Mama's Boy and Other Dark Tales Read Free Page A

take me to the cliffs, Paulo.” His tone was an unmasked challenge.
    "No,” said the boy, looking around, eager to change the subject. “I come here for akaku ‘ili —my first."
    Simon remembered the leathery strips in his pocket. On a hunch he hedged his bet.
    "So how is it? I haven't tried it yet myself."
    The boy looked away, embarrassed. “They no give it to me."
    "No? Why not?” Simon resisted a knowing grin.
    The boy mumbled his answer. “Not a man yet."
    Bingo!
    "Ah, now that doesn't seem fair at all,” said Simon. “You certainly look man enough to me."
    In fact, the boy was strong and tall for a village teen, but he was still awkward and immature. Reluctantly, Simon used this fact to his advantage. Huddling against the shelter, he motioned for Paulo to come closer.
    "How about a trade?” he said. “You take me to the cliffs, and I'll give you akuku ‘ili .” Simon pulled a handful of bark slivers from his pocket.
    The boy's eyes widened. He looked around to see if anyone was listening, and after a brief flicker of guilt on his face, he said, “Okay, I take you ... but no tell father."
    After some further negotiating, Simon handed over two small slivers of the bark, with a sincere promise from Paulo that he wouldn't chew it until they returned from their journey. Satisfied with this arrangement, they split up and hurried off to collect their gear and supplies for the climb to the Nightmare Cliffs.
* * * *
    The villagers swayed and chanted to the sound of the drums. Those outside the cooking shelter were oblivious to the rain and wind that blew through their flimsy palm shelters. With his heavy pack over his shoulder, Simon wove a path through the swaying crowd, the wet sand bogging down his shoes. He stopped to tap it loose when a cold hand shot out of the crowd and gripped his ankle. Caught by surprise, he nearly toppled over. A familiar face glowed up at him in the fire light, her wet hair ringed with pink orchids. Eyelids heavy with the effects of the akaku ‘ili , she nodded at Simon's pack. It was Peka.
    "No ... leave ... beach,” she said, still gripping his ankle.
    His guilt for using Paulo flared. “I'll be back by tomorrow, Peka. Don't worry."
    "No leave!” Peka struggled to her feet, grasping at his clothes.
    Impatient with the interruption, Simon wanted to push her away along with the guilt he felt for tricking her son. Instead, he gently disengaged her hands.
    Saving Peka's life had made them family, and he felt a strong kinship and tenderness toward her. Many times in the past she had inquired about his own family and the sadness she saw in his eyes, until finally, dispassionately, he had shared the details of his life. She could not understand his numbness and how his tears did not flow, considering his loss. So like his own wife, she would do anything to love and protect her family, her ohana , the people she cherished, even Simon. With what little patience that remained before his journey to the cliffs, he guided Peka back to her spot in the circle.
    The elder woman next to Peka said something harsh in their native tongue, chastising her and forcing her to focus on the ceremony. The old woman turned to Simon, and with a fierce squinty look, she thrust her chin toward the jungle. There it was again—somehow the natives all knew where he was heading—maybe word had spread that he was looking for a guide. At least no one tried to stop him, so Simon moved on toward the edge of the jungle, to the path that would lead him and Paulo to the cliffs.
    The boy was there waiting with a fiery torch. Flickering against the wind and rain, its light cast ghoulish shadows across his face. Simon shivered at the sight and lifted his own bright lantern to dispel the shadows.
    The boy smiled. “Come, Mr. Simon! It is long walk to Pahulu Pali ."
    Leaving the drumming and the memory of Peka's worried face behind, Simon followed the boy into the dense jungle.
* * * *
    Trekking high up the side of the