Chapter 7
Kamekona had not exaggerated regarding the late night that the Thursday gig would require and Nahele had poured himself an extra cup of coffee that Friday morning. Steve had eyed him with concern, but thankfully Myah had innocently suggested he try an energy drink.
"I like Bang and Reign the best."
"Since when do you drink energy drinks, young lady?!"
"Uh… not all the time, just on occasion. It's not like there's a legal age requirement for them." Her facial expression clearly indicated that she regretted bringing the topic up at all.
"I'm aware of that, but there is no reason a fourteen year old should be drinking that much caffeine. Or a sixteen year old for that matter." Steve shot Nahele a look.
"I prefer coffee." Nahele said, lifting his mug in salute. "And sleep." He was no stranger to energy drinks, but had found he really didn't care for the overly sweet flavors, and really did prefer the bitterness of coffee. His answer was enough to place Steve's focus back on Myah, who was loath to admit that Mary was her general supplier.
Now that he was attempting to drag himself through the school day, he actually did wish he liked energy drinks. It was around lunch time that Kamekona texted him and said there'd been a change in the event location for that night and that the place required all vendors to be 21. Normally those rules grated Nahele's nerves like nails on a chalkboard, but with his current fatigue, he actually felt relieved.
J slid in next to him at lunch with the facial expression of a thunder cloud, slamming his lunch cooler into place. He always brought his lunch, as did Nahele, but unlike Nahele, who usually packed leftovers, J cooked for himself. Even at sixteen, he was devoted to his athleticism and recognized the importance of nutrition. So Nahele was used to seeing his friend pull out a huge container of rice, chicken, sweet potato and broccoli. Today J just sat, his jaw set and his mouth creased in a hard line.
"What's wrong, man?" Nahele asked softly, not wanting to draw attention to his friend.
"Nothing. Just got off the phone with my dad who called to tell me what an idiot I am, that I can't pass that fucking driving test. Oh, and he and mom are officially getting a divorce, and dad's planning on moving to the mainland full-time with his girlfriend and her kids. Guess he's going to be fucking father of the year for them." J's hands were shaking.
Nahele noticed a couple people staring and he leveled them with a glare that had them immediately turning away. "Will you have to move?" He felt selfish even asking, but his heart ached at the idea of losing his friend.
J snorted. "No. Mom's apparently going to finish her assignment remotely and her sister is going to move in with us." He glanced over at Nahele. "It doesn't matter though. I think you're the only person who cares about where I live because you actually care about me."
Nahele nodded. "You're my ohana, man. My brother. I got your back."
"You have no idea how much that means." J swallowed. "Or actually, maybe you do. Damn, I wish we could kick ass at fight club tonight."
"You want to?"
"Yeah."
" Well, Kamekona doesn't need me to work tonight after all, so fight club it is."
J let out a sigh of relief and lowered his head down on the table. Nahele's phone alerted him to a text from Steve and he felt coinciding waves of guilt and relief: "I'm going to be off the island. Flying to North Kohala, Hawaii. Probably won't get back in until 2 or 3 am. Uncle Joe's in town, so message him if you need anything. Love you guys."
Nahele's struggle to focus continued to plague him during his remaining classes, although this time not due to fatigue, but because his conscience was strongly pricking him about his plans for the evening. If Steve hadn't closed out his text with "Love you guys" it wouldn't have been so bad. Regardless, Nahele knew he was now in the clear to go to the party, because if Steve was not even on the island, he was going to be too busy to require confirmation texts about Nahele's whereabouts. Myah was not going to be home either, as he was pretty sure that after she had regretfully agreed to avoid energy drinks, she had mentioned plans of meeting up with Delia that night to finish their project.
Nahele was still lost in his own thoughts when he ran into the mens room before his last class. He was briefly startled out of his reverie when the entire trash can was kicked onto its side and subsequent cursing ensued. Nahele turned and caught sight of a freshman kicking the can. "What the hell, man? It's not already disgusting enough in here for you?"
The younger teenager looked up, startled and took a step back, clearly intimidated by Nahele's presence. Nahele locked his gaze onto him. "Pick it up." He was momentarily distracted and also startled at how much he sounded like Steve.
"Okay, okay." The kid quickly pulled the trash can back upright and did a rather poor job of scooping the trash back in. Nahele chose to ignore this as he had just realized who he was dealing with. Within a couple strides, he was blocking the door.
"What's your name?"
"Hema. Look, sorry man, I was just pissed. It's not a big deal."
"I don't really care. Are you in the same group as my sister in Coleman's class?"
Before he even answered, Nahele knew he was right, the guilty look in the boy's eyes giving it away.
"Your… your sister?"
"Myah McGarrett."
"Uh… yeah, I am, but she's suspended right now, so…"
"Yeah, tell me about that."
"Look," Hema was clearly starting to panic. "I didn't know Rachel was going to pin that on her. And she promised she'd go to Homecoming with me if I helped her, but now she's going with Ollie, so it doesn't even matter."
"You got ditched by your girl? That sucks."
Hema nodded, looking thankful to have found a sympathetic ear. "After all I did, and I never told anybody what she did to her own aunt's car."
"You have any proof that she's the one that poured coke in the tank?"
"Yeah, I filmed it."
Nahele tried to hide his amazement at this admittance. "Seriously?"
"Yeah."
"Send me the video. Right now. I'll leave you out of it if I can, but there's no way I'm letting my sister take the fall for that shit. And you shouldn't take that crap either. Why would you want to go to Homecoming with someone like that?"
Hema shrugged and Nahele knew his lecture was falling on deaf ears, but the important thing was he now had hard evidence that would clear Myah's name. He let out a breath of relief when the video appeared through text. He was so pleased that he almost forgot which class he was now tardy for, but after receiving a pointed look from Haukea when he slipped into his seat, it all came rushing back.
"Do you have anything to turn in?" Her condescending tone grated painfully on his nerves, but he was saved from replying when Ms. Mahoe began to speak.
"As you all know, this was your final date to turn your rough draft in. Today we'll be watching a presentation from on how the process works and from several people who found out they had really interesting ancestors. I'm going to give the code out for the student discount at the end of class. I think you're all really going to enjoy this."
Nahele couldn't have disagreed more, and even as he only gave the video half his attention, it did nothing but increase the tension in his body. When Ms. Mahoe flipped the lights back on after the presentation, she asked for comments. "Nahele. What did you think?"
Knowing he had clearly been pegged, whether it was more for his lack of attention to the video or the fact that he hadn't turned in a rough draft, he didn't know, but Nahele straightened up in his chair. "I'm not a fan."
"I think you've made that pretty clear. Would you like to share why?" She did not sound pleased.
"Well…" Nahele felt Haukea's burning gaze. "I just disagree with all this ancestry, family tree stuff in general. I think you are who you are and you make your own choices about who you're going to be. I'm not going to use my ancestors as a crutch." As Nahele spoke, he felt his voice gaining strength, and he hoped with all his heart that what he was saying was true.
Ms. Mahoe frowned. "I think you're missing the point entirely here. It's very important to know where we come from as individuals and as was explained in this presentation, having this information was very helpful to a lot of people in explaining certain behaviors and tendencies. For instance alcoholism runs very heavily in my family, so I know to be careful. Doesn't that make sense?"
"I think it makes perfect sense, Ms. Mahoe." Haukea piped up. "I think some people are just afraid. Afraid of what they'll find out." There was a venom in her voice that Nahele hadn't heard before and when she turned around to look at him, he knew then that she knew. She knew what his original last name was and knew who his biological father was. He swallowed and dropped his gaze.
"Regardless of your feelings, completing your family tree is the assigned project. Your rough draft due today is worth 50%. It's your choice if you want to complete further research with MyGenes."
Nahele had no idea what was said during the rest of the class. The tension in his body was almost causing a buzzing in his ears. The bell couldn't ring soon enough. Nahele had just made it out the door when he felt someone grab his arm. He could have easily pulled free, but paused, knowing before he looked that it was Haukea.
"You know your dad almost destroyed my family." she snapped, all pretense of not knowing who he was, clearly gone. "When my Uncle Russ disappeared, my dad was so depressed he tried to kill himself. My mom got sick. I have no choice but to get perfect grades, because I have no chance at college without them. And from what I've seen, you're just like your dad. Lazy and trying to get by on lame excuses."
Nahele gaped at her, unable to respond. Even if he could have found the words, she was clearly uninterested, as she spun on her heel and disappeared down the hallway. Nahele somehow found his footing and managed to make his way to his car. He threw up right outside the driver's side door, and then collapsed inside. J joined him a few minutes later, slamming the door and then looking at Nahele with concern.
"You alright, man?"
"I need fight club."
H50 H50 H50
"I never eat dinner this late." Delia scooped that last bit of her pancakes into her mouth. "And it's definitely never pancakes."
"When I eat this late, it's usually cereal." Myah was happy to see her friend relaxed. "We finished our project though and that's definitely cause for celebration. Want to be crazy and get some shaved ice for dessert?"
"Or ice cream? There's that place on the beach, Shells n' Scoops that's amazing. If you're okay walking down there."
"I'm for it." Myah responded. "I haven't had ice cream in forever. Will your mom be okay picking us up down there?"
"Yeah, it's actually really close to the hotel where she works."
"Okay."
The girls paid their bill and strolled the few blocks down to the beach. It was nine o'clock but the sidewalks were still fairly busy and the beach was still full of life. Steve was strict about her bedtime during the week but less so when they were out on the beach with the team, so Myah was not entirely unfamiliar with the scene. She had never been out that late alone with just a friend, but Steve had told her she could work as late as she needed to with Delia on their project. Delia was going out of town that weekend so it had been their last chance and after working all afternoon and evening at the nearby library it was completed. Myah felt they'd more than earned their meal of breakfast for dinner and now ice cream for dessert. Having reached the aforementioned Shells n' Scoops, Myah happily ordered orange sherbet with marshmallow on top and Delia chose peanut butter banana with sprinkles.
"Sprinkles make everything more fun." she informed Myah. "Let's go sit over there." She indicated a retaining wall, and on Myah's nod they found a seat. Once seated, conversation was difficult as there appeared to be a large beach party made up of what looked like, mostly college aged kids. They were blasting music and dancing, with a fair amount of dramatic shrieking to go along with it. Both girls eyed the crowd curiously.
"That does not look fun at all." Delia said, dubiously. "You couldn't pay me enough."
Myah chuckled but she tended to agree. "It's not like they can even talk to each other over that music. I wouldn't…" Her voice trailed off and Myah felt her chest tighten at the sight in front of her.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"My… my brother's over there."
"I didn't know he was twenty-one."
"He's not."
"Well, there's definitely beer getting sloshed around."
Myah felt sick to her stomach, realizing that Delia was right. Nahele was dancing but his movement was different and out of character for his normal athletic rhythm. She watched him raise a can to his lips and although she couldn't read the label at the distance, she knew it wasn't soda. A familiar flash of red hair caught her eye, and she spotted her brother's best friend, also holding a can, and with two girls hanging on his arms.
"What is wrong with you guys?" she murmured.
"What are you going to do?" Delia asked.
"I guess go talk some sense into them." That was actually the last thing Myah wanted to do, but she couldn't think of a better option.
"My mom just texted…" Delia looked down at her phone. "She says to just walk over and meet her at the hotel. Are you coming?"
Myah bit her lip. "No… just tell your mom I'm getting a ride home with my brother."
"I don't think he's in any shape to drive."
"I know. I'll figure something out. I'll text you when I get home, okay?"
"I hate to leave you." Delia looked hesitant.
"It's okay. You can't really do anything."
"Okay." Still hesitant, Delia hopped down from the wall and slowly walked away. Not for the first time, Myah couldn't help but note that as nice as Delia was, she had no moxy in regards to hard situations. Grace and Sam would never have left her side. But they weren't here and she was, which meant she was going to need to deal with this disaster alone. Still unsure what she was going to do or say, Myah approached the crowd. The music was so loud she could hardly hear herself think. As was the norm for a beach party, there was very little clothing being worn and coming from a study date in a gray t-shirt knotted in the front and denim shorts, Myah knew she stuck out like a sore thumb. The sandy beach and what felt like a mosh pit of bodies, made it difficult to navigate.
"Hey there cutie…" A male voice slurred into her ear. Myah froze briefly and then pushed the rough hand off of her side.
"C'mon, don't ya want to dance?" Another person pressed into her.
Myah's heart was pounding into her head and as she turned towards Nahele, the first guy blocked her way and leaned down, his eyes red and his breath stinking of alcohol. It was horrifying but hesitating only briefly, Myah turned and hit him hard with the base of her palm, connecting solidly with the bottom of his nose, driving his face upward and back, just as Steve had taught her.
He howled and staggered backward. "You bitch!" Myah felt her stomach drop when the attention of several other people turned her way. People who judging by their expressions, were very clearly friends with the guy still holding his bloody nose. She realized the danger of a crowd and feeling even more terrified started to back up. A couple of the guys stepped towards her.
"Hey!" His voice was slurred but a familiar form suddenly appeared by her side. "Back off, she's my kid sister."
"This haole?! Figures. You're practically haole yourself!"
It happened so fast, that Myah was honestly not sure who threw the first punch, but suddenly there were fists flying, between Nahele and three other party-goers.
"Nahele!" Myah screamed, feeling like she was witnessing a dog fight and had no idea how to wade in to stop it. She took a step towards her brother, but suddenly felt herself picked up from behind and hauled to the edge of the crowd. It wasn't until he set her down, that Myah realized it was J. He didn't waste any time talking, but immediately stepped back into the fray. From what she could see it appeared that there were several people that were slightly more clear headed about where their party would end if they allowed the fist fight to continue and they managed to pull the boys apart. It seemed like an eternity but she finally made out J and Nahele stumbling towards her. As they approached her, she wasn't sure who was holding who up and wondered how J had managed to carry her out of the crowd, let alone grab her brother.
"You guys get out of here!" one of the other guys yelled at them and more than happy to acquiesce, Myah slid in underneath Nahele's other shoulder, wrapping one arm around his waist and grabbing his wrist with her other. They managed to get to the retaining wall where they collapsed in a heap, both boys laughing. Laughter was the furthest thing from Myah's mind and she glared at them.
"What is wrong with you guys?! Why are you here?! You're freakin' drunk!"
"Uh… that's because we were… drinking… sister." Nahele slurred sarcastically.
"Yep." J leaned against the concrete and gazed upward. "Man the stars look funny here."
"Cause you can't even see straight." Myah snapped.
"Don't be mad…" J reached over and patted her knee. "You're just a sweet, beautiful… girl."
"And you're drunk. So nothing you say matters." Myah felt tears press against her lids.
"Hey… don't cry. I don't like you to cry." Nahele said. "It's just too bad for you, you got me for a brother. Too bad…"
"You're going to be in so much trouble." Myah shook her head. "How are we going to get home? I guess I can call an uber."
"Naw…" Nahele pulled his keys from his pocket. "It's okay. My car's here."
Myah didn't wait to ask, but quickly snatched the keys from his hand.
"Hey… don't be a brat." Nahele growled.
"You're a very cute brat… but you're too little to drive." J said. His expression darkened and he spit on the ground. "And I can't drive because I'm an idiot."
Myah snorted, not entirely disagreeing with him at that moment and feeling completely done with the situation. "Where's your car, Nahele? Where'd you guys park?"
They responded with vague motions and after several attempts, Myah managed to haul them both to their feet and with one awkwardly on either side, they made their way towards several parked cars. Thankfully Nahele's car was not hard to find and Myah was sitting in the driver's seat before she'd even thought about it. Once there, her heart started to pound into her ears. She gripped the steering wheel. There was no doubt, this was a very poor choice. She looked over at Nahele, whose eyes were closed, his head leaning against the window. The skin around his left eye was flushed purple and his lower lip was busted. J was in the backseat, blood across his face, looking like he'd taken a good hit to the nose. His eyes were also closed.
Myah started the engine. She knew she shouldn't do this, but what choice did she have? Steve had said not to expect him home until the wee hours of the morning. She couldn't disturb his case. And Nahele would be in so much trouble. She had no idea about J at this point. From what she had gathered his father wasn't really around enough to care. But the two boys had become best friends. What if they were no longer allowed to hang out together? Myah recalled them coming to her defense even while drunk off their rockers. Did she owe it to them to try and take care of them now?
Feeling determined, Myah carefully put the car into reverse and backed out into the street. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel. Driving at night was a completely different experience with blinding headlights coming from seemingly all sides. When a car pulled out directly in front of her, she slammed on the brakes.
"Hey…" Nahele grumbled in discomfort from next to her.
Myah's heart was pounding from how close she'd come to being hit and the sound of honking came from behind her. Terrified, she pressed down on the gas and managed to pull into the parking lot of an apartment complex. Once parked, she rested her head on the steering wheel and tried to calm her breathing. Faces and their respective voices started to flash through her mind and Myah felt tears begin to fall.
Steve, his voice stern and punctuating each word with a swat to her behind. "Your. Safety. Comes. First."
Kono, with her smile that could light up a room. "Everyone makes a few choices that you regret. I certainly did, but it's all part of growing up. The important thing is, you learn from them."
Uncle Danny, tousling her hair. "You know I couldn't ask for a better best friend for Grace. I hope you realize how special you are. You're worth fighting for."
Chin, glancing back as they strode along the sidewalk. "You know, you really try to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, and maybe make some bad decisions because of it. We're ohana, Myah. We'll always have your back."
And then Steve again, the man she now called Dad without a second thought. "At the end of the day, you're my baby."
Taking a shuddering breath, Myah knew what she had to do and pulled her cell phone from her pocket. He answered on the second ring. "Myah?"
"Dad. I need you."
H50 H50 H50
Myah briefly pondered that in moments such as this, she might actually be more afraid of her Uncle Joe than she was of Steve. Joe had a way of appearing completely calm to the casual observer but with a look in his eyes that indicated that one word from Steve and he'd bend her over his knee and whip her right there in the parking lot. On the other hand, Steve's face was completely unreadable, and Myah had lived with him long enough to know that that meant he was so angry he was holding back all emotion, in order to not completely lose his mind.
"Ride with Danny." were the clipped words he sent her way, and Myah hurried to obey, thankful for the temporary reprieve. And so it was the unfortunate J that got loaded into the jeep with Uncle Joe, while Nahele's keys were quickly absconded by Steve.
Danny climbed into the driver's seat but Myah took one look at his face and couldn't bear the disappointment and so curled her body up into as tight a ball as she could. The car was horribly silent until they pulled into the driveway behind Steve and Nahele. Myah felt Danny's hand resting on her back. When he spoke, his voice was gentle. "Come on. I'm going to help your dad with your brother."
Myah stepped out of the car and without looking at Steve moved to hold the door open for them. Nahele could hardly stand at that point and Steve and Danny practically carried him inside and up the stairs. Unsure what to do, Myah collapsed onto the couch and curled up in a ball again. She felt Danny sink down next to her. "Hey MJ." he said softly. "I'm glad you're okay. I'm glad you called."
H50 H50 H50
Steve gazed down at his son, finally tucked into bed. He'd pulled Nahele's sandals and shorts off, but the teen had already been completely passed out. Steve reached down and gently touched the boy's blood streaked cheek. He'd never felt like such a failure. These kids had been through so much. They deserved better. A parent with more experience, who didn't get so caught up with work, who they could trust and who would help them work through their issues. Steve exhaled and stepped out of Nahele's bedroom.
As he descended back down into the living room he saw Danny sitting with Myah curled up against him. Danny was talking to her, his voice too low to understand. Steve fought the urge to order Myah up to bed. Partially because he knew that in the emotional state he was in, his tone was going to be all manners of harsh, and partially because he had determined not to allow fatigue to get the better of him again. Maybe if he hadn't sent Nahele to bed after punishing him Tuesday night, he would have gotten to the heart of the issue and they wouldn't be in their current position, with his son passed out drunk and both his kids lucky to be alive after Myah had attempted to drive. Steve certainly couldn't guarantee that Nahele wouldn't have tried to drive himself and J, had Myah not been there. Growling at the thought, he bypassed his daughter and partner on the couch and entered the kitchen, and set about making coffee.
Myah looked surprised when he handed her a cup of coffee along with Danny, as normally caffeine was certainly off limits this late in the day. Of course, she was usually sound asleep in bed by this time as well.
"Alright, kid." he said sternly, finally settling himself into a chair. "Tell me everything about tonight. What the hell happened?"
"Well…" Myah took a sip of the coffee and made a face. "Delia and I finished our project at the library and we were getting a late dinner and then going to walk over to the hotel where her mom works and was going to give us a ride home. You… you said it was okay to work late." Her voice trembled a little.
Steve nodded. "I did."
"We were just getting some ice cream and we saw a party on the beach. And I saw… Nahele and J."
"Did you know they were going to a party?" Steve was in no mood to dance around the topic.
"No. I promise. I thought Nahele was work-" her voice trailed off and Steve glowered at her, warning her silently not to try and protect him.
"I thought he was working late tonight." Myah finished, Steve's glare obviously having its desired effect. "But… um… I decided I should get them and we got to the car and…" Myah shifted back and forth uncomfortably and Steve could see her tears threatening to fall.
"And you did what?"
"I decided to drive them." Myah whispered. "I know it was a really bad choice and I knew it as soon as I pulled onto the road. All the lights at night and the traffic made it so much harder, so I pulled into the parking lot. And called you."
Steve nodded, figuring he knew the details of the story from that point forward. He felt he had gotten enough information from her and now fatigue was once again threatening to overtake him. He decided he could go ahead and send her to bed. "Alright kid, we'll deal with this in the morning. Go to sleep."
Myah stood but looked a little surprised at the reprieve. Seeing the unspoken question on her face, Steve shook his head. "I'm too tired tonight and honestly I'm afraid I'd whip you too hard. So unless Danny wants to do it…" His partner shook his head no, "We'll deal with it tomorrow. Beat it." He jerked his head towards the stairs and Myah quickly obeyed.
Steve waited until he heard Myah's bedroom door close and then collapsed forward with his head on his hands and groaned. "Danny what am I even doing? I am such a failure."
Danny exhaled. "I won't deny this is a rough night. But you're not a failure."
"Clearly I am. My kids are struggling so hard and I have no idea how to help them. They could have gotten themselves killed tonight."
"I know. I know." Steve felt Danny's hand on his shoulder. "And I am so beyond thankful that they are both safe in their beds right now. But you're not a failure. As far as Myah is concerned, she left some details out of her story."
Steve jerked his head upright. "She did?!"
"Don't freak out. They're not vital to the sequencing of events, but I think it's important for you to hear. I asked her why she decided to call you, because she doesn't have a great track record of backing down from bad decisions. She said she heard your voice, and then Kono's and then mine, then Chin's, then yours again, all reminding her of things she's learned this week and since coming to live with you. With the most important things, being that she's loved and that she's not alone and never will be. She said she thought about you telling her she'd always be your baby. She decided to trust you on that and she called you."
Steve couldn't stop his own tears at this point. His head was resting back in his hands and as he leaned forward the floor blurred in front of him. "Okay. So maybe she'll be okay. But Nahele…"
"...Obviously made some very poor choices tonight and we have got to figure out what's going on. If we can't help our own family when there's detective work to be done, then what good are we? But regardless Steve, underage drinking at a party is not a rare thing. I did it. Kono did it. I don't know about Chin and I don't know how things worked at a military boarding school…"
"I did it." Steve answered shortly. "I stole a car too."
"Well…" Danny huffed. "Like father, like son apparently."
Steve felt a hint of a smile cross his lips.
"But it's going to be okay, man. It's going to be okay."
Steve had to replay Danny's words in his mind several times throughout the night, but at the end of the day, he did trust his partner.
He allowed himself and the kids to sleep in, which was a rare occurrence. Myah got up first and found him in the study around 9. She hesitated at the entryway.
"Come here, baby." Steve said, opening his arms to her. She obeyed immediately, climbing into his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. He held her there for quite a while, until finally she sat up straight. "Hey." Steve said to her seriously. "You are still in trouble for last night, and this morning is going to suck, but I need you to trust me."
Myah nodded, looking confused.
It was around 10 that Nahele slowly made his way down the stairs. Steve handed him water and headache medicine without a word and Nahele downed the whole bottle immediately. Other than the television, the house stayed silent until about ten thirty. Deciding it was time for the reckoning, Steve got up from the study and nodded at Myah to turn the tv off. She obeyed and then sank down next to Nahele on the couch, shooting her brother a nervous look.
Nahele's expression was unreadable. The shower had washed the blood and sand away but his face was still bruised and swollen and his eyes were bloodshot. Steve sat down in front of them and fixed Nahele with his stare. "You got anything to say? Any excuses at all?"
Nahele shook his head. "No. I screwed up. I am a screw up. I don't even know." His face was hard and Steve could see him throwing up mental barriers as though they were made of brick.
"No. You don't just lie to me about where you are…"
"I didn't lie."
Steve's lips parted slightly in amazement. "You were supposed to be at work."
"It got canceled last minute because the vendors all had to be 21."
Steve glowered at him. "Then you know damn well, that meant you were supposed to be at home. Don't even try that with me. So you went to a party, that you know you never would have gotten permission to go to, where you got drunk and then put yourself, your friend and your little sister's lives at risk by getting back in the car."
Nahele was starting to tremble as Steve spoke and he watched him press his lips together in what was clearly an attempt to control it. Steve remembered the one thing Nahele had told him earlier that week. "Why were you angry? What made you angry?!" Steve deliberately allowed his tone and his voice to raise and when Nahele responded, he matched it.
"Because I'm a screw up! Okay! Maybe it doesn't matter what you teach me, or that I just want to be like you! I only want to be like you! But Kaili didn't care about people. What if it's in my DNA that no matter how hard I try…"
Steve saw Nahele's fists clenching with the clear need to relieve the tension in his body or he would explode. Moving quickly, Steve grabbed Myah's wrist and pulled her over to the chair he had just vacated. "Sit. Nahele, come here." Grabbing his boy by the arm, Steve pulled him up and then shoved him over the end of the couch. "Bend over now." Steve rapidly unbuckled his belt and moved next to his son, placing his hand onto his back. Without a word, he brought his belt across Nahele's backside three times, hard. Somewhat caught off guard, Nahele gasped and then yelped in pain.
"The fact is this, son." Steve laid two more swats across Nahele's bottom. "We all make mistakes as we learn and grow and that doesn't stop when you become an adult." Steve paused his words to smack his boy three times. The swats were rapid fire and Nahele had started to cry out, and Steve kept a firm hand on his back to make sure he stayed in place. "But your choices are your own. I'm not punishing Kaili right now. Kaili didn't go get drunk at a party and get into a car with his sister driving. You did, so you are taking the punishment. DNA only takes us so far, and I don't ever want to hear you using it as a crutch. You own your choices, you understand me? You are my son, Nahele John McGarrett." Nahele was gasping in pain but Steve didn't stop until he'd counted to fifteen which amounted to the harshest punishment he'd ever given.
When Nahele stiffly stood up, both he and Steve paused and looked at Myah. Steve had deliberately positioned her so she had a full view of what was going on, and she had curled up in a ball and was sobbing her heart out. Steve felt his own heart twist at the sight and glancing at Nahele, saw that seeing his sister crying was having more of an impact on the mental barriers than even getting whipped with Steve's belt had. Steve hesitated, but decided it was time to drive things home. "Come here, Myah." he said, gently but firmly, and knowing in her emotional state, she was going to struggle to move, he reached out and pulled her up by the arm.
With his hands on her shoulders, he guided her over to the end of the couch. "Nahele, sit." Steve commanded firmly, jerking his head towards the chair Myah had just vacated.
Looking stricken at what he was about to witness, Nahele slowly attempted to lower himself down onto the chair, gasping as his tender flesh met the hard surface. Steve looked Myah straight in the eye. "You, young lady… unless I've given you express permission, you will never get behind the wheel of a car again, do you understand?" He gave her a little shake to emphasize his words. Still crying, she nodded and Steve pushed her over the end of the couch. Placing his hand on the small of her back he picked up his belt again.
Myah was broken before he'd laid the first swat, already limp and sobbing, but Steve steeled himself and smacked her hard, three times across her upturned bottom and twice across her legs. He kept his primary focus on his daughter as he didn't want to risk hitting her anywhere other than her bottom and upper thighs, but in his peripheral vision he watched Nahele. With every swat he gave Myah, Nahele winced as though he'd been hit himself.
Tossing his belt down her pulled her to her feet. "Alright. I'm not going to whip you with my belt anymore, but you're getting the rest of your spanking over my knee."
"No."
Steve looked over at Nahele who had stiffly risen to his feet. "What'd you say?"
"I said no. Please don't, dad. She doesn't deserve anymore. She didn't deserve any in the first place. She was just trying to protect me and I failed. I'm her big brother and I promised to protect her but I didn't."
"So what are you saying?" Steve asked softly.
"I'm saying I'll take the rest of her spanking. Just give it to me. Please."
For the first time that morning Steve felt his posture relax. "Alright. Myah, go wait upstairs."
Looking heartsick, she turned and threw her arms around Nahele, before making her way slowly upstairs. Steve looked at Nahele, who winced with any movement. Deciding that he needed to keep an eye on Nahele's skin, he nodded. "Shorts off."
"Okay." Nahele gasped as he slid his loose canvas trunks off and kicked them to the side of the room. Taking his arm, Steve sat on the couch and gently guided his son over his knees. With Nahele's height and muscular frame it was awkward but Steve didn't back down. He was confident enough in his own strength that he knew this punishment would suck by itself, even to Nahele, but to be on the receiving end after getting whipped, was going to be rough.
Steve started to administer the spanking, laying swats across Nahele's backside, alternating sides, and allowing time in between each smack to allow the full sting to take effect. Steve didn't know if it was the pain or the childish position he was in, but it didn't take long before Nahele was sobbing, his posture broken and his shoulders shaking. The skin of his upper thighs had turned a deep red.
Feeling emotionally exhausted himself, Steve gently rubbed Nahele's back, and leaning forward, hugged his son to his chest. Nahele managed to slide awkwardly off Steve's lap and let out a groan of misery when he lowered himself down onto the couch.
Steve put his arm around him. "Everyone makes mistakes," he said softly. "But it takes a strong man, a good man, to own up to his actions and take steps to make things right. I'm proud of you."
At those words, Nahele collapsed against Steve's chest and cried, clearly releasing tension and tears that had been held back for a long time. Steve didn't say anything, not wanting Nahele to feel pressure to calm sooner than he needed to.
"I'm… I'm so sorry dad." he said finally. "I just want to be like you. But I'm so scared… At school we're supposed to do this big family tree project. It's supposed to be our biological family because the teacher thinks it's really important we know what tendencies and stuff we have. But I don't want to be like Kaili. And there's this girl, Haukea, and she's such a jerk, but it was her uncle that Kaili killed that day I was in the car. I have to look at her every day and be reminded of what's in my family history."
Steve exhaled slowly, partially relieved that he was finally getting the whole story and also a little shocked at the details. He hadn't been far off the mark, but he had not been close to putting together those pieces. "That sucks. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with that."
Nahele looked up at him, seeming surprised at the sympathy in Steve's voice.
"Especially regarding Haukea. I had no idea. There is no easy way to deal with a situation like that, but the fact is, you were only seven when that happened. There is nothing about that that is your fault. And she probably has no idea that if not for you, they'd still have no idea what happened to her uncle."
Nahele shrugged. "That's true. I hadn't thought to mention that."
"Did you even think about it, yourself?"
"No."
"Is this why you're opposed to Joanie talking to her grandparents?"
"Yeah."
"Do you remember what I told you in regards to that situation?"
"That you'd checked them out and they're just more people to love and support her as she grows up."
"That's right. And if I didn't think they would love and support her, if I'd gotten any inclination that they might hurt her, I wouldn't allow for any contact. Blood only goes so far. Even with me and my mom… I can't even bring myself to call her that. It might be childish, but it's really hard for me to call the person that deliberately caused me so much pain and lied about basically everything, mom."
Nahele looked up at him. "That really hurt you… being lied to."
"Yeah. It did. It does."
"I'm really sorry dad. I never wanted to hurt you." His voice started to choke up again, and Steve tightened his hold on him.
"It's okay. It's okay, son. I love you." Steve felt Nahele relax against him and a feeling of relief swept through his system as well. Danny was right. They were going to be okay.
Picking up his phone, he texted Myah. "Get your butt back down here." He heard her door open and Myah tentatively looked over the railing, and seeing their respective positions, didn't waste any time in joining them, immediately curling up on Steve's other side. They all sat quietly for a moment and then Steve gently kissed the top of Nahele's dark head and then Myah's brown one.
"So I'll be honest with you two… I don't actually feel like I know what I'm doing sometimes as your dad. A lot of the time, actually. But one thing I can say with 100% certainty is that I will never give in or give up on our family. It's the most important thing in this world to me."
"Me too." Nahele said quietly, his voice now filled with firm resolve.
"Me too." Myah agreed.
"Alright… I don't know about you two, but I could use some food. Omelets?" Steve stood and started to rethread his belt, while also kicking Nahele's shorts towards him.
Myah thoughtfully turned her face away, but spoke up. "So is this going to be a thing, big brother? I screw up and you get the spankin'?"
Steve rolled his eyes, but was glad to hear a hint of her normal sass returning to her voice.
"No." Nahele scoffed. "And if you're going to be a brat, I'm going to keep a certain video to myself."
"A video?"
"Yeah. I now have on my phone a recording of the culprit trashing Coleman's car… and she doesn't look like you."
Steve raised his eyebrows, pleased with this news. "You serious?"
"Yeah."
"How'd you get it?" Myah asked in amazement.
"My natural…" Nahele let out a gasp of pain as he pulled his shorts on and his last word reached a heightened pitch. "Intimidation! Ow!"
Having all been on the receiving end of that kind of discipline, no one in the room thought the situation was funny or judged Nahele for being in pain. But somehow the high pitch of his voice coupled with what he had just said, broke any last tension, and Steve was thankful to hear laughter from all three of them.
H50 H50 H50
Steve caught a whiff of the marinade he had just poured over several chicken breasts and thighs and nodded in satisfaction. He pressed the rubber cover over the glass baking dish and set it in the fridge. He pulled an onion and several bell peppers out of the drawer and after washing them, began to slice and dice. He was about half-way through his task when a knock could be heard from the front door. Steve dried his hands on a towel and tossed it over this shoulder, as he headed into the living room. He wasn't expecting anyone and his team members generally knocked and then let themselves in.
The small glass window on the door revealed a flash of familiar red hair and when Steve pulled the door open, he found J standing on the porch, his shoulders tense and his hands shoved in his pockets.
"J." Steve greeted, his voice serious. "Nahele's helping Myah mow her lawns." Myah had three neighbors that regularly employed her to keep their lawns mowed and trimmed. Nahele had decided he'd rather be moving then sitting on his sore backside and had offered to help her get it done in one day, so they could potentially go hiking on Sunday. "And this should come as no surprise to you, but they're both grounded."
"Yes, sir." J said quietly. "I actually wanted to talk to you, if that's okay."
Steve stepped back from the doorway, allowing room for entry. J stepped inside.
"How'd you get here?"
"Uh… there's that bus stop. It's only about a mile and a half walk."
Steve nodded, trying to quickly gauge the nature of this conversation, so that he could decide the best location to have it. J looked nervous, and the tension in his body was very reminiscent to what Nahele's had been. Steve motioned the teenager into the study and jerked his head towards the chair his own son normally sat in. "Have a seat." Steve perched on the edge of the front of his desk and observed J having the same reaction of discomfort that his kids did. He was shifting back and forth, and he was making a valiant attempt at controlling his breathing. Steve folded his arms across his chest and waited.
"I…uh… thanks for letting me come in." J said finally.
Steve nodded.
"I just wanted to apologize to you. I'm really sorry about Friday night. I made some really bad choices just because I had a crap day. Nahele really only went to that party to have my back, and Myah…" J swallowed. "I know I put her in danger, and I feel like shit about that. That's not who I want to be. So I just wanted to come to you and tell you I'm sorry, and ask you to please let me and Nahele still be friends. He's my best friend."
Steve eyed his son's friend. J had lowered his head and Steve was pretty sure it was to hide the glint of tears that had threatened to make an appearance. While making omelets, Nahele had given him more details regarding the school day, including the news J had received at lunch regarding his parents. Steve had no intention of excusing the choices they'd made that night, but he certainly admitted that they'd both legitimately had days from hell. It had certainly confirmed his guess that Carter Aarons hadn't changed at all since school and was still a bully.
"What'd your dad say about the party?"
J shrugged. "He didn't care."
"Okay. Well, in my opinion the biggest issue between you and me, is that you played a part in putting yourself, my son… and my little girl in a situation that could have gotten you all killed."
"Yes, sir." J nodded, misery evident in his tone and face.
"But I do respect a guy that comes to talk to me man to man and takes full responsibility for his actions."
At those words, J looked up at Steve.
"Here's how it's going to work. You're not mine, so I don't really have any right, except that you're Nahele's best friend and you've been spending a lot of time at my house. So I tell you what, you're still welcome, but something like this happens again… especially if it compromises yours, or anyone else's safety, and I will wear out your ass right alongside Nahele's. And if you want to keep showing your face here, you'll thank me for doing it. We clear, son?" Steve allowed the full strength of his gaze to zero in on the teenager in front of him.
J's eyes were wide, but the tension had started to leave his shoulders. "Yes, sir. We're clear."
They both stood upon hearing the sound of the back door slamming. Nahele and Myah were both covered in grass and dirt, and Steve noticed Nahele moving quite gingerly. Myah was grabbing boxes of coconut water out of the fridge and Nahele was the first to notice his friend. "J?"
"Uh, yeah, I was just leaving." J said quickly.
Steve sighed and tossed him a lighter. "No, go light the grill. One of you can use my shower if you want." Myah shot him a warm smile, while both Nahele and J looked amazed.
"I can stay?" J asked.
"Yeah. Your combat breathing needs some serious work."
"Yes, sir." J and Nahele were both grinning as they exited the kitchen, one heading to the grill and the other to the shower.
Myah put the coconut water back in the fridge and then leaning back against the counter, eyed Steve.
"Can I help you?" he asked dryly.
"You know, contrary to what you apparently think, you're an awesome dad. The best dad."
"Thanks kid."
"You do kind of suck at actually grounding us though."
Steve's eyes widened in amazement and he turned to face her. Her dark eyes glinted with a teasing note.
"I mean, I personally have very fond memories of every time you've grounded me. And I'm not sure that's the point."
"You want me to take you over my knee again right now, and rectify the situation?"
Myah squeaked and backed away from him. "No, no, I'm good." The moment he stopped advancing, she threw herself back towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I love you, dad."