Love Between Law and Life

Chapter 17: Beach Day!

            Florence hummed as she tapped her fingers on the steering wheel of her car, leaning over to see the house properly through the windshield. In the back seat, Kaleo squirmed silently, eager to get to the part of the day where he got to play in the sand. Florence gave a half-grin as Bobbie stepped out on the porch and waved her hand, jogging over to them.

            The detective was dressed in a short pants and loose jersey, her hair tied up without its braids and feet shielded by slippers. She looked nothing like the uptight woman solving cases and taking down bad guys with ease. She couldn’t help but notice how the usually graded down sides seemed to be growing out a little bit. Florence barely had chance to catch her bearings as she stepped out the car before Bobbie pulled her into a bear hug for a few seconds. Kaleo had already stolen a hug and was giggling as Bobbie messed up his hair with a grin.

            “I got the good stuff.” The psychic winked conspiratorially as she popped the trunk, Bobbie following her curiously and leaning over her shoulder. The detective barks out a loud laugh in surprise. The trunk was filled with a mix of homecooked food smelling strongly despite their tight seals and  probably a little too much store-bought snacks. Bobbie shook her head and grabbed as much bags as she could, taking the most weight with the least amount of effort.

            Kaleo was waiting for them patiently, already talking about his day as they shuffled inside. Florence handed him the duffle bag she usually kept his beach toys in, chuckling as he shuffled through it with the most serious face. The place felt lighter than the last time she was here. The change was major enough to notice, it was like Bobbie’s pleasant happiness was finally making its way into the rooms.

            It was visible as well, in the way afghans were thrown over the couches and the coffee table had a neatly placed pad of paper and cup of pens and pencils that were definitely not there the last time she was over. The curtains had been changed to something lighter and tied up, the windows open to let a little sunlight in. Even Kaleo seemed to sense the ease of the house, looking more relaxed here than the times he’d spent at Captain Akamu’s house.

            While the door to the study was closed this time, Florence could feel a sense of… finality coming from it. She couldn’t see it but she had a good feeling that the mess of papers and tacked up pictures were cleaned out and stuffed into boxes. It felt – cleaner? – much better than the last time she was here but it felt best not to mention it.

            The two adults shuffled into the kitchen, hefting the bags onto the kitchen counter. Florence took a few seconds to listen to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore loudly through the open doors leading to the lanai. Bobbie busies herself, sorting through the bag with child-like curiosity. “Thank you for this.”

            “It was all my pleasure.” The detective gives her one of the brightest smiles she’s seen to this day, looking downright mischievous as she holds up the container filled with fried chicken. “Any idea when Leo and Kahula are coming over?”

            “About another hour, it was last minute so I’m sure they’re freaking out on what to bring.” They’d ended up both voting to invite the two other members of what was slowly becoming some sort of rag tag family at the last minute for the beach lime. It just seemed appropriate to let all of them have a time off, especially since these last few weeks seemed a little to stressful.

            “Come on, let’s set some of this up, can’t have the kid playing on an empty stomach.”

            “Well look at you, either you’re somehow catching my motherly harassment hormones, or you just want food.” Florence huffs as she takes the offered plates, clearing some space on the now overly crowed table.

            “I’m leaning more to the latter, you can never go wrong with food… also this smells really good.”

            After taking the pamphlet from the centre, Bobbie and Florence hadn’t bother to go further. They’d simply asked about the session and chose to do some regrouping and thinking over. This… sort of made sense, but it took some time to convince Bobbie to take the slow way around rather than rushing in and spooking the guy, especially considering they weren’t sure it this was really their guy.

            The psychic made clear that one of every pair of victims that reports of some sort of illness, it didn’t matter if it was physical or not. The main thing was that each one of them were buried or found with another who acted at a caretaker, it could be significant other, friend or family. That couldn’t be coincidence at this point, especially since this had practically fallen in their laps now. Coupled with every vision that Florence has had, it was like the puzzle pieces were finally coming together.

A session to help the support of the affected? It was possible that all of the victims had attended this is somehow got on the wrong side of someone. The only problem was that this weekly session was completely anonymous which meant that they had no chance of getting a list of attendees and assigned talkers. They could with Bobbie’s badge, but it would both be a breach of confidentiality and Florence was sort of against and… it would take far to long.

The next best idea she had was to actually attend the sessions, but the detective was a little against it. Not that she could blame her, after all, people were losing their loved ones because of this so that plan was still up to discussion. She seemed to be making headway with her debate however, as she was the one best suited with her abilities to pick up the energy of the room or even get visions.

Florence focused on the present, taking in the playful banter that had somehow started in the short time she was distracted. Bobbie and Kaleo were simultaneously taking apart their meals while arguing about the best superpower they could have and which kind of suit they’d wear. It was silly and endearing all at once and Florence couldn’t help laughing.

“Ladies and gentleman, the real MVPs of the party has finally arrived!” Kahula waved the case of the drinks in their hands, visibly straining but determined to strut in like they owned the place with the biggest grin. Leo grunted behind them, Bobbie rushing over to help him with the larger box. Florence took the case from Kahula just in time for them to pick Kaleo up off the ground for a hug.

“Come on people, lets get this beach day started!” Leo huffed,  holding his back like an old man. He looked a little disgruntled at the ease Bobbie was holding the box but shrugged his shoulders and carried on, less work for him. The detective snorts and shakes her head, following him out to the lanai. Kahula is already distracted by Kaleo giving her all the details of the day so far and the last thing Florence needs right now is to actually hear the ammo that usually ended up in Leo’s rather popular book.

            The psychic grabs a couple of bags and walks out onto the lanai, instantly hit with the smell of the sea and the significantly cooler breeze despite the sun. Leo and Bobbie were chattering about what Florence faintly picked up as the semantics of a movie while the angsty young adult sorted through the drinks in the box onto the table and Bobbie set up the surprisingly new grill.

            “Both of you are totally wrong.” She interrupts as she finally translate the fact that they’re both speaking in english and about an animated movie no less. “A ship that big should have shattered those shutters the moment they tried that. I mean, they were trying to hold up a battle cruiser.”

            “I disown that!” Bobbie raised her hand holding the oil brush, Leo nodding his head in solid agreement. “They could have never held it up yes, but that’s why they were guiding to the ground.”

            “For the love of – are you all have this argument again?” Kahula looked physically pained as they toted a giggling Kaleo on their back. the trio turned to face them like a bunch of startled cats. “I’ve had this argument with Leo a million times, and I refuse to have it today.”

            “You heard them, chop chop!” Florence, a little to pleased to put an end to the argument she may have accidently set fire to, darts back inside to grab the las bag of snacks and prepare a plate of food for the newcomers. “Any plans for today?”

            “Grill, drinks, play.” Bobbie was unhelpful as she sets out bowl of pre-cut and cleaned meat. “I have a volleyball somewhere around here, the net might not be up to standard but it’s still usable.”

            “I’m gonna wet my feet, anyone want to come?” Florence takes Kaleo’s hand, chuckling as the three of her fellow ‘beach limers’ raised their hands to join. Bobbie raised an eyebrow at the two only halfway through their plates, laughing as they look at each other before slowly put their hands back down. “Meet me when you guys are done, and take your time. The last thing we need is to carry you to the hospital ‘cause you ate to fast.”

            Bobbie really felt the breeze for the first time. She’d been here at the edge of the water many time, but never once had she felt alive. She always came to just the point where the water ended on the sand, feeling like she was standing on a precipice, the edge of where she was alive… and Elliot stood on the other side. It was like a clear line of where she lived and where she could never thread.

            But now, as she watched Kaleo and Florence step unhesitant into the water, she knew she could. She could follow, into a world were the sand sunk beneath her feet and the warm water flowed around her ankles. The sea never seemed to blue, like the colour was finally being filled in like the laugher reaching her ears.

            Florence stood next to her son, but her gaze was on the detective like she knew, and she was willing to wait patiently until she was ready. Honestly, she really wouldn’t be surprised if they did really understand how she felt. Bobbie could feel any second thoughts fall and break like the waves on the shore, her feet moving before she could fully contemplate the move.

            “I found a shell, it’s kinda funny looking.” Kaleo held up his prize to her as soon as she was in listening range, Florence smiling at her unconditionally. Bobbie squatted down to take a better look, unbothered by the way the water soaked into the end of her short pants easily.

            “That’s because I think it’s a conch shell.” And Bobbie could tell the kid already knew that, but it surprised her just how smart he was, he gave her a conversation starter and looked a little too delighted that she took it. Florence was holding out on her with this kid.

            “Anybody up for a walk?” Florence gestured to the empty stretch of beach. Bobbie was suddenly glad that, like her, her neighbours were more of the indoor type or ‘work all week’ type as it meant they’d have the entire place to themselves for the day. They made a trek to almost half the stretch with Florence acting as their common-sense filter as they flited back and forth between the edge of the water and where the sand melted into dirt. Eventually they had to walk back as both Bobbie’s and Kaleo’s hands were a little to full of colourful rocks and shells.

            “Just in time people!” Leo greeted them, tossing an old ball at the psychic, she caught it with a raised eyebrow. Bobbie tilted her head behind the bookstore assistant to see Kahula stringing back together an old plastic poled net. “Hope you don’t mind, we raided your house.”

            “Wasn’t so much raiding considering this stuff was in the first cupboard we looked in.” Kahula called, chortling as Florence took the opportunity of Leo’s distraction to nail him in the stomach with the volleyball. He shot her the most betrayed and disgruntled look that Bobbie had come to learn as a sarcastic ‘Oh mother, why have you done me ill.’ Florence looked innocent as ever as the ball rolled back to her, trading it to Kaleo for the shells he had in his hands.

            “It’s not a problem either way, I most likely wouldn’t have remembered where it was anyway.” Bobbie shrugged, these kids were trustworthy, she didn’t mind, and it was not like she had anything to hide considering this wasn’t really her house and she didn’t use most of it.

            “Well…” Kahula finally got to their feet, dusting off the sand on their knees. “Since we all ate, who’s up for a game of volleyball?”

            The two workers didn’t wait for confirmations, easily choosing an open place to set up the net. Bobbie couldn’t help but laugh at the antics Leo went through to draw a rough line for a ‘field’. She did cringe however, as the ball was tossed in her hands, Florence nodding her head towards the net with a grin. “I… I -ah- don’t know how to play.”

            “Seriously?” The psychic shot her a surprised looked before it melted into understanding. She clapped her hands loudly to pull all of them in a rough circle around her. “Alright! Lowells against the psychopaths. Let’s show the haole how the game is played.”

            “Hey, we have volleyball, I’ve just never had the chance to play it.” Bobbie protested, “I’m more of a soccer gal.”

            “And I resent the term psychopath.” Kahula raised her finger with an expression that promised pain and suffering. “If you get spiked, I’ll call it an accident.”

            “You’ve got to spike me first.” Florence grinned back with the same heat, already taking the ball back from Bobbie.

            Bobbie learned quite quickly what a spike was and the fact that her friends were absolutely vicious when it came to sports. Yes, that included Kaleo who skilfully used his speed and smaller size to weave around his mother to make sure she could get the ball to strike. Florence… Florence was absolutely merciless when it came to returning the ball.

            Kahula gave as good as they got but tended to use strategy more than strength which led to missing the ball more often than not. Leo was just as competitive as the psychic and it was actually quite exciting to watch the two of them go at it. Eventually Kaleo was too tired to do much more than lay in the sand, eager to play but not quite having the energy to keep up with the older folks.

            Bobbie shook her hands frantically against playing when they turned to her, a little weary about the kind of bruises she’d be wearing for the next month if she went up against them. It’s not like she had a choice however as Florence pulled the dirty card and got her kid to ask her excitedly. The world would probably be ending the day she told that kid no for something like this.

            She wasn’t as bad as she expected… or that was what she thought. They went easy on her until the first handful of spikes, after that she found herself shielding her head with her hands while her back was turned. Kaleo tried to shout helpful things from his view from a seat by the lanai but there was only so much the detective could do when a ball was coming at her face with the force of a car.

            Eventually they called it quits when Bobbie eventually gave up and took residence in the sand, her front pressed close to the hot grains as she called mercy. Yea… mercy wasn’t something her friends knew because next thing she knew, Kahula called ‘dogpile’ and then she was buried under limbs and laughter. Florence did nothing to help except stretching out a hand to pull her up when they finally got off her. Bobbie growled and took the hand, not giving her a chance to figure out her plan as she pulled her down as well, rolling to drape herself on the once clean psychic.

             She was bombarded by yelps and strong words of protest before it ended in another dogpile, this time led by a vengeful Kahula. Finally, they managed to get to their feet, dusting off sand from everywhere. Leo called grill, excitedly pulling Kahula with him as he darted to the table.  Grilling was amazing, it was much more fun when there were others present to enjoy the food.

            They all settled by the chairs, all of them in varying states of sandy and tired. Drinks and plates were passed around, Bobbie standing next to Leo as she showed him how she usually did the grill. He was pretty invested, taking over for easily. Kahula was busy sorting through the shells on the table with Kaleo, picking out which ones would be the best to use of they ever got a tank for the bookstore.

            “I think it would be a good idea.” Bobbie leaned over the chair towards Florence, taking in the amicable atmosphere with a soft smile. The house was so lively for the first time since she came to the island. The psychic shot her a contemplative look. “I like the tank but one: we sell books, paper and water usually don’t go well together and two: cleanings gonna be a pain.”

            “True, but it looks like me might not have a say anyway if the way they’re going at it is any indication.”

            “Thank you, detective, the last thing I needed to hear was that all my kids are rebelling against me.” She groan, huffed as she found sand behind her ears. Florence leans over her seat, shaking out her hair for anymore tiny grains that might’ve gotten stuck. Bobbie couldn’t help but laugh at the spiky look the dry strands adopted as she pulled back, the white locks making her look more like a comic book evil scientist than a bookstore owner.

            “She cannot talk!” Leo called from where he was setting out food in plates. “Bobbie has been labelled our secondary mom, all in favour?”

            “Here.” Kahula and Kaleo raised their hands before the detective could protest. She shot Florence a small ‘help me’ look but the psychic merely shrugs and sends back a ‘nope, the kids have decided, don’t pull me in this.’

            “Fine, then as first order as secondary mom, all of you are to eat and wait a while before you go in the water.”

            “Aye aye!” Bobbie rolled her eyes and accepted the plate Leo handed her. Today was amazing and she wouldn’t trade it for anything.