Page 21 of Break Line

Nathan had been practicing surfing on his board, balancing on one leg. It took more upper body strength, but he figured if he could conquer that, he could manage with the prosthetic. It was difficult to get used to, but then again, learning to surf had been in the beginning anyway.

He combed his hair and straightened his tie. Tonight, was the night he would formally propose to Kini.

Earlier in the day, she had accompanied him and his family to the very important ceremony to scatter his mother’s ashes at sea. The priest sang traditional songs, then gave him the signal. After opening the canister and dumping the ashes on the waves, he tossed his lei onto the water.

“Mom, you were the best mother a guy could ever have. I miss you. Because of you, I am the man I am today. I hope you’d be proud of me. Love you, Mom.”

His aunt said her goodbyes as she wept for her sister. His cousins tossed their leis with quick goodbyes. It was a solemn moment, and he was thrilled to have Kini by his side. At that moment, he felt his mother smiling down on him when he reached for Kini’s hand.

“I never got to meet you in this life, but I hope to in the next. You must have been an amazing woman to have such a wonderful son.” Kini bowed her head in reverence as she tossed her lei.

Nathan smiled at Kini and the family that surrounded him. His daughters were in a small rowboat behind him as they hadn’t mastered boards yet.

Sunset in paradise!

Nathan couldn’t ask for a better life!

THE END

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