Page 43 of Try Easy

Keoni was quiet for a moment, and Lou could see him struggling with an idea.

“Keoni!” called a voice from down the beach. “That you, bruddah?”

Keoni pretended he didn’t hear, but Lou started laughing. “See?” she asked, looking past Keoni’s shoulder in the direction of the voice.

Keoni rolled his eyes and turned to look up the beach. There was a group of guys sitting around a picnic table waving at him.

“Come on,” Keoni said to Lou. “Let’s go say hello.”

Lou smirked. “Your public awaits,” she said with a curtsy.

“Shut up,” Keoni said, grabbing her hand.

The local divers sitting around a picnic table were tall and heavily muscled. Lou could see that they were an intimidating bunch. They were probably used to having the beach to themselves.

Keoni held Lou’s hand as they approached the table.

“Keoni, bruddah, I can’t believe they passed you over for the Duke.”

“It’s awrite,” Keoni said with a shrug. “Next year.”

“You diving today?” one of them asked.

“Nah, just some surfing. Nate, Kawika, Danny—this is Mary Lou. She’s from Seattle.”

Everyone was silent for a long moment as they looked at Lou. Finally, she broke the awkward silence by asking what they were eating.

They looked her up and down for a second before answering.

“Fish and poi,” Kawika said. “There’s plenny.”

Lou thanked them and tried some of the freshly grilled fish. It was the most delicious thing she’d ever tasted, and she told them as much.

“What’s poi taste like?” Lou asked, pointing to the purple mixture that was a staple in the Hawaiian diet.

“Try some,” Keoni said, offering her the bowl.

Lou dipped a piece of bread into the paste-like substance and took a bite. She paused before swallowing. She would have spit it out if it hadn’t been too rude. Poi tasted a lot like she imagined wallpaper paste must taste.

“You don’t like it?” Keoni asked.

Lou shook her head and forced herself to swallow. “Sorry,” she said.

“No problem,” Keoni said.

“Can I try some of that stuff?” she asked, pointing to a jug that they’d been passing around the table.

“Better not,” he advised.

“Why not?”

“It’s hot,” Danny said. “Not for tourists.”

Lou’s eyes narrowed. “I can handle it,” she said.

Danny shrugged and handed Lou the jug. There weren’t any cups, so she had to put her mouth to the jug and take a swig just like the guys. Everyone stared at her as she tipped the jug up and took a big gulp.

A moment later Lou’s face turned red and tears started pouring from her eyes.

---