The Islands (22 page)

7

C
ATHERINE TRIED TO SLEEP
on the long flight back to Hawaii after their visit to
Heatherbrae
. She had mixed feelings. She glanced out the window and saw thick clouds and knew beneath them there was only the Pacific Ocean stretching between Australia and the tiny dots of the Hawaiian Islands. She felt the threads that bound her to her home country slowly stretching and she thought that there would come a point when she'd let Australia go and the Islands would draw her into their embrace.

But in this limbo her thoughts were with her family. The visit hadn't been all she'd hoped. It was still the end of a searing summer. The farm and landscape were brown, the creeks and the river dangerously low. The flies had driven Bradley mad and while he was charming and polite, Catherine could read him well enough to know he was bored and felt he had nothing in common with her family or their friends. But everyone liked him, thought him sophisticated and charming and said how lucky Catherine was to have married him.

The visit got off to a great start. They'd had a few days in Sydney with Mollie who broke the news that she had just got engaged. So they'd had dinner with Mollie and Jason, who was a stockbroker, which suited Mollie for, while she might claim to be a free spirit, she liked to do it with money.

Alone with Catherine, Mollie told her they were madly saving to buy a house but they'd love to go to Kauai and stay at the Palm Grove some day and she planned to keep working ‘until kids come along. Of course I adore Jason,' she added, ‘but he's just an average Aussie bloke, isn't he? Not a dazzler like your Bradley. God, he's so good looking.'

Mollie seemed to have her life planned out and this made Catherine realise how many upheavals she and Bradley were likely to have in the future. She had talked to navy wives who'd moved around the world, sometimes being uprooted at short notice and who had never felt they had a permanent home of their own. Their kids hated being moved from schools and friends and with husbands at sea, the wives were lonely and the burden of the family and home fell on their shoulders.

While Bradley was in Administration he'd assured Catherine he'd be shore based most of the time, but now that seemed to have changed and she wondered how she would cope with his long absences. It was all so different from what she'd grown up with. Bradley was sympathetic about the poor weather conditions at home, but he really couldn't understand how awful a drought could be for everyone. She was upset and concerned. She could see how hard her father was working and the terrible plight of Rob, whose father's property
Craigmore
was in dire straits.

In the brief time she had to talk with Rob alone, he'd told her that his father had run the place down terribly but wouldn't let him make any changes to modernise or reassess the management of it. Putting money into race horses had been a bigger concern for his father than putting money into his property. Rob's sisters had no interest in the place, nor did Barbara who, now that they were married, tried to spend as much time as possible going to Sydney to see her parents and friends.

‘It's only country people like us, born here, growing up here, that really understand what this is all about,' said Rob. ‘The economy is doing okay, wool and cattle prices are good. Mind you, what the meat sells for in shops is way, way more than we're getting. But our feed isn't good, the land needs revitalising somehow. Dad won't listen to my “way out” rubbish-talk of course.'

Catherine missed the yarns with her father and his neighbours and their cronies about farming, the land, cattle, life in general. But she understood that it probably was boring for Bradley, just as she'd been bored by his father's talk about the golf club, a favourite new restaurant and his sports games. She knew, too, she would miss the cups of tea and long talks with her mother when she returned to the Islands. They seemed to talk about everything. It was such a contrast to conversations with Angela and Deidre, which never got beyond clothes, shopping sales, going out to lunch and some light-hearted reminiscences about Bradley and his siblings.

As if reading her thoughts, Bradley took her hand. ‘Missing everyone back at home already?'

She nodded, suddenly choked up. ‘Not just the family.
Heatherbrae
and the country is so much a part of me. I know you didn't see it at its best, but it is beautiful.'

‘I imagine so. I thought the sunset barbecue fire at the top of your knoll was lovely.'

‘Until the mozzies came out,' she reminded him. Bradley had been eaten alive despite liberally dousing himself in insect repellent.

‘Well, I did see lots of wallabies.' He hesitated. ‘But really, Catherine, growing up there, what on earth did you
do
?'

She stared at him in amazement. ‘I told you. We rode horses, helped on the farm, went to the cattle sales, the ag show, bush races, picnics, dances. And that's not even leaving the district. We went to Sydney and to other towns. I found Sydney less fun than being in the country. Bush kids know how to have a good time. We made our own fun.'

‘But it's so rural. Aren't you happier in a city like Honolulu where you can have both? The mountains, the sea. And then we have Waikiki on our doorstep. It seemed to me your friends were quite envious of your life, Catherine.'

‘They were. And I know I'm lucky, Bradley. It's just I do miss old friends, my home . . . and I can't help wondering what our life's going to be like. Not owning a home, being settled.'

‘Catherine! We own an apartment. And what's all this about being settled? You were the one that wanted the gypsy life. You were so carefree, flexible, willing to take on the world. Where's that Catherine?'

She knew he was right. He hadn't wanted to marry a girl who lived near his mother, had lunch with their parents every Sunday, saw the same people, same places all the time. He wanted someone who loved to travel, someone happy to move each time the navy told them to. ‘I guess I'm just homesick, saying goodbye and all. And not knowing where we'll be after Hawaii.'

‘Enjoy Hawaii, we could end up in a lot worse places.'

‘I know that. I truly love Hawaii. I feel a great attachment to the Islands already. Especially after the rally.'

‘What rally?'

‘Oh. When I was downtown taking photos . . . I saw a bit of a rally with a lot of Hawaiian people.' She stumbled over her words, cursing her slip.

‘That Hawaiian land thing? Did you know some of the protesters? Was Kiann'e there?'

Catherine nodded meekly.

‘I'm surprised at Kiann'e's being so . . . radical. She is different from the girl who dances at the Moonflower. So what happened?'

‘You knew about the rally?'

‘It was discussed in the office. Apparently there was criticism of the military. So where were you?'

‘Taking photos of the Iolani Palace and downtown. So I took a few of the rally. Actually, I sold one to the newspaper,' she said defiantly.

‘You what? Hell, I hope no-one saw you. Your name wasn't mentioned, was it?' asked Bradley in alarm.

‘You mean, a photo credit? I don't think I'm at that level yet.'

‘Catherine, this is serious. What paper was it?'

‘The Hawaii News.'

‘That trashy paper? You know that's a mouthpiece for the separatists. They've started with land issues, they're against development – and remember tourism is the lifeblood of the Islands – and before you know it they'll be pushing for secession, independence or some such nonsense.'

‘Bradley! People just want the right to stay on their own land. Wouldn't you?'

‘Catherine, I'm not going to discuss this with you. I'm stopping this conversation right now. But just let me say this, you cannot fraternise with politically affiliated or contentious people who are expressing sentiments and essentially taking an anti-American stance. We cannot take sides when we are an arm of the government.'

‘You. Not me, Bradley.'

‘You're my wife, America is your home now. Good Lord, you're taking out citizenship,' he snapped in an angry, low voice. ‘You're supposed to be thinking of us, our future. These foolish ideas and friends are damaging to us. Please consider that.'

Catherine was tempted to snap back, but saw the stewardess approaching with the meal trolley and so kept quiet.

They ate their meal in silence, then Bradley opened his book and settled himself with a pillow and was soon asleep. Catherine continued to stare at the blank world of clouds outside the plane. She could understand Bradley's point of view. But she could hear Mollie's voice saying, ‘Stand up for yourself. Get liberated, Cathy.'

Catherine had been surprised to find that Mollie was now involved in ‘women's lib' and despite her plans for her and Jason's future, she'd told Catherine, ‘He's had to accept that I want a say in our plans – where to live, my working, starting a family, my money, his money.'

Mollie's outspoken attitude had made Catherine realise how much of her life she had relinquished to Bradley. But she'd loyally told Mollie, ‘Bradley is so organised, such a planner, so sensible, and so amenable and fair. I'm quite happy to let him run things.'

‘That's because you're an only child, Cathy. You've been looked after and spoiled and Bradley is doing the same.' Catherine had not replied to such an unjust remark, but she did think about Mollie's forthright attitude to marriage.

Catherine dozed and when she awoke they were getting ready for the descent into Honolulu. Her spirits rose. She began to think about the island's beauty, Kiann'e and her friends, starting her photography course, her early morning swim in crystal water.

When they left the plane the sight of the palm trees, the soft breeze, the warmth of the air and the smiles of the local people, the ease with which they went through customs, the calls of aloha, leis being given, people embracing . . . She took Bradley's hand.

‘I'm glad to be home.'

They skimmed through the mail and Catherine grimaced as she read several formal invitations to morning teas, luncheons and a meeting of the Wives' Club. She rang Kiann'e.

‘You're back! We've missed you. A swim tomorrow? What are you doing for lunch?' asked Kiann'e, sounding delighted to hear from her.

‘Oh, we couldn't possibly face going out today, thanks. But I can't wait to see you in the morning. How's everything?'

‘Good, good. Lester misses you. Are you jet lagged?'

‘It's been a long trip. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.' Catherine was keen to share her feelings and tell Kiann'e all about her visit home. ‘But I'm really glad to be back.'

They went to the commissary for provisions, Bradley called some colleagues and as they were unpacking and sorting laundry, there was a knock at their door.

‘Who would that be?' said Bradley. ‘We really need an early night. I have to work tomorrow.' His face fell as he opened the door to find Albert, Kiann'e's teenage nephew, standing there with a large basket.

‘Kiann'e and Aunty Lani sent this for Catherine.'

‘Hi, Albert. What's this?' called Catherine behind Bradley.

‘They thought you might be too tired to cook. They sent you a welcome home supper.'

‘How lovely, come in.'

‘Ah, that's okay. See ya.' He waved and left.

Bradley put the large basket on the table. ‘Really, Catherine, how embarrassing. We could go out to eat and we bought food. We're not on welfare and I don't want to be treated like family by these people.'

‘These people are friends of mine, and I think this is so thoughtful. It's the aloha spirit, Bradley. Look, how yummy.' She began taking containers of food, some fruit and a cake from the basket.

That night they broke a rule and ate in front of the TV. Bradley had to admit that the food was good.

‘I suppose you're seeing Kiann'e tomorrow. When you return the basket don't encourage any more food drops,' said Bradley.

Catherine ignored the comment and said breezily, ‘I'm starting my photography course tomorrow evening. Can I take the car after I bring you home?'

Catherine caught up on the local news as she and Kiann'e walked the beach the next morning. She wanted to know how all her friends were and what they had been doing.

‘My mother is pleased by the support the rally had. There could have been more in the news, but it's a start. They're trying to get a meeting with local council representatives. Lester has missed you. Now tell me about the visit. What did Bradley think?'

Catherine filled her in and told her of her disappointment with Bradley's reaction to Peel and
Heatherbrae.

Kiann'e shook her head. ‘That's too bad. He probably finds it too isolated and well, culturally foreign.'

‘We speak English at least!'

‘I mean that country life isn't for him. Maybe it's the space thing, he feels threatened by the wide open spaces! He's been living in small apartments, works in an office or else is on a cramped ship.'