Page 3 of Beauty and the Beach

“Where are you from, Ana?” Makoa said.

“California originally.” She took slower sips of water and tried to calm her racing heart.

“What brought you to Maui?”

“Opportunity. A change of scene.” Ana shrugged. “How about you?”

“I was born here. I work at the Palekaiko Beach Resort.” He pointed towards Black Rock, which was a welcome sight. She had started out on the other side of Black Rock this morning before the storm surge shot her across the water. Ana vaguely recalled that there was a small resort next to the larger chain hotels.

“I’m a bellhop,” he said sheepishly.

“I’m a mermaid.” She smirked.

“I can see that. The fin gave it away.” He leaned forward. “Did Kanaloa send you?”

Ana didn’t even know who that was. “No, I was practicing and the riptide took me by surprise.”

Makoa nodded. “Not like California around here is it?”

“But that’s a good thing,” she said. Even though she still shared a small apartment with three other women, Ana was happy to be away from the pressures of Hollywood where she was never pretty enough, or thin enough, or blond enough. “I was never enough there.”

“Do you still have family in California?”

Ana gave a half laugh. “No. My parents are up in Alaska.”

Makoa shivered. “Isn’t that anuanu?”

“What?”

“Cold.” He rubbed his arms, pantomiming being chilly.

She grinned at his antics. “And remote. It wasn’t for me. I like the bustling activity of the cities. Or at least I did. Maui has been nice.”

“Are you enough here?” he asked solemnly.

Frowning, Ana thought about it. “I’m not sure. It’s still too soon. What about you?”

He sighed. “I used to think so.” Melancholy clouded his eyes.

She reached out and held his hand. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

Looking down at this joined hands, Makoa turned her wrist over as if he was looking for something.

“So, is catching a mermaid like catching a leprechaun? Do I get three wishes?” He smirked, the sadness washed away by his easy grin.

“I can try. What are your three wishes?”

“I already asked Kanaloa for something. I think he granted me that one. So, it seems kind of greedy to ask for two more wishes.”

“Wish for someone else then.”

Makoa’s face brightened. “Yeah that’s a good idea. I wish Hani and Theresa to have a long and happy life together. They’re getting married next week.”

Ana clapped her hands together. “That’s a beautiful sentiment.”

Scratching his chin, Makoa squinted out into the horizon. “Can I wish for something for you? Like can I wish you free?”

Tugging on her tail, it still wouldn’t budge. “I don’t think wishing will help with that.”