The three of them packed a lunch, loaded up in the truck and drove down the highway towards the hiking trail that would lead to Likeke Falls. Music filled the cab of the truck, but Catherine turned it down, "Azucena, Steve tells me you are studying to be a nurse."
"Yeah." She responded from the backseat of the pickup.
"What type of nursing would you want to specialize in?"
"Pediatrics, with a focus on oncology."
"Wow, that's some pretty heavy stuff." Exclaimed Catherine, the kid had more strength than she did. She couldn't imagine being surrounded by kids all day, let alone sick kids. Steve was equally as surprised, they hadn't really talked about this.
"Someone's gotta do it." Azucena responded, "What about you, did you always want to go into the Navy?"
"My dad was in the Army, so we moved around a bunch when I was a kid. I didn't really have a hometown. The military just seemed like a logical step. Although, I had to be a little rebellious and applied to the Navy."
"How long have you been in?"
"It will be fourteen years in June." Catherine said, smiling as she thought about it.
"That's quite a commitment." Observed Azucena.
"Yeah, with six more years I can retire with full military benefits. I don't know what I'll do after that." Azucena thought to herself, Steve probably wasn't really thrilled to hear six more years of her coming and going out of his life, but that was none of her business.
"If you could do anything, training, costs, education weren't required, what would it be?" Azucena quizzed her. She hated small talk, but this was the only way to get to know her brother's girlfriend. She seemed like a very nice woman, so it really wasn't too painful. It just felt so awkward to Azucena.
"Hmmm . . . I would like to try my hand at one of those fishing boats up in Alaska." Offered Catherine. Steve looked over at his girlfriend, this was news to him. However, they never talked about 'what ifs.'
"Really?" questioned Steve, looking at her with surprise in his face.
"Oh yeah, I think it would be thrilling." Catherine responded, her face completely serious.
"I never would have guessed that." Said Steve.
"I'm a woman of many surprises."
"Don't I know it." He responded, as he affectionately squeezed her hand.
"What about you?" Catherine asked Azucena. Azucena didn't have to think at all, she knew the answer. She and the guys had played this game their entire lives. Dean always picked astronaut, Tommy would inevitably say he wanted to be an inventor – but of what he wasn't certain, and Frog surprised everyone with an actor in a Broadway play.
"Professional traveler."
"Where is the first place you would go?" asked Steve, getting into the game.
"I would go to Maine during the fall foliage and then I would visit the Wonders of the World starting with Latin and South America first: Chichen Itza, Lake Titicaca, Machu Pichu, Panama Canal, and Christ the Redeemer." She answered, listing them off on her fingers.
"You've put a lot of thought into this." Offered Catherine.
"What about you, Steve?" Azucena asked, as she nodded to Catherine's statement.
"Racecar driver." He grinned, and Catherine countered, "Just what you need, to be behind the wheel of a car that purposefully goes extremely fast."
"It would be awesome!" exclaimed Steve. The ladies both laughed at his enthusiasm. Steve ended their laughing with the next question, "If you could have any super power in the world, what would it be?"
"Easy, the ability to fly." Answered Catherine.
"Time travel." Offered Azucena.
"Invisibility." Steve added.
"My turn," stated Catherine, "Um, you can have dinner with one historical person, past or present, who would it be?"
"That one is tough" Offered Steve, "but I'm going to say Winston Churchill. I would want to hear his through process on how he helped end World War II."
"That sounds like a heavy dinner conversation." Observed Azucena.
"Azucena, who would you eat dinner with?" questioned Catherine.
"I'm still thinking, you go first."
"I going with Marilyn Monroe."
"Why her?" questioned Steve.
"I love her old movies; I think it would be fun to hear about her thoughts on everything from those days."
"I didn't know you were a fan of her work."
"Maybe some time I'll introduce you to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but you can't dump me for one."
"Deal." Laughed Steve, and then he looked in the rearview mirror to his sister, "Who would you have dinner with?"
"Nelson Mandela," she stated, "I've always found him fascinating and how do you serve 27 years in prison and not be bitter? I think it would be interesting conversation. Although, if he is busy, I reserve the right to dine with Kurt Cobain."
"Nirvana fan, huh?" asked Catherine.
"Yeah, I like them."
"I saw them play in Denver in '93." Stated Catherine.
"No way, now that would have been awesome." Mocking Steve's use of the word earlier. Everyone laughed as they pulled off the side of the road, near the entrance to the hiking path. There were a few other cars in the area.
The three continued to chat as they walked the two miles to Likeke Falls. Steve was surprised by how much he was learning about Catherine. He knew her like and dislikes, and what drove her, but they never really let their imaginations wander and talk about silly stuff like they were today. He truly enjoyed seeing this side of her.
When they finally reached the falls, there were small groups of people spread out in various patches of shade, lounging in the pool under the falls, and of course there were the dare devils that jumped from one of the upper ledges off the falls. The three of them found a spot to put their stuff in the shade and started peeling off their hiking clothes. Once they were ready to get in the water, Steve looked to them, "Either of you want to jump off the cliffs?"
"No thanks." Said Catherine.
"Pass, thanks though." Answered Azucena, but she could see the little boy in Steve. He was so excited to jump off the cliff and he was willing to share this opportunity with them. Her heart smiled, she was so thankful he was in her life and after the car ride, she was thankful for Catherine. She was genuinely trying to make things comfortable for Azucena.
"Go have fun sailor, but be safe." Catherine said, as she leaned over and kissed him. She pulled back and he was off, climbing to the jumping cliff. Catherine watched him and then started walking towards the pool that was furthest away from the jumping cliff, Azucena followed, "Is he an adrenaline junkie?"
"Depends on who you ask." Catherine answered, "Danny will tell you yes, but I say he is only when it's necessary. However, most guys I know would love to jump off these cliffs. I think it's all that testosterone."
Azucena chuckled, "Yeah, the guys I grew up with would be thrilled to jump off those cliffs."
"Steve says they are in Japan, on a Marine base." Catherine stated, trying to make conversation as they waded into the chilly water.
"They are at Camp Lester in Okinawa, but I honestly couldn't tell you what they do."
"Maybe they can come over to the island sometime on one of their R&R breaks."
"Perhaps." Azucena responded, she hadn't even thought of that; but she was definitely open to the idea. They found rocks in the water to sit on, while they watched the dare devils jump from the cliff. After Steve jumped, he swam over to where they were, and they spent the afternoon talking and relaxing.
#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#
When they arrived home, everyone went their own ways to get cleaned up. Azucena showered and did her hair up in a French braid. She threw on a pair of jeans and a shirt. She checked her phone, there was a text from Tommy:
I miss the nights spent out in the pasture in our sleeping bags on a tarp. Cooking hot dogs over the campfire and staring at the stars all night. Those nights are some of my best memories. I miss you Red.
Valentine's Day is coming up. You going to be okay this year? You know you can call me if you need to, Frog as well.
Love you!
She had been trying to ignore the fact that the holiday was quickly approaching. It was two weeks away, but it came every year, whether she wanted it to or not. Tommy was already worried; he knew her too well. She texted him back:
Those were some of the best nights. I love how the fireflies lit up the fields and you could see every star in the sky. It was always so serene and beautiful out there.
As for Valentine's day, I'll be fine. It's been almost three years, he's still in jail, and I'm an ocean away. Don't worry about me. Love and miss you too!
She had checked the movie listings earlier in the week, she wanted to give Steve and Catherine a night to themselves. There was a film she had been wanting to see, so she had saved it for tonight. At this point, she had enough time to ride her bike over to Kamekona's for dinner and then up to the movie theater. That should give Steve and Catherine at least four hours to themselves.
As she headed towards the stairs, she noted Steve's bedroom door was still closed, good for them. She descended the stairs and left a note on the kitchen counter:
Steve and Catherine,
Went to grab a bite at Kamekona's and then see a movie. Should be home around 10:30. I'll have my phone on me. Thanks for today, it was fun.
#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#
Steve and Catherine had spent more than three minutes in the shower and had tried to be quiet. When they were finally clean enough, they threw on some sweats and headed for the kitchen. They were ravenous after spending the day hiking and playing in the water.
They walked into the kitchen and Steve saw the note first, "That little devil."
Catherine had read the note over his shoulder, "That's sweet of her. She really wants you to have your space."
"Well, since we have space?" he began, as he turned and wrapped his arms around her.
"Slow down there Sailor, I need to eat something." Laughed Catherine, as she returned his embrace and kissed him.