Fawn squeezed Annie’s arm. “Don’t go jumping to conclusions. Maybe it broke and someone found it.”
It was hard not to jump to conclusions, not after her mother had died out here. She’d thrown herself into the lava, leaving only her Surfah flip-flops behind. Blue ones that Annie kept on her dresser. She shuddered. Trouble had been Leilani’s middle name since then. Annie was ill equipped to deal with Leilani’s rebellious ways. Though her sister was only five years younger than Annie’s thirty years, sometimes Annie felt generations older.
Annie told herself not to worry. There was likely a perfectly reasonable explanation. “You’re probably right. It’s not unlike her to be gone overnight. It’s just this necklace.” She went toward their vehicle. “I’d better check and see if my dad has heard from her. I’ll call some of her friends. I’m sure there’s some explanation.”
Fawn followed her. “Annie to the rescue. Don’t you ever get tired of being the one that everyone leans on? You’ll never get to live your own life.”
“I love my family,” Annie said. They reached the Kawasaki ATV. “Hop on, let’s go.”
Fawn shrugged and got behind her. “Your family’s expectations are going to kill you. I hate to see the way you beat yourself up when you can’t do everything. Have you been drinking the chamomile tea I gave you? It should help with the stress.”
Annie grinned. “Yes, doctor.”
“I know you think I harp on this too much, but you’ve taken over everything for them since your mom died. They’re never going to let you have a life if you make it too easy for them. They’ve all turned into babies. They’re adults. Make them act like it.”
“I know, I know. I will.” Annie negotiated the a’a trail carefully. She didn’t dare drive too fast, or the sharp bits of lava would shred the ATV’s tires. The a’a finally gave way to black gravel, and she picked up her speed. “Harp is a good word. On a double-word square it would be worth eighteen points.” Talking about Scrabble was better than thinking about the necklace in her pocket. Or about how accurate Fawn’s observations were. Things had changed for the Tagama family, but there was no going back. Annie couldn’t bear to see her family suffer anymore, not if she could shoulder the burdens for them and ease their lives.
“I should save my breath,” Fawn said. “I was going to offer to get you an appointment at the Fairmont for a Lomilomi massage, but you don’t deserve it.”
Fawn knew how to stab her where it hurt. “Meanie.” Annie turned the corner onto concrete. The long, squat building that housed the offices sat at the top of a small rise and was surrounded by lava fields. To the right of the Hawai’i Volcanoes Observatory was the Jagger Museum, containing a history of the Hawai’i volcanoes. Scientists from all over the world came here to study the geological processes that triggered volcanic activity. She parked the ATV and waited for Fawn to hop off, then dismounted.
Fawn smoothed the locks of hair the wind had teased from her braid. “You’re too young to spend your life in front of a board game. When was the last time you went to the movies or even out to eat?”
Annie scrunched her forehead as she thought. “Um, the last time you and I went. I guess it was last month,” she said.
“My point exactly. Five weeks ago, to be exact. I’ve invited you to do something every Friday since then too, and you always say you have to fix dinner for your dad. That’s not normal, Annie. You’re only thirty, not eighty. And you’re letting him become a tyrant. I think he thinks he’s a Japanese emperor from the 1800s now that your mom isn’t around to keep him in line.”
“I know, I know.” The parking lot beside the squat brick building was nearly empty, and Annie realized it was after five o’clock. Gina’s car was still in the lot though. Annie started toward her Nissan Pathfinder. A movement at the office door caught her eye, and she glanced up to see her boss waving at her imperiously.
“Annie, I need to see you,” Gina called.
Annie sighed. Fawn raised her eyebrows. Their boss, Gina Sarris, turned and walked back inside. Judging from Gina’s stiff back, Annie was headed for trouble. Annie limped toward the building. She didn’t have time for this.