on the front. It wasn't Mel's handwriting.

"These are the books that explain the tradition and the ritual Mele is performing," she took a long breath. "She loves you, not Puko. She's doing this for duty and obligation. Please remember that." With that, she left.

There was no way I'd let this abomination stand. I waited until I saw Moana turn towards her home and when she disappeared out of sight, I headed out.

The mountain path was easy to find. I mean, it was an island, and everything flowed from the high point to the sea on all sides. I was nearly in full sprint as I headed up about a half mile from the village where the path split off in three different directions. I climbed up and then stood on a large rock, trying to get the lay of the land upslope.

The middle path seemed the most logical. Another quarter mile and I knew I'd chosen wisely. There were two 'guards,' was the best I could describe them. Two very large men with spears stood conversing in their grass skirts, looking ridiculous but imposing.

"Ku!" one shouted as they saw me. I was pretty sure they meant 'stop'. I chose to ignore them and kept walking as if to pass them.

Both men immediately took up a defensive stance, blocking the path.

"I need to see my wife," I sternly told them. "Step aside."

They remained but looked at each other, confused. I'd stopped to address them but decided to start walking again.

"You go home," the one on the left barked.

"I won't go," I stated, my volume rising. "Now, move!"

Being within inches by then, the guy on the right shoved me, hard. Even though I felt it coming, I still landed on my ass. The guy was probably two-hundred-fifty pounds, mostly hard, bulky muscle.

I knew I had no chance to beat even one, let alone two of these guys, but I made my decision to try at that point. I wasn't going down without a fight and I'd be happy to wear my battle scars in front of the villagers for as long as I remained there.

I got up on one knee, pretending I'd been injured, then suddenly charged the guy who'd pushed me. He was more than ready, grabbing my shoulders and swinging me to the ground again. I landed at the feet of the other guy.

"Go home!" the observer looked down and ordered me more forcefully. I leapt straight up like a rocket, my fist connecting with his chin. His head went in the direction of the blow and he took one step backward due to the momentum, but that was it.

He threw the spear to one side and came at me. I was in trouble. I put my hands up instinctively, as he stepped in but I was a bit too late. Employing the same one-two punch I'd witnessed Jon use dozens of times on our old schoolyard, I staggered back. Even though my face hurt, I got the impression the man pulled his punches.

I was sitting on my ass, ready to get up and counter, but the other man had me by the shoulders, his hands full of my shirt, pulling me to my feet. I felt the air leave my lungs as he belted me in the midsection and I doubled over. Both men then walked me about twenty yards back the way I came.

"Go home," the second man said, a mix of pity and empathy.

Back at the house, I tended to my busted lip and the pain in my cheek. That was going to leave a nasty bruise. It was the best I could hope for under the circumstances. If they'd broken a rib or two; and smashed my face a bit more, I may have possibly gained some sympathy, hell empathy, from the other men this happened to. Time for a shower.

The water was calming and I needed to think. I felt like a guy who just walked away from a bad accident or train wreck and not necessarily from the fight. I forced myself to relax.

Feeling a little better, at least no longer dizzy, I went to the kitchen and ate the leftover breakfast food. Then I remembered that Mel and I had kept two bottles of strawberry wine and only drank one before we got into the sexual Olympics. Knowing that had been our last, made me very sad. The bottle was there on the wooden floor, next to the nightstand. Screw the glass.

I sat in the front room on the well-used sofa, off-handedly wondering if this was the house all the cuckolds before me, stayed at. Staring at the books and that note, I decided that the bottle needed to be polished off before I dug into them.

The message was from Jon. My wife didn't even have to guts to say something to me other than to write my name on his note. I would remember how much she loved me for a long time.

Rob,

I'm sorry to put you in this position, old friend. I can only imagine what you must be thinking and going through.

Mele and I are fully aware of the vows you both made and they matter, as much to me as to her. I will take great care of your most prized possession, Rob, because no matter how Western culture slices it, you do possess her, as she equally possesses you by those vows. We all understand that. In that one way, even as our cultures collide, they also run parallel. In our custom, Mele and my spirit possess one another.

I'll do everything humanly possible to maintain your respect and our friendship throughout this time. No, I haven't gone mad. When we return people will expect to see us together, pretty regularly, unfortunately. We will also be expected to copulate. Sorry, I can't think of an easier way to say that. We will not rub your nose in it, Rob. You have my word. On the twenty-eighth day, we will be together one last time as per our mandate. Then, never again.

I know you likely want to kill me right now and I don't blame you. While the three of us understand Western customs, only Mele and I and this village understand OUR culture. Moana and others will explain the mana solstice in detail. What I want you to know is that our decision to consummate this ritual wasn't taken lightly. We knew the risks but we also know that our customs, going back hundreds of years, dictate and mandate that we do this.

After Western intervention in Polynesia, the many islands very survival depended on it. This is a vital part of who we are. I'm counting on you to trust us, to take what I've said into account, and not do anything extreme. I'm asking even though I have no right, in your mind's eye, to listen to the village and let them help you. Know that none of the men view you as you'll be thinking. Many have been exactly where you are now and they take great pride in what they've done for the greater good of the village, their neighbors, and family.

Mele and I will see you in six days.

Jon

As much as I wanted to kill him, the stupid letter did seem sincere. I almost felt sympathy and fell for it. For about two seconds, anyway. I still wanted to kill him.

The books provided more of the same unimportant facts. They were scientific journals scribed by members of the Cook and Marshall expeditions, and then later, by men like Pukai, Haertig, and Sommers.

There was a plethora of observed sex, ritual-based and not. I found myself immersed in the solicitous behavior, and it helped keep me distracted. Some things, I'd observed, just as the original explorers. About one hundred yards from the docks seemed to be a communal bathing area. I'd found it odd that families - fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers - of all ages disrobed and just walked into the water. They usually conversed in a small circle as people might in a hot tub.

The rituals regarding their gods and their chieftains seemed bizarre but of course, these savages were being observed by Christian cultures.

And that was the rub. Larger islands, like Hawai'i, had become Westernized. Places with hotels, cell towers, and churches, and where the Westerners came to play. Most of Mel's island still spoke in a Hawaiian dialect. Their gods were the same. Some of their customs and rituals had melded with places like Samoa, Tongo, Fiji, and even New Zealand.

I found one of the books contained research on solstice rituals. The Kahuna (Priest) and Kapanu (council of elders) had begun the tradition. It was described in the journal exactly as it had been explained to me - to improve and protect individual and Aina (homeland) mana. I felt better thinking about going out in public until I could get off the island. The men who'd been put in my shoes over millennia were all quite proud. I found it unsettling that these warrior-looking men could be okay with their significant others simply being taken.

In short, older explorers and newer ones alike described tribes of people who majored in fucking and fighting and not much else.

The ritual, while a tribute to the god's virility, didn't encompass the individual. It wasn't a test or celebration of Jon's manhood, Mel's femininity, or the culmination of such, as in breeding. That didn't make me feel any better. When I envisioned what was taking place in that mountain dwelling, I pictured the two of them laughing at me while pounding each other in bed. Now presented with the fact that there could be remorse, made it even worse.

I didn't need or want their pity, sympathy, or condolences, as they bathed in their afterglow. The mere thought of it made me physically ill. Worst of all, I was but a pawn, a playing piece in a tradition of which I had little comprehension and by no means for which I had given permission.

The first thing, and foremost in my mind, was that both Mel and Jon fully understood Western culture, regardless of their backward tradition. No matter what else I thought about, even to the point of making excuses for them and what they'd done, I kept coming back to that one point. They knew better yet chose to continue, knowing what it would do to me and how I would react. It made all of their explanations and apologies ring hollow.

I began to look at it from a ten thousand-foot viewpoint. The best way to remove yourself from an unwanted situation is to retreat. Don't want to play the game? Take your playing piece off the board. It no longer mattered what my wife had done or to what degree. It didn't matter how much or how little she loved me - felt for me. My next actions or series of actions would dictate the outcome which would determine my life going forward.

I had to get off the island. With that resolve, I went to sleep.

I was awake and full of energy at 5:00 for the first time in a long time and I was starving. The right side of my face was swollen and a sick mixture of yellow and purple. My eye was also blackened and my ribs hurt. Making my way to the village's central hub and marketplace, I shouldn't have been amazed at how many people were out and about.

For the first time, I indulged myself in raw, grade AAA Ahi tuna for breakfast. The Poi tasted much better and enhanced the fish, spread thinly over it, versus eating it like porridge. I figured Moana would be showing up at the rental house about then to cook my breakfast and plead her case again.

I should have been paying more attention to the comings and goings in the harbor.

Later though, I found myself amongst the fishing boats. Jon's nephew, as he'd called him, was very interested and honored to show me the art of cleaning yellowfin and swordfish. Looking at my lip and face, he did give a questioning look but probed no further. Other men I'd encountered that morning also looked on in wonderment. After I'd mastered the job to the best of my ability, I was given a Tasmanian salmon for dinner.

I returned to our - I guess it was just mine, now - house and showered to get the smell of the fish off me. Then I wandered the low cliffs that overlooked the harbor, sitting to take in the awe-inspiring sights. I was shaken from my reverie when a small-framed woman sat next to me. It was Aleki.

"I wondered where you'd gotten off to," she said gleefully. "Mother was already whipping up a nice meal before she discovered you weren't there."

"Yeah," I replied. "Well, I hope she was disappointed. I couldn't take another round of her attempted brainwashing."

Aleki's smile was intoxicating, though sitting so close to a younger, souped-up version of my wife didn't make me feel any better. I turned fully toward her and her smile dissolved as she saw the state of my face.

"Oh my!" she exclaimed. "Rob, what happened to you?"

"You should see the other guy," I forced a laugh but it did nothing for her demeanor. "I had a little disagreement with those sissies your people call guards on the mountain path."

"Why?" she said curiously. "Mother told you not to go there."

"I'm sorry, Aleki," I shrugged, "your mother's traditions and ultimatums mean nothing to me."

"But the entire village will know that you defied the ritual," she seemed very worried. "Whatever support you may have had will be gone when word spreads. No one has ever done that. Do you have a death wish?"

"Perhaps. But I was damn sure not going to go quietly into the night while they were up there playing house. I don't know for how much longer but she is still my wife, we're still married, and I had to fight for it. The bruises will heal but I doubt our marriage will."

"My God, you have no idea what you've done. We need to make up a story about what happened to your face. What did you do all day, yesterday?" she inquired, changing the subject. "I didn't see you all day after I left."

"I spent the late afternoon and last night digging through her selected reading. I can't say it helped."

"I wouldn't suppose so," her smile and mood had taken a hit but she trudged forward. "After all, you were still in shock. I'm not sure anything except time could help you."

"I doubt time is my friend," I told her. "I need to get off this island so if you want to help me with my troubles then tell me how I do that."

"Ah, you missed your window of opportunity," the smile was back. "The ferry comes on Monday morning at eight o'clock, unless someone important, like you and Mele, comes."

Well, there went my escape plan. While I thought of what that meant, Aleki verbalized it.

"You'll at least have to talk to her," Aleki looked hopeful. I didn't share her optimism.

"I probably shouldn't," I said almost to myself.

"Why?" she inquired. "Mele's your wife, is she not? Aren't important decisions supposed to be agreed upon together?"

"Of course," I replied, "but she doesn't think it applies to her. She made her decisions... independently. Wait, actually, she made her decision communally, with everyone else but me. She lied on purpose and made a fool of me. Can't you see?"

Aleki sat reflecting. "I can see how it seems like that," she said. "I'm sure either Puko or Mother brought up the ritual four years ago when Mele came to see Father off to the afterlife. I don't know for sure because I never heard them but it seems logical." She seemed to choose her next words more carefully.

"In your world, in Christianity, wasn't one of the Bible's greatest men, the father of nations, asked to sacrifice his son for your God? He made that decision unilaterally, without his wife and family's knowledge."

"Interesting analogy," I spat, getting angry again. "Except, I don't care about Abraham or Kane or any other storybook character."

"Ah," she responded quickly, "but if tens of millions believe in Abraham, is it only a story? On over a thousand islands here, a million or more of my people believe in what Mele and Puko are doing. Mele had no choice. You must see that and that she was trying to protect you."

If only it were that simple. "Aleki, I think they were trying to protect themselves, not me.

"What can you tell me about the two of them," I had to know, "As children, growing up on the island?"

"Not much," she shrugged, seemingly eager to be able to answer a question that might help me, then realizing she couldn't. "She left for the United States when she was fourteen. I was five at the time." She reconsidered her answer.

"I can tell you about children in general, though." She watched for approval and I nodded.

"As children, we're exposed to many things Westerners aren't," she began. "For instance, the boys, well, if the wind blows too hard from the East, their appendages become engorged. The girls are curious because they don't have... one of those. Over a short time, the novelty wears off, I suppose like someone in your culture if they spend too much time at - what do you call them - oh, a Gentleman's Club."

I just looked at her shocked. Aleki was describing things so foreign to me and with such ease.

"Later," she continued, "after puberty, most of us begin experimenting. There aren't any rules against it and no certain age is a hard line in the sand. There is no such thing as coming of age. Everyone matures at their own pace but nearly all experience the inevitable."

"How did you get so smart?" It was a real question and I was enamored.

"I've read many books on Western culture, Rob," she seemed a bit irritated. "Your culture covers a very large portion of our world so, while we don't practice your culture here, we still need to learn about it in school. Father gave me many books to read including fiction.

"Anyway," she said. "That's the best I can do. I think that was the real question you wanted to know, wasn't it? I doubt that the two of them are on a traditional honeymoon, as you know it. They are likely very... familiar with each other."

I wished I wouldn't have asked in the first place.

Aleki joined me for salmon. We weren't graced with Moana's presence which suited me.

Traditions were contemplated as we sat in front of a small fire watching the sunset. I wasn't at all swayed by any of it but it was nice to talk to someone. Maybe it was a distraction. Aleki was a smart woman, easy on the eyes, and I felt a connection to her. Maybe it was hereditary, I didn't know.

"I know this is extremely difficult for you," she said with empathy. "Isn't there some way you can consider forgiveness, or grace, as it were?"

"I don't think I can," I honestly said. "This isn't something anyone, a non-islander, would ever consider in their wildest dreams. It's not a one-night drunken mistake with a good-looking stranger, certainly not an afternoon tryst with a flirting co-worker. This was well planned and I doubt there's any way to let go of that."

"So," it was a sad tone. "You're following a rainbow back to your home, hoping to find your dignity intact there."

When she left, I lay in bed rethinking. Was there any possible way for me to see past it? It would take a stronger man than me - or a weaker one. Mel had chosen her traditions and rituals over me in a heinous way. I felt betrayed and once that happened - at least to me - it was over.

Aleki kept me company for the next two days while Moana and the other family members kept their distance. It was a welcomed distraction. I expected that some of the villagers who saw me, probably suspected I'd been in a fight. I didn't know if Aleki ran interference or even talked to the guards on my behalf. Nonetheless, no one challenged me. On Thursday, as we walked the far end of the beach, well away from prying eyes, Aleki said, "You're not staying, are you?"

I could tell she knew - maybe even understood. "No," I said definitively.

"Come with me," she asked more than told. "I want to show you something."

The fairly large storage shed was on the outskirts of the village. There was a plethora of junk there. Aleki walked over to a few large shelves and pulled down some items covered in tarps. Unwrapping them, I saw framed canvases. She blew some dust from the pictures and handed one to me.

"This is... beautiful," I looked on, astounded. "Did you do that?"

She looked proudly at the art. There was an older woman in the painting, brushing out a young girl's hair, with the harbor in the background. I was no expert, but her technique seemed good.

Aleki showed me several more. Some were oil paint, like the first one, while others were in watercolor. "Aleki," I said. "These are incredible!"

"Thanks," she said and then turned away looking at the floor.

"I was very close with my father," she admitted. "Much closer than with my mother. When he died, I lost my... feeling, my desire, my..."

"Passion." I finished her sentence. She nodded and I watched a tear escape the corner of her eye. To a degree, she could feel some of what I felt.

I came in close and hugged her. Aleki rallied quickly, stuffing her sadness down inside. She looked up at me.

"When you leave," she proclaimed, "I want to go with you."

I was shocked. "Go with me?" I repeated. "To Boston?"

She nodded again and said 'Yes.'

Aleki had fourteen works in total, each as wonderful as the first. She'd captured the essence of island life perfectly. Instinctively, I scanned the room looking for more.

When I turned back, Aleki was right in front of me. I was surprised when she leaned in and kissed me on the lips. It was passionate and my reaction was to step back but I didn't. Aleki took it further by reaching for my cock and squeezing it. That was when I did pull back.

"I can't," I looked her in the eyes. "I'm still married. Probably not for long but I need to maintain my customs." She smiled, nodded, and let go.

We went through her pieces and she asked my opinion on each. I knew very little about art, especially paintings, but she seemed sincerely interested.

Aleki and I spent the rest of the day and evening chatting about everything but the elephant in the room. I told her about Boston and New York. I asked her which of her paintings she most loved and we talked about three that she should bring with her. She'd sneaked back into her mother's home and gotten us a bottle of wine to share. Aleki told me about her fond memories of her father who encouraged her to draw and later paint.

As she left my home, she turned to face me. "You're a good man, Rob," she exclaimed. "Please don't hurt my sister too much, any more than you have to. I know you were wronged but she's still family." I couldn't honestly offer her more than a slight nod.

Laying in bed, I finally decided what I was going to do.

Friday, I again woke to my mother-in-law making breakfast. Of course, I knew what she wanted. I could play the game or at least I'd convinced myself to until that damned ferry arrived on Monday. I'd tell Mel how badly she'd hurt me, how stupidly she'd underestimated every one of her actions. She could stay with her mom. Then, Sunday night, I'd let them both have it and leave them to it on Monday morning.

As Moana pried to discover how I was sitting with things, I flipped the script on her.

"Aleki showed me her art," I said nonchalantly. "It's very good."

Moana didn't quite know what to do with that. "Her father taught her... encouraged her even." I sensed the hostility.

"And you thought she had a different path to follow," it was a statement.

"She's a woman," Moana sighed. "A strong-headed woman at that, but still a woman of this community. She needed to get her head out of the clouds."

That pissed me off. I suppose mothers of all cultures could be a blessing or a curse. My scowl told her I didn't approve.

"Her works should be on display somewhere," I said. "Not in a dusty shed."

Moana was old and wise. She changed the subject. "How are you sailing, Rob? Are you excited to see your wife today?" My face surely showed the answer to that.

Moana realized she'd failed and fell back on a tradition that transcended cultures. "Please, Rob," she begged. "Don't hurt her. You're here for three months total. Don't waste them being angry and then making her hurt and angry with you. Let go. Don't push her into Puko's arms."

She paused, thinking. "You know you two could start your family here. You have plenty of time and all the privacy you'll need." She was suddenly talking with great anticipation.

Another bolt of lightning struck my overloaded mind. We had talked before the trip about her going off her birth control with the idea of starting a family. Realizing what she had been doing, why would she agree to the solstice ritual, knowing we wanted children? Unless the children she wants are his?

"Sure," I said, "when she's not too busy with Jon, or whatever you call him." I meant every bit of disrespect to their future elder. "Did you know we have spoken of children and whether she went off her birth control just before we left? The way you tell it, they're still together for another twenty-two days. She's certainly going to be able to start her family then, just not with me. Does the treachery get any worse, Moana?"

The look on her face was one of surprise that she did her damnedest to mask. Without missing a beat she continued.

"Rob," she breathed a heavy sigh. "Please don't. I've explained the ritual as best I can, in the only way I could. She said nothing to me about the medicine she uses or starting a family. I just thought you could, while you're here. She loves you! You'll see that tonight when she returns. We... all of us, have a great deal of confidence in you. If you still need some time, then let her know that but don't attack her love for you with words you might not be able to retract. She can stay with me for a few days."

"She can stay with you for exactly twenty-two days," I said with finality. "If you'll excuse me, have a good rest of your day. I have some things to do."

Mother had the good sense to know when her pleas were falling on deaf ears. She got up and gave a polite goodbye. Later, Aleki arrived and started right in.

"What did you say to Mother?" she harassed.

"Told her the truth," I stated. "She still thinks everything is going to go the way she and the others hope. I couldn't let her be deceived by her own silliness."

"I'm not sure that's a good strategy, Rob," she warned. "Whatever you are planning to do, make sure you do it in private with my sister. No need to unnecessarily anger the rest of the village. They wouldn't understand and you don't need enemies for three long days."

I promised her I'd be careful. I hadn't had a clear-cut plan of what to say or do. The confrontation organically played out, much differently.

I decided I wasn't going to be couped up in the house when they returned. That would make good theatre for them but not for me. I was wandering in the marketplace doing some last-minute shopping - some souvenirs for friends back in the States. The anticipation was thick in the air. It was easy to see that everyone knew the hour of their return was near. The pats on the back and hands on the shoulder were still given with empathy, not pity. I was thankful for that. The men at least, seemed to understand. Still, I had a pain in my gut to match the pains in my body, reeling at the thought that even the plans for our family had been smashed over these past days.

Finally, at about six, there was a commotion coming from the mountain road as a crowd gathered and I could see the two lovebirds heading our way. I paid no attention, still looking over some beads in one of the smaller pop-up tents. I didn't try to hide from them. Ignoring them was my goal.

It worked pretty well, too. Well, it almost worked. As the group of villagers walked past the pop-up, Mel and Jon didn't notice me. Someone in the group must have pointed out the fact that they'd just walked past me because everyone stopped, and Mel walked the twenty-five or so feet back to me.

"Rob?" she seemed suspicious and worried that I wasn't... what? Waiting for her with open arms in the street?

"Oh, hello," I deadpanned. "You're back." She only thought she was worried seconds before.

"Yes," she recovered quickly, "I've missed you so much." She opened her arms and took a step towards me but I turned my back on her.

"Wait outside," I ordered her, without overdoing the authority aspect. "I need to pay for these." The look she gave me was priceless but I didn't dwell on it, rather moving to the stunned cashier.

When I came out, villagers encircled the couple on three sides of the tent. They expectantly stared at me, waiting I guess for the happy reunion.

Jon had the most expectant look of them all. "Rob..." he started to say.

"Not now," I said. He knew what was on my mind when I looked him in the eye. "I have some more shopping to do. Maybe later." My eyes drifted from Jon to Mel. She was stricken.

Again, I turned my back on my wife as she simply stood there hurt and shocked. On some level, she must have considered what I did as one possible outcome because she chased after me. The others were also shocked by what was playing out and they held back.

"Rob, wait," she cried out. "Can we talk?" Mel came up behind me with Jon in tow. She held his hand, dragging him along. He didn't look pleased. When I stopped so did she, about ten or fifteen feet away. She didn't let go of Jon's hand and still, after so long a time, I think that may have hurt me more than anything she'd ever done. It sure felt that way just then. It was clear the hand-holding was some attempt for both of them. I saw it as a united front. It was a message. Even as she saw my eyes look at their hands, she didn't let go.

"Fine," I sighed deeply. Might as well get this over with.

"I'm sorry. We've..." she struggled with the words. We've... I've hurt you. I..."

"Bad way to begin, wife," I warned. "Sorry that I'm hurt but not sorry about what you've done. Anyway," I paused for effect. "You've got my curiosity up. What have you done to hurt me?"

Oddly, the question seemed to trip her up. The rapid eye movement spoke volumes as did her inability to formulate an answer. Just then, Aleki arrived, also stopping several feet away, gasping loudly as she saw what was unfolding.

"Because we've had... union," Mel finally said in a raspy voice as though someone had suctioned all the saliva out of her mouth. "Because we continue..." She thought better of her next words and just stood there, helpless.

"Let me help you out, dear." I jumped in sarcastically. I noticed Jon hadn't moved. "Cheating on our vows is the least of your crimes, although that deeply wounded me. Besides your cheating, you're a liar, a conniver, and a colluder. You've ultimately disrespected me and I'm sure deep down you know exactly how you've done that."

"Hold on there, Rob," Jon decided it was a good time to interfere and maybe assert his domain. "Don't talk to her like that. I know you're upset, man, but you're wrong. She loves you. Big respect and mana, Brah. No one, especially us, has taken anything from you." He extended his thumb and little finger in the universal sigh of Mahalo. He'd clearly been thinking about how he'd handle our reunion.

"Fuck your mana!" I was done with the conversation. "And fuck you, Brah!" The crowd had grown and were rooted to their spots, speechless and perplexed.

Jon moved forward as if he might hug the anger out of me. As he got close, I lost it and stepped in like he and Steve had taught me all those years ago.

I didn't telegraph my punch, either. They had both taught me that, too. I jabbed up into his jaw with everything I had in me. I heard a good crack and my hand immediately hurt like a sonofabitch. Some might have considered it a sucker punch. So what?

Jon - the great Puko - let out a little yelp, went down, and immediately rolled back toward me, on his ass, leaning on one arm in the sand. I'd known him and seen him in action many times before. I was sure he'd pop back up to his feet but he didn't.

Then a smile broke across his face, as he wiped his bloody lip. He spoke with difficulty through his teeth. "That feel good?" His tone was snide. He was playing the crowd. That was unexpected.

"Don't talk to me, asshole," I sneered at him. "We're at war - you and me!"

Jon slowly rose to his feet, standing to face me, his head up high and his chest puffed out like a peacock. His face looked to be in a race with his chest. I suddenly felt a hand grab my arm. My instinct was to pull away but I heard Aleki's voice.

"Come on, Rob," she commanded. "Right now."

I turned toward her frightened face and knew I needed to go with her. She literally dragged me away as villagers spoke in hushed tones pointing at me.

When we got to the docks, she stopped abruptly and turned to face me.

"What was that?" she hollered. "You've made a grave mistake, Rob."

Aleki explained to me that by declaring war against the village's god-man, I'd become open season for anyone who wanted to defend Jon's honor.

"Now," she said wildly, trying to think, "we've got to figure something out quickly because we don't have much time before, how you say, all hell breaks loose."

I sat with Aleki while we formulated the outline of a plan. Well, she outlined it for me and I listened but she knew better.

Not forty minutes later, Moana was making her way toward the docks and us. She looked like she had murder on her mind. She gave Aleki a filthy look as she got close and waved her entourage to stay back.

"Get yourself back to your house," she ordered me. "And talk to your wife and Puko. Straighten this out. You've got the entire village in an uproar!" She was breathing fire.

"I demand ho' o'ponopono Kupuna!" I told her sternly.

"You demand nothing!" she gave me right back. "Your wife is a blubbering mess and you are going to fix it, right now!"

As we'd discussed just before Moana arrived, I ran out toward the onlookers, many more who had gathered with the others in the last minute.

"Makemake au Ho' o'ponopono Kupuna." I screamed like a warrior to the people, looking them all in the eye as I turned to each repeating myself over and over. Moana stood there, staring at her daughter, ready to spit nails.

I'd quickly memorized what Aleki had taught me and I'd asked, maybe demanded, a hearing of my grievances in front of the elder council. Two hours later, we sat in a close circle around a large bonfire, with many of the villagers sitting in a concentric ring farther out.

I wasn't about to attack their traditions. Who was I to do that? Instead, I focused on the lies and deceptions that had been heaped upon me, even laying out how both were callously done just to get me to the island. I made it clear that I would have never left home had I known what they were planning.

I also made sure to explain that both Mel and Jon were multi-cultural, meaning that they, of all people, knew how I'd feel. Then I told them how I felt.

Jon sat proudly in the inner circle, his soon-to-be rightful place. Mel cried the entire time. I was way past caring what she thought. When I'd finished, I sat down in the sand next to Aleki. She held my hand as the elders discussed, either in a show of solidarity or to evoke some emotions in her sister, letting her know exactly what she'd done to me.

The main elder, I guessed, spoke up as they broke conference.

"Rob," he said. "Your grievance has been heard and accepted. What is it that you wish?"

Aleki prompted me to stand. "I wish," said as I cleared my throat. "I wish to return home."

"And may we assume that you wish to return home without Mele, your wife?"

I nodded, surprised that they'd so readily agreed. Then I remembered the important part.

"Excuse me," I addressed the entire council. "Not alone. I wish to have Aleki accompany me." There were sounds of shock or awe before I could finish. Mel looked at me like she didn't know me. Now she was getting it.

"Aleki, as most of you know, I think, has a talent," I stood my ground like a lawyer. "Her talent has been stifled - her mana taken from her by the death of her father. I humbly ask permission to help strengthen and restore her mana, to get back what she has lost. We both feel that her going to Boston with me can accomplish that. I give my word that she will be well cared for, that I will protect her." I all but ignored Mel.

The elder spokesman did not seem surprised by the request. Moana sat with the elders making her case in their own language.

"What is she saying?" I asked Aleki.

"She's pitching a fit," Aleki said with a sad smile, as though she was seeing her mother for who she was for the first time.

I cleared my throat. "I have one other request," I told them, standing tall. "Aleki will never take part in the solstice ritual. One family member is enough."

Jon leaped to his feet, upset and ready to intervene. The older man motioned for him to sit down.

The elders seemed to chastise Moana. Then the man turned to Aleki. "You want to do this?" he asked her, already knowing the answer.

Aleki stood proud and told them all, "Yes, I do."

"Granted," the man said. He looked back at me. "You will stay in my home, as my guest, until the ferry arrives. Aleki will gather your things for you."

That was the end of that. I ate and drank with his family and taught the elder's grandchildren how to play solitaire with an old deck of cards they had in a drawer. The two nights as the sun set on the island, the Elder named Akuma, which was akin to English for Adam, spoke of their rich traditions. He also explained how they had come to their decision. In short, his world was not aligned with the West, not back then, not now. He made me promise, on our new-found mana, that I would guard Aleki's safety with my life. I could tell by his eyes when he mentioned Mel that he knew we'd never reconcile.

Monday morning arrived and with it, a great deal of sadness for me. Sadness for what Mel and I had and how she so carelessly discarded it. She stood, once more, hand-in-hand with her lover near the dock as Aleki and I boarded the ferry. Fewer tears were shed by her that morning, I supposed, resigned to her fate and, perhaps, free to expand her relationship with her lover.

My new fate would begin with Aleki and I nicknamed her Alex on the ship, so the people I introduced her to wouldn't stumble trying to pronounce her name. We'd brought exactly three of her favorite paintings.

Alex and me? Well, those first six months were some of the best of my life. Within three days of our arrival home, we'd transformed our guest room into an artist's studio to give her something to do while I worked. My boss wasn't too happy that I'd short-changed my sabbatical, especially since they'd hired someone to cover my absence.

Because of the new hire, I negotiated a situation where I worked from home two days a week. That took a lot of pressure off Aleki as she began acclimating to a completely new environment.

On the weekends, I introduced Alex to the art scene. I was a novice myself but enlisted the help of some of my more experienced friends who took to Alex right away.

The art stores and galleries helped ignite Aleki's lost passion. On the third day of the second week, we'd returned home, I walked in the door to a very excited woman holding up a painting of the Boston skyline. She'd done it from our vantage point on the sixteenth floor of our condo. Like her other work, I found it spellbinding, the way she'd brought the city to life with her brush.

Alex had been staying on the sofa at night. That first month she was, like all of her fellow islanders, bound to remain celebate in order to strengthen the mana between Jon and her sister. I didn't expect us to have sex after the solstice but had to admit our relationship was advancing organically. Some nights, we talked after watching TV and both fell asleep there. It was reinvigorating to talk to someone about any and everything. We'd already done a lot of that on her island so I was pleasantly surprised that there were still things we hadn't covered.

Over that first month, I was a mess, despite the incredible company. I knew it and felt it, just below the surface, so having Aleki there was a godsend. We were more compatible in almost every way than Mel and I ever were.

On the final day of the solstice, Aleki attacked me the minute I arrived home. Her clothes were already missing. Every magical thing about that evening made me glad that we waited.

We spent hours that night getting well acquainted, in a Biblical sense. For someone who was just a month shy of her twentieth birthday, she sure knew what she was doing. We repeated the event every night that week and if I hadn't been so beat up from the street up, down below, we would have added to our streak.

All in all, it was a strange experience. Mel and I were toast. I mourned the relationship, the nine years, but not the loss. I think a psychologist would have found fault with that. At the same time, I did have that super-charged version of Mel in my house and bed. Without all the conflicting emotions, I could have easily declared it the best time of my life.

Beyond that, Aleki saved me. I could never understate that. She should have been given some kind of medal for keeping my mind off my troubles and focused on her. The way she kept my focus on her was done passively. She was the new kid on the block, she needed a guide, and that gave me a newfound sense of purpose. Our time together was carefree.

One of my friends from work had a relative who was a curator at The Museum of Fine Arts - Boston. I took Aleki there for a meet and greet, not a job interview, but an hour later, she had a job as an assistant. The curator came out with her and thanked me, then gave me the names of a few art galleries that might be interested in showing Aleki's work.

I'd given my solemn promise to keep her safe so I didn't want her making her way downtown all alone. She took the offered rides when I worked from home but otherwise, she insisted on taking an Uber.

There were plenty of times I still thought about Mel - on my commute to work or home - and while Alex was working in her makeshift studio. During those first confusing days, all I'd wanted was to exact my revenge, to get my pound of flesh. Oddly, the searing pain centered around a possible pregnancy diminished as I began to see it as more of a punishment to her. Regardless of her tradition, she knew what she'd have done to me. Did I leave too abruptly? Should I have stayed and found a way to humiliate them? I kept coming back to 'no'. Leaving her without giving her any opportunity to explain her actions away was the ultimate punishment, maybe a fitting counter.

Our first six months together flew by. Being with Alex, whom I now called her more often than by her true name, was drawing me in like a moth to the flame. Several times in the sixth month I considered asking her to marry me.

What stopped me from doing so was the fact that I was still married to her sister. As the first day of Autumn arrived, I noticed a change in Alex. She wasn't sad; we were too busy for that, but she was withdrawn, not unlike her sister was upon her return from the funeral. I asked her several times that week and she told me she was starting to become homesick but that we'd discuss it before week's end.

That put me on edge. I didn't want anything to endanger what we'd established and I looked up online how to get a quick divorce if that was what might be stymying her.

Saturday night after we made love, she went to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses. She looked ready to talk.

"Rob," she started after pouring, "it's time for me to go home." I thought I'd prepared myself for those words but I just sat there, caught up in how direct she was. She picked up on it.

"And I think I'm holding you back from living your life." She sat patiently waiting for my counter. She already knew me so much better than Mel ever had.

"I was under the impression that we were building a life together," I chose my words carefully. "Surely you feel the way I do."

There was no sigh, no looking away. She kept eye contact but I knew she was also choosing her words.

"My feelings for you are strong, yes," she hesitated just a moment. "Unlike my sister, though, I have no intention to hurt you."

"But your leaving will hurt me and I am living my life... with you" I sounded pathetic, I knew, but she was being so decisive and I'd expected a balanced conversation.

"I'll miss you exactly as much as you'll miss me," she stated, with little emotion. "I could even say that I love you. I know that my feelings for you are much deeper than Mele's ever were. But I don't belong here Rob, and I'd never be so selfish as to expect you to leave everything and join me in Vanuatu. One sister's mistake is by far enough."

The conversation wasn't going well at all. I panicked. "Please don't go!" I cried out. "I love you!" That got an unexpected response. She set down her glass and took mine, then embraced me tighter than she ever had.

"In a different place and time," she whispered tenderly, her lips brushing my ear, "it would be you and me against the world. But, Rob, my place isn't here and it never will be. I could never hurt you like my sister did and eventually, that's what would happen."

She had no idea what she was doing just then. My heart was constricting from lack of oxygen and the pain was unbearable.

Alex held me and rocked gently back and forth for several minutes until I was able to get myself under control.

"We can figure something out," I'd become desperate and wasn't listening to the meaning of her words. "Nothing is impossible... in love." I'd come up short there. Plenty was impossible in love as I'd recently experienced first-hand. She was right, damn it! As much as I wanted to will it not so, she was right.

"Shhh," she whispered again, realizing that I'd had an 'aha' moment. "Let's just hold each other."

Alex fell asleep shortly thereafter, likely relaxed at unburdening herself. I couldn't sleep. I wanted to scream - to lash out at something, mostly the entire Kealoha family. After two more glasses of wine and out of things to consider, I stumbled back to bed.

In the morning, over breakfast, Alex and I planned the details of the end of us. There was a strange calm in the room. Alex had sold two pieces of her art and used some of the money to buy plane tickets. I wondered how much her pieces sold for if she only used 'some'.

"We have the art exhibit in two weeks," she said. "I hope we can attend together but I'll understand if you don't want to. My flight leaves the following afternoon. My deepest desire is to remain your dear friend, for life, if possible."

She went into the bedroom and returned with an envelope. "I received a letter from Mother," she hesitated. "This was inside for you." She handed me a letter and I recognized the handwriting right off. "Do you want me here with you while you read it?"

I shook my head. I was in no shape to answer her. Reading a letter from Mel was the worst thing that could be heaped upon me that morning.

Rob,

For months I've tried to do this and failed. I can't find the words to convey what I want to say to you, so I've decided to just get it all out. I'm counting on the fact that after nine years together, you may be able to make sense of it all. I also hope, finally, that Aleki has helped reduce or remove the pain that I put on your heart.

While Puko and I were in solitude those first six days, he told me a story of when you were young and were jumped by some older kids. Later, after you and Aleki got on that ferry, he gave me more of the details, I think to help me understand what had happened.

I now believe that in those weeks and months leading up to our trip, I was like you and Puko, playing on the ice, unaware of what danger lurked around the corner. In my head, you were my life partner, and although I knew for a fact that you'd be angry, hurt, and all the other emotions, I did not doubt that we'd come out stronger in the end.

Mother started asking me questions the week before the solstice began, and that's when I started to notice those big mean kids coming our way. I explained our lives together, some of your upbringing, and our American customs. Mother looked at me when I finished, like a mother does, giving that 'You stupid girl' gaze. Then she simply said, "You should never have brought him here."

That's when those kids threatened me and made me give them the money. I fought with Mom that day, ferociously. I fought for us. I told her she didn't know you like I did. She didn't fight back, but I left her home feeling like she might know something I didn't. That night I attacked you, willing myself to believe that all would be okay.

Drugging you was hard. All the other countless men on the island had taken the 'medicine' of their own volition. You were being tricked and for the first time, I began to see that I may have made a huge mistake. But it was too late to turn back then. It was like you being brave and picking up that stick to help Puko.

All of that was my stupidity. My lack of vision. Then the six days happened. This will be hard to hear, Rob. Puko and I clicked. Just like when we were children. Physically, we really clicked, I don't want to make things worse by going into detail. Emotionally and mentally we were hitting a good wavelength too. We didn't spend every minute having sex.

On the fourth day, Puko sat with me on the high cliffs and made his case about what I should expect when we returned. At first, I thought he'd been talking and conspiring with my Mother. He hadn't but he agreed with her. Puko explained your childhood to me, the deceit, the hurt, and the hardship. He told me he thought our marriage had about a ten percent chance of survival. I got mad at him, telling him if he thought that, then he'd been very disingenuous about the ritual. He shrugged and told me that yes, he'd been selfish, but always wanted it to be me, and that he'd pick up the shattered pieces.

He was right, I was wrong. Mom was right, and I was foolish. What happened when we returned was everything he'd predicted, minus my sister leaving the island with you.

The thing is, I don't know how to say 'Sorry'. I'm not all that sorry, truth be told, and I know that's even harder on you. What I am sorry for, is the incredible hurt I put you through, and for not understanding my own marriage and husband well enough. I did you wrong in so many ways, through my ignorance.

I left my birth control pills at home when we came to the island. The plan was for us to start a family when the solstice ended and we had two months alone to enjoy the tropical setting and each other. Now, I'm pregnant with Puko's child. I don't think that happened on the mountain, but I do think it happened in the days after you left. He was good at consoling me, I'm only a little ashamed to say.

Rob, I won't ever be back. I intend to live my life here with Puko and our children. I want nothing of what we accumulated together. Please don't waste money on a divorce attorney. Just wait until the 366 th day and file the short doc for abandonment. I'll never fight it. As for you, well, you married a very naïve girl, oblivious to her heritage, her customs, and how they would clash with those promised by a wedding. You also married a shallow, self-centered woman. Please don't let that slow you down in living a good life, except to choose more carefully next time. You will always hold a place in my heart.

Mele

P.S. Thank you for taking care of my sister and showing her a new culture.

Reading Mel's half-assed explanation, I was only numb. That was when I realized we'd both been quite naïve but that there was real subterfuge underneath all of it.

While her words tried to soothe, they served to re-hurt all over again. My suspicions about her starting her family without me seemed to be confirmed and that hurt badly.

The rest of the day, I spent in self-reflection. Aleki's attention to me was bittersweet and she felt it. That carried on for a few days until I decided that I should give my attention to Alex before she was gone for good. Our last ten days together were so blissful that the night of the art exhibit, I decided to give it one last attempt.

"I wish you'd reconsider," I said suggestively. "Staying with me, that is."

That time she did let out a sigh. "Honestly, Rob, I have thought about it. So, let me turn things around. Would you stay on my island, happily ever after, If I asked?"

She blushed just a bit. "Minus Mele and Puko, of course."

It was tough to answer that honestly but I got the basic gist of what she was saying. In my silence, Aleki motioned around the room we were standing in, waving her hand outwardly.

"Look at these people," she began. "All this beautiful art, some created by the masters of their craft. Look at how many are staring at their phones. They're missing everything, not multi-tasking."

She asked for my phone and I unlocked it for her. She typed furiously then handed it back to me. On a Google search screen, she'd typed the exact phrase she'd taught me to demand an audience with the tribal council. Under it, on the screen, it showed the translation as "I like plant management". Point taken.

She reached for my hand. "If it were just the two of us, in a hut or the condo, maybe it would be an easy decision. Let's face it, though, we're from completely different cultures, something you know firsthand. It would never work, as hard as either of us tried.

"Now, there," she said, pointing to her boss, Cybil. "She's the kind of woman you should explore a life with."

I'd met her boss several times but she was a bit too artsy-fartsy for me. Still, I knew what she meant.

The next morning, Aleki and I made sweet love for probably the last time. Aleki, for a twenty-year-old, was far beyond her years in the art of intimacy. I would miss her for a very long time and told her that as I dropped her at her terminal.

"Will you write?" she asked. I told her I would and made her promise the same. "Do you have a message for my sister?" That one surprised me. I thought about it - for a nanosecond.

"No chance," I chuckled. "Goodbye, Aleki, thank you for your care. Safe travels."

"Goodbye, Rob."

That was when the grief hit me.

It took several weeks to climb out of my funk. I refused to see myself as some sort of victim, even if deep down, I knew I was. Slowly, I began to live my life again. I went back to the gym, rode the stationary while listening to the Eagles, "No More Cloudy Days". I began to eat right again except for a few nights out with guys from work.

Cybil and I didn't go anywhere. My initial impression of her was correct. When I told her the story of Mel and me over dinner, she didn't want to believe it but finally apologized after asking the art museum curator.

A month after we mutually decided not to see each other again, Cybil called me and asked if I might accompany a friend of hers, Martina, who was in town.

Martina and I hit it off right away, we spent a wonderful weekend together, and then, after a brief trip back to her home - an island in Nova Scotia - we spent another month, and then another. Then it was off to meet her parents and later mine.

I'd have to see where things would go. There was certainly no hurry and I would use what I'd learned. I'd properly vet her before things became too serious. At the same time, I'd write Aleki often. I wasn't going to ignore my feelings for her, regardless of her family ties.

Some who read this might be amateur or even professional astronomers. We did have a planetarium at my high school and I did take every class the school offered over my four years there. I loved the subject and really liked my teacher/ mentor.