Preachers' Sons 2: The Nineties - 3. Thanksgiving/Reunion

David let out a slow whistle of admiration, “Yours.” He nodded looking at the new Rover. “Should I take a picture of it to show Dad?”

“Absolutely,” I nodded and saw Elias’ frown. “That was why we got it! To show your parents and my father they were wrong.” I waved at the Rover. “Take a lot of pictures. Don’t shy away from it now.” I was taunting him. I knew I was wrong, “I’m sorry, but his father’s call hurt him and he’s rightfully lashing out.”

David chuckled slapping Elias on the arm, “Count me in for helping you do that.”

“I do it, too.” I admitted. “I film a lot of Hawai’i to show my mother knowing my father will see it and hopefully see he could be wrong about us.”

“There isn’t anything wrong with that,” David said and turned as a horn blew behind us. We were being asked to hurry up because others needed to do what we were.

“Let’s get you home,” Elias said happily.

It was getting very busy at our home. Chogan wanted to see everything. He was steady on those legs. Not really tottling, but almost running. Right now J.J. fascinated him. They were cousins.

“You’ve got a beautiful home,” David commented looking at the beach far out the back door. It was still raining.

Leia looked at the interior and frowned, “Something’s different.”

“It’s the same,” David argued. “The same as last time.”

I grinned, “She’s right. We did change something.” I pointed at Chogan who was running about touching everything he could reach.

Leia nodded seeing the change, “You raised the floor!”

I smiled nodding, “We did! Very good.” I took J.J. from his carrier and held him lower so Chogan could see him better. “The lowered floor was great...before we got J.J.. He’ll be doing what his cousin is doing soon, and we didn’t want him to fall.”

“What wood is it?” David asked stomping on it. “It’s dark stained.”

“It’s Niu or coconut palm,” he thumbed at the beach. “We’re so close to the water...” he laughed, “and it rains so much. This wood is resistant to the saltwater. It’s more expensive because it takes so long to grow...”

“It makes sense,” David waved to the outside and the many palm trees and the rain. “They survive hurricanes and everything else.”

“Now,” I said smiling. “Be the first to sample my new Tea Soda!”

“Oh! I love the raspberry!” Leia claimed excitedly.

I chuckled, “I have those, too. I have a new one.” I went to the mini-fridge below the island counter. I took out several bottles.

“You don’t do cans?” David asked taking a bottle. He read the labeling, “Eric’s Hawai’ian Tea Soda?” He looked at the liquid inside. “It’s kind of yellow.”

I shook my head, “The metal changes the taste. The bottles are easy to clean and reuse...”

“If he gets them back,” Elias said and did the tipping and opened the bottle with a “pop.” “He’s selling these by the thousands every week. I see students with a new bottle every day!”

David nodded, “A hundred students, spending two dollars every day, times four a month! You must be really raking it in!”

“And the other stores around here that sell it,” Elias agreed. “He’s selling on the other islands.”

“Honolulu is tough,” I admitted. “I’m having to again hire more employees and expand production.”

“He’s selling them in the millions there!” Elias bragged.

“You’re a millionaire!” Leia stated.

Then the phone rang. I looked at the identification, “It’s your mother or father.” I told Elias.

Elias frowned, “He can’t stand not knowing if they have another grandchild or not.” He went to the phone to pick up the phone.

David looked at his watch, “What time is it here? Nine-thirty? It’s before dawn in Charleston.” He went to the phone, “Can I answer it?”

Elias shrugged and waved him on, “Go on.”

David picked the phone up and answered, “Hello?” You didn’t need to hear the other side. David nodded, “No, it’s me David. Your number two son.” Elias pointed to the base at a button which David nodded and touched the button. We all heard Joy’s voice.

“You’re at Elias’s?” Joy asked quietly. Almost a whisper.

“It’s very early there, isn’t it?” David asked. “You don’t want to wake up dad.”

She hesitated slightly, “I just want to know if I have another grandchild.”

Elias nodded, “Yes. The biological connection is irrelevant. I have a son and Eric has a son. We have a son.”

“Elias,” Joy began.

“His name is Justin Jonas Mitchell,” I said, and I hurt for her. “That big house must feel very empty.” We heard her cry quietly. “Jonathan is gone now.”

“Their father won’t accept many things,” Joy said sadly. “This house was to have many voices and noise. Grandchildren was to be here.”

“It can be,” I said. “Your eldest is head of a department in Hawai’i. He has a child. You second child has a son who is part of the Nanti tribe in Peru. Someone needs to compromise to get those voices to that house.”

“One son speaks Arawakan as well as English,” David said looking at Chogan. “We didn’t leave you. Dad wouldn’t allow us in. We went out in the world and became a part of it. Dad didn’t.”

“Does the father of this child matter?” I asked. “If Elias is the father or I am the father? Hasn’t enough time been wasted?”

“No,” Joy admitted. “Understand the generation your father was raised...”

“The next generation has been born, Mom,” David stated. “If you want to be a part of their lives, you have to let them in.”

“You won’t make us change our minds,” Elias said. “Dad’s approach is wrong.”

“He’ll never agree to that,” Joy moaned sadly.

“You’ve got two more sons,” David reasoned. “Steven will follow the rules and Jonathan...”

“You decide,” Elias said

“This isn’t what I want,” Joy admitted.

“Then don’t let it happen,” I said simply and shrugged. “It’s interesting that the two having the most problem with this are both preachers.”

“Eric’s right,” Elias chuckled. “This is another situation to ask, what would Jesus do?”

“You need to talk with my mother,” I suggested. “She can share pictures and video of this grandchild.”

“I have to go,” Joy hissed in a whisper and hung up.

“The vale is being torn,” Elias grinned.

“It’s taken a decade,” David grumbled.

I waved at Leia, “Why would it take so long. Your wife is a lovely person!”

“She’s not us,” David argued.

“Nonsense,” I said. “So, she’s from South America. She’s Human. The people of South America arrived in South America thirty-five thousand years ago, having crossed the same land bridge the natives in North America crossed from what is Russia to what’s now Alaska. They just kept going! We all come from Africa! I studied it in history class. Otherwise, you couldn’t mate!” The truth was, Leia was just a little darker than a Caucasian person. She had a good tan. She was beautiful.

“Thank you,” Leia nodded to me. “You three are just a bit too white.” She grinned, “Though Elias and Eric had good tans, but need more.”

“Hell,” David muttered. “We’re all merging.” He shrugged. He looked at Chogan. “We need to get him to bed.”

Leia nodded, “It’s way past his bedtime.”

“And yours,” Elias nodded.

Saturday morning was very chaotic and noisy. Not because of Chogan. Though he was noisy, but two brothers that got along and became little boys! Boisterous laughter and loud voices, Chogan on sturdy legs running everywhere. The adults were speaking three languages. English, Spanish and Arawakan. Arawakan was spoken to Chogan as Leia and David were speaking instructions to the energetic little boy. I was feeling left out. I spoke a little Spanish from High School and taught by Elias, but I couldn’t know Arawakan until taught.

Leia sat on a tall stool at the island drinking my “morning blend.” She drank a little more and smiled at me, “This is delicious.” She looked puzzled, “You offered us some cold coffee.” She waved at my tall glass with coffee still in it. “You drink cold coffee.”

“I always have and always will,” I waved at the large coffee maker. “This baby makes hot coffee, cold coffee and espresso.” I shrugged, “I like coffee, but I prefer it cold. That Ninja was Elias’ gift to me a few years ago.”

“You have the coffee to put in the maker,” she nodded and her eye was still on Chogan who, at the moment, was on the floor with a toy truck. “You two have a beautiful home on the beach in Hawai’i.”

“You’re returning to Peru,” I said sensing something else. “I’ve never been but hope to when you are there.”

Leia nodded, “David’s residency ends next year. Will be returning after that.” She sighed, “I want to but...” she paused looking guilty. “I’ve gotten accustomed to life here.” She shrugged.

“You’ll miss it,” I offered.

She chuckled, “Of course, I will. I was born in a hut with no walls. A thatched roof and no real privacy.” She waved at the coffee maker, “No plumbing and no electricity.”

I had seen pictures of villages and knew what she was talking about...from pictures! “Yet, you went to school in the United States for nursing.”

“I did,” she agreed. “I learned English to do that. I was offered a scholarship to.” She pointed at David, “He pushed me to do that.”

“You fell in love?” I asked.

“Eventually,” she laughed lightly, “I wasn’t even a teenager when we met. His father came to our village often to minister. David was only thirteen but seemed to like me. He kept coming back! He would tell me to listen to the nuns and learn all I could. So, I did. I got the scholarship because I was a Nanti native. He came to the United States to become a doctor, as you know.”

I nodded, “But you’ve done a good job. David raves about you!”

“I hope to,” she agreed. ‘He wants to bring medicine to the Nanti, and I support that.”

“How far out of Lima is the Nanti?” I asked.

“My tribe was in the foothills of the mountains,” Leia explained. “Pucallpa is closer.” She smiled, “The people that came to help us...Catholic and Baptist had this...” she thought for a word, “superiority. They were helping we poor uninformed natives. Except David. He treated me and the others like people.” She laughed lightly, “I was promised to a young man in a neighboring village. David challenged him, saying he loved me. I thought he was crazy.”

“How old were you?” I asked.

“I was thirteen,” Leia smiled. “David was sixteen.”

“It was a physical challenge?” I asked.

“Yes,” Leia nodded. “David lost the challenge, but he won me.” She shrugged. “Marriage was about who we brought to the village. In David’s case, medicine.” She looked at the house, “I’ll miss many things, such as air conditioning.”

I laughed, “You are practically on the equator!”

“Just below it,” Leia agreed. “I’m talking about a set temperature. It doesn’t have to be cool, just at the same temperature! When I moved to the United States, I thought I would freeze!” She waved at David, “He’s always hot, so it is always cold in our home. The hospitals were cold. Our apartment was cold. It took a while for me to get used to it. I don’t know if I will survive!”

“You’re not cold now, are you?” I asked worried. “The air conditioning is set at seventy-five.”

“No,” Leia answered. “It’s constant.”

“We often just open the sliding doors...” I waved at the windows and doors beyond which was the beach.

“It’s fine,” Leia assured. “I’ll just have to readjust.”

Then J.J. woke up and started crying and at the same time the oven timer went off.

“I’ll get J.J.,” Elias said and ran off.

“I guess I get the breakfast casserole,” I shrugged. “I don’t mind not changing J.J..”

“It smells good!” David said happily grabbing Chogan up.

I took the long glass baking pans out and put them on the counter, “You know Ely is basically a vegetarian.” I took the foil off and the steam filled the air. “He eats fish. This has Ahi, or tuna, cheese, scrambled eggs, onions, pineapple, mangos...”

“Very Hawai’ian!” Elias said loudly from our bedroom. “It’s very good!”

“And that red salt?” David asked hopefully.

I chuckled as I nodded, “Flavored with Alaea, yes. No home in Hawai’i would be without it.”

“It’s made by volcanoes?” Leia asked.

“Lava and the ocean,” Elias came in the room with J.J.. He looked outside through the glass doors. “It’s not raining now. We should be fine. We’re going to Mike’s and Brandi’s for her birthday.”

I shook my head, “I’ve done the math. She’s already thirty. She’s turning thirty-one.”

Elias shrugged, “So? She’s turning thirty again.”

We arrived at the house where Mike and Brandi lived and were surprised at the guest, or rather guests. We knew Thomas, Mike’s brother might be there. We were surprised at Sharon Brooks, Brandi’s roommate we met when arriving in Hilo! We were surprised by the man with her.

“A fiancé!?” I asked hugging Sharon.

“Yes!” Sharon nodded laughing. “We do that in New York.” She pulled the man closer, “This is Wayne Berger, attorney at law in Manhattan.”

The man wasn’t good enough for me yet. He wasn’t an ugly man. In his late thirties, brown hair that still remained on the sides of his head. Male pattern baldness was everywhere. He would have to be careful with his food intake as he liked to eat. He wasn’t fat. I could tell he had been heavier in the past. It showed in his face. He was maybe six feet tall. He studied. He wasn’t an athlete.

“You’re here for the week?” Elias asked holding J.J.. “You’re here for Thanksgiving?”

Sharon frowned, “His family was insisting we go there for Thanksgiving...”

“And her family was insisting on going there for the holiday,” Wayne added.

“I told them we were going to my Hawai’ian family for the holiday,” Sharon added. “So, here we are!”

“Then you have to come to our house for Thanksgiving!” I insisted.

Sharon looked at Wayne, “We know we should have let you know. We don’t want to impose...”

“Impose!?” I balked. “You said it, we’re family! You were there when we said our vows! You were in the wedding! You have to come! I’m making plenty! I’ve got two turkeys, so no one is doing without.”

Brandi smiled, “You have to come. They have a beautiful house on the beach!”

Sharon walked toward Elias, “I’ve got to see this little guy.” She touched Elias’ arm near the baby. “After I wash my hands.”

Brandi smiled and confessed, “I’ve told her all of what you told me. I hope you don’t mind.” She handed Sharon a small sheet from her pack of sanitary wipes. “These are good for a quick cleaning.”

Sharon used it and took J.J. carefully, “He’s beautiful!”

I grinned, “He is.”

Brandi couldn’t stand it and said, “Mike begins his new job Monday!”

Elias looked at Mike, “New job!? You’re a good cop!”

Mike nodded, “I still will be.”

Brandi put her arm through Mike’s, “Now he is Detective Mike Duncan!” She said proudly.

Elias sighed with relief and hugged Mike, “Thank God! You helped crack Eric’s case as an officer. They can’t lose you. We can’t lose you!”

The noise and chaos just grew. David and Leia were part of the gang now. Chogan and Breanna were about the same age as the next generation was there. Being the season and Hawai’i it began to rain again. It rarely rained at a storm force, but it steadily came down. With nearly a dozen people in the house it was pretty crowded. Breanna and Chogan were playing and the first conflict began there. Chogan had toys they brought. However when Chogan picked up a toy Breanna had, she let out a scream.

“No, Bree!” Brandi said firmly. “You share.”

“Well,” Leia began going over to Chogan. “It is her toy.”

Brandi went over and took the toy Breanna had and gave it to Chogan, “You will learn to share, or they all get put away.” She looked at Leia, “Yes, it is her toy, but I had a hard time at her age. I know she will be hard to teach that to as well.” She blew an exasperated breath. “It’s not even a favored toy. She’s at the...mine stage.”

Leia chuckled nodding, “She’s hardly had to. You know your daughter, I don’t. I don’t know if Chogan will.”

“I have a solution!” Mike announced.

“Yes,” Brandi nodded. “We’ll have another one in a few years, but...”

“I mean now,” Mike frowned. “Everyone to the patio.”

It was pouring. I had seen something when we arrived. He led us through the den and slid open the glass door and left it open. It wasn’t raining on the patio! It was a nice sized patio that was dry as the proverbial bone. They had a covering over it. It was a hard roof, but the noise wasn’t bad.

“I had this made so Breanna could go out and play,” Mike said.

I noticed the enclosed area where a railing and fence surrounded the patio so Breanna couldn’t just walk away. Their house was in a suburb of Hilo with other houses in sight.

Elias came over, “I think we should do the same thing. J.J. can play and we would have an outdoor space to entertain.”

I waved at the close fitted slats of wood along the edge, “As long as we have that, fine.”

Mike even grilled outside. All was great. Mike came out with the cake he had made for Brandi.

Sharon grunted, “Thirty candles?” She wasn’t letting J.J. go. I was fine with that.

I nodded, “She is thirty.”

Sharon frowned, “I’ve been twenty-nine for three years.” She shrugged.

“I don’t know why,” I began. “Women are in their prime in their thirties!”

“I’m not ready to be in my prime,” Sharon shrugged.

Wayne came with a hamburger for Sharon and sat by her, “Here you go.”

“Thank you,” Sharon smiled as David and Leia sat with us.

“How did you all meet?” Leia asked.

Brandi was near us and came over for that, “They came to Hawai’i.” She pointed at me and to Elias. “I met them day one!”

“I met them the next day,” Sharon added. “We were next door neighbors.” She raised a finger and nodded, “It took only a week to know how important they’d become.”

Brandi laughed a bit angrily, “Because of Walt...what’s his name.”

Sharon agreed, “He was so handsome but thought like many do, I was to pay for my dinner. He wasn’t taking cash.”

“I knew he was a louse!” Brandi stated. “Why do men think we should give in to sex because you paid for dinner?”

“He brought me home and when I said no,” Sharon frowned at the memory. “He began hitting me! He was enraged!”

Brandi snorted. “I saw it and called out for Elias and Eric. I’ve never seen Elias move as fast!”

Sharon nodded, “He was a blur down the stairs. Opened the door pulling Walt out and slammed him over the front of the car! Punching him!” She smiled, “You weren’t slow. You got me out and asked if I was okay.” She smiled at me, “You both cared. That was when I knew I loved you two.”

“You were our brother protectors!” Brandi added. “Never once did I think you wanted anything else.” Brandi grinned. “You were attacked Eric. I remember telling you when Mike came to investigate the crime and you coached me. I told you and Elias in the hospital room I had to learn how to operate with you.”

“You did fine,” Elias said. “You met us that night, saw we were a couple and accepted us right then.” He grinned, “I followed Walter on campus for weeks. He never bothered you again, right?” He asked Sharon.

“Only once,” Sharon chuckled. “He wanted a second date to explain. I told him you were faculty and could kick his ass if he came by.”

“I would have,” Elias grinned.

“I would have given in to Eric or Elias,” she shrugged, “But these two preachers’ sons only had eyes for each other.”

“They never did want anything from us,” Brandi sighed. “Perfect gentlemen...”

“We were safe with them,” Sharon nodded. “No roving eyes...”

“They treated us as ladies,” Brandi agreed.

The visit was great, but we needed to leave. We had room and offered to have Wayne and Sharon over but was told Brandi and Mike had them as guests.

“Did you bring church clothes?” Elias asked on the way home. “It is Sunday tomorrow.”

“Church!?” David balked. “What church?”

Elias shrugged, “We were brought up going to church.” He waved at J.J. and Chogan. “They need a moral compass. We’ve been searching for a church in Hilo...”

“So far the Metropolitan Church in Pahoa is a good fit,” I added. It’s on the other side of Hilo but a pleasant drive.”

“They ain’t Baptist!” Elias chuckled. “You’re giving Chogan the right foundation.”

Leia smiled, “He is often on rotation on Sunday. I take Chogan to a local church, but we won’t be there soon. We never joined.”

“You’ll be visiting this one,” Elias stated. “We go after our run.”

“David smiled nodding, “I need to do that.”

I chuckled, “We’ll go easy on you. The road should be free of traffic Sunday morning.” I mocked a whisper to Leia, “Unless you want to join us...”

Leia shook her head, “I might later. I’ll keep J.J. and Chogan.”

David was hardly sedentary at work. He was moving all hours of his shift. That and his eating. He grabbed what he could when it was there. He did pretty well running the next morning. Elias and I didn’t do our full run.

We drove to the church we said and was greeted by the pastor. She was a lovely woman and a former student of Elias’.

We got home and our computer was making a call saying we had a message. Other than Jonathan, my mother was the only one to do that. We had missed her Saturday’s call. She knew David and Leia were here.

I connected to her, noticing the time and got a image of her face. J.J. was in my arms.

“Hello, Eric,” Mom greeted and smiled at J.J., “And to you, J.J..” She frowned, “I don’t care for that nickname, but it’s his, so...” She shook her head, “I got a call from Elias’ mother yesterday.”

Elias was walking by and stopped, “We told you she called. Dad was more concerned with the biology for J.J..”

“Hello, Elias,” Mom shrugged, “Maybe, but I told her, it didn’t matter. You two are the fathers!”

I nodded,” I know how you feel about lying, even if it’s by omission.”

“I don’t think it matters to your mother,” Mother smiled. “I know she has a grandson that has had some trouble with your father, Elias. I think you should tell her. It’s not my place to say anything.”

“Not your place!?” I balked. “J.J. is your grandson, too!” I looked behind me. “David, Leia come meet my mother.”

David came to stand by Elias. He was joined by Leia who held Chogan.

“Mom,” I waved at them. “This is David, Elias’ brother, his wife Leia and their son Chogan.” I motioned toward the monitor. “This is my mother Betty Mitchell.”

Mom smiled and marveled, “Just like Richard. He and his brother look alike. I can see the resemblance. I see your father in both of you. Handsome men. Leia, it’s wonderful to meet you. Such a lovely woman.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Mitchell,” Leia smiled and Chogan began to whine. “Excuse us. His schedule is all mixed up. He needs lunch, but is so tired after church...”

“Church!?” Mom balked. “You were at church?”

“Yes,” I chuckled. “The Open Arms Church in Pahoa, just South of Hilo. It’s not Baptist but welcomes everybody. I was raised in church. Elias and I believe J.J. needs to be as well.” I looked at Leia and waved at my mother, “Meet the queen of Sunday meals. She taught me to prepare food that would cook while at church. It’s Hawai’ian Chicken Stew again. It will be fine heated again. There is a big difference from the Chicken Stew I made you before Tina’s funeral.”

We didn’t talk for long. I had hungry people to feed.

The next day, I took them to the Hawai’ian Coffee Shoppe. They were impressed. Thao came from the office he used and I introduced him and Aunt Tessa.

Wayne and Sharon were getting the first sample of my Tea Soda. Brandi had run out.

“Damn!” Wayne said holding the bottle away. “This is good!”

I grinned, “Thank you.”

“We can’t get this in New York!?” Wayne asked.

“I researched that,” Thao said. “There is the lack of preservatives, and we don’t want spoilage.”

“There’s gotta be a way!” Wayne declared. “Freezing?”

“We’ll have to look at that.” Thao was again showing us his island.

It was Wednesday night when we all got a surprise. We had toured again and saw Hawai’i’s National Park with the ever erupting volcano. Mike, Brandi and Breanna had come with us. Naturally, it rained some. It was that evening while everyone was enjoying the evening meal of Mahi Mahi fish with Pineapple Salsa. Leia was helping me prepare the two turkeys were roasting the next day. I had an indoor roaster. Elias and David offered to help. Brandi, Mike, Thoa were entertaining Chogan. Elias was entertaining J.J.. Our driveway was full. I saw a taxi arrive. “Except for Aunt Tessa, everyone is here!”

Leia looked out and her eyebrows rose, “David, Elias...you’ll never believe who is here.”

Elias and David came and looked out the window. You were going to have to pry two jaws from the floor.

“Mom!?” Both Elias and David questioned.

“She’s here,” Elias said in disbelief. “In Hawai’i?”

My mother, Betty Mitchell stepped out of the taxi along with Joy Jonas. No one else.

Leia smiled and looked at everyone inside, “The mother and mother-in-law have arrived.”

“Whose mother?” Brandi asked quickly.

“Whose mother-in-law?” Sharon asked.

“Both,” Leia smiled bigger.

Joy had never been here as was looking at the house as Elias threw open the front door.

“Mom!” Elias shouted. “You came?”

Joy was embarrassed, “I missed you.” She shook her head, “I didn’t know if you’d welcome me.”

Elias walked down the steps to walk to her, “I didn’t disown you.” He stopped, “Eric’s here, too. Legal or not, we’re married.”

Joy nodded, “I know. This is his home...with you.”

David came down beside me. I hugged my mother.

“Mon,” David hugged his mother.

“I hope this is alright,” Joy began and sighed, “How your father treated you. You Elias, David and even Jonathan was wrong. I was wrong.” She smiled at me, “I’m sorry.”

“Alright?” I smiled. “It’s a reunion! For both our families. I’ve prepared enough food and we have room. Stay.”

Joy smiled and hugged me, “Thank you.”

“It will be a Hawai’ian Thanksgiving,” Elias grinned and waved his mother to the door. “Dad isn’t with you. He knows where you are.”

“Yes,” Joy answered.

We had enough people to bring in their luggage. Elias paid the taxi driver. He came in and presented, “Everyone, my mothers. Betty Mitchell and Joy Jonas.”

Sharon came holding J.J., “And this is Justin Jonas Mitchell.”