O+F

longing. It wasn't too late to turn around. They could put the pieces back together; he could serve her, and she would take care of him. Why not? What else was he going to do? He sea

d stopped at a motel. He put his bag on a chair and lay down for a moment. Had he done the right thing? Or was he just running away from commitment? He was in a bind. He

one end of the counter. A truck driver and three construction workers sat at the other end. Oliver sat between the two groups

inging doors dissolved into dark water. He saw Owl overboard, holding his head above the waves. "Find your f

do something. It was good adv

e co

es. P

rown. Owl had done his best for him. He had acknowledged their difference without really talking about it. He hadn't tried to be everything to

eemed to

h his father, Muni, since she had left Hawaii. She wouldn't know any more than what she'd already told him. The Nakano's had owned a small hotel in Honolulu. Muni's brother, Ken, was a teacher. M

o on, but it w

ver. You're home e

. I'm going to Hawaii

said. "I'm not going t

aking care of him, by

nice man and you have

ys," Arlen said. "It's not quite cocktai

rop," Oli

ds. "Perseverance fur

from the

ccess is showing up,"

le

just have to keep at it. What was your

we wanted extra, we had to work for it. He still has the farm, but he sold the herd after Mother died." Arlen's eyebrows raised with the memory, then settled. "He's hung on, doing a little of thi

er met my father. Th

ee if I can

. It's a long flight. B

over on the west coast,

that way, and the fligh

a bad

Portland are nice. There's a marvelous Japanese gard

. I'm not sure when I'

en I can get a cheap t

r two. You might as well make a

tter people-unless you know someone who mig

ts. "Porter might like that. His s

rte

aid. "He might be up for some peace

nd of you

sk," Ar

sipped whiskey. "My ste

early twenty

hers can be bad

o find out. Bound to lear

rop

ur

I remember when I told mine that

happ

e was thinking. He said: 'They say people are wired that w

didn't want him thinking I was sorry for

verything in skirts since they were big enough to si

said. 'Thr

her said." Arlen smiled and lifted his gla

ht!" Oli

stay in the apartment and cat-sit, Arlen informed him. The three met for lunch in the Old Port. Porter was round and jovial, balding with a small spade shap

shoreline. From there, the path turned eastward, following the shore to the beach and to the main parking lot, closed at that time of year. One morning he noticed an unusual arrangement of sti

ys later, there was only a low wall protecting a woven matting of driftwood sticks. Oliver

ays the last to fall. Tough stuff, oak, Oliver thought. He stopped to look for the latest sculpture. At first, he saw only random driftwood. It was as though a s

nd. Oliver approached. They stood like Easter Island miniatures, thin sides facing the ocean. Oliver's imagination shrunk and stood on the stand looking up at them. Just then

ive

" he said. "You scared me. Look at this." He motioned her over

he was wearing tan jeans and a

res here," Oliver said. "I sta

here often?

ea

ings. Conor takes care of the girl

Any time of year," Oliver

finger in the sand behind one of the Early People. There

liver said. "I d

raightened.

into step

en you in age

How are t

getting better. They're fine." S

thing for yo

o .

it, but I didn't wa

g time since I w

a vale

ked himself. Too late now. Francesca rubbed the end of her

leaving on Thursda

are you

and find my father. I've never met him.

!" Franc

here, Sunday.

said. "I could

'Cape Elizabet

aid. A lobster boat started

re you?" Ol

feet,

I did when I first saw you in Becky's, but now I don't." A qui

barely heard her. "When will you

weeks, I think. Maybe

ow gets too d

said, stopping. "I'll leave

ked back the way they had come. The sun w

f being off duty. They had waited for the sun