Chapter 33
The Boys Reunite

Ahi and Aiko emerged from the hut, stunned looks on their face. As they started to walk back towards the fire, their wives ran to them and threw their arms around their necks. Hugging each tightly, the two brothers looked at each other and caught Piku and Coen eyes. They each gave the other a small nod and one by one, grabbing tools on the way, walked to the side of the mountain and started to chip away a piece of stone. They knew what needed to be done. There was no question. They would honor their friend, their father, the same way he had honored his sister.

Again, the men worked through the day and night, only stopping for a drink of water and a quick bite of food. They would not rest, they wouldn't sleep until their masterpiece was complete. Noa stayed with Tarita and Tiki that night in their hut as they comforted their mother. Noa and Obi's hut remained empty of life for the moment. Noa amazed everyone with her strength. Although tears never left her face, she was in complete control. She awoke the next morning to find that her friends had already prepared the tribes' breakfast. She was brought a plate of food to the hut and ate with her daughters. Obi's tribute was not yet finished and her sons did not want her to see it before it was finished. As people came and went from the hut that day offering condolences, she held herself together.

Just after lunch, Mua came to the hut. She hugged her friend tightly and told her it was time to lay Obi to rest. She helped Noa dress. Mua had retrieved Noa's wedding gown from their hut. Azizi and Solo picked flowers for their mothers hair. By the time Mua finished with Noa, she looked just as she had so many years ago on her wedding day, although her hair was a little greyer and her face showed more lines. She emerged from the hut and walked, with the help of Mua and Piku to the open grave. As she approached, she saw the tombstone for the first time and nearly lost her footing.

"Here lies Obi

Beloved Husband to Noa
Father to Ahi, Tarita, Tiki, Aiko, Azizi, and Solo
Grandfather and Elder
Patriarch of the Tribe
Provider to all

He was loved by all
He will never be forgotten
He will always be celebrated."

Piku reached out and steadied Noa. Together, with Mua on her other side, she walked the rest of the way to join her children. Piku left Mua with Noa and went to Obi's hut. He emerged a few minutes later with Ahi, Aiko and Coen carrying Obi high above their shoulders, wrapped in a blanket. As they approached the grave, they stopped in front of Noa and carefully lay him down at her feet. They slowly pulled the blanket back to show her that he had been dressed in the same handsome outfit he had worn at their wedding. Noa was overwhelmed and collapsed on the ground to kiss her husband one last time. Ahi moved to help his mother back up. As she rose, she reached out and placed a necklace on his chest. It was not as stunning as her own, but knowing that she would soon loose her husband, Noa had tried her best over the last few months to create a necklace for him as well. She wanted Obi to know, as he watched her from above, that she would always love him.

The four men pulled the blanket back over Obi's face and slowly laid him in his grave. After everyone had their moment and laid their flowers, Ahi and Aiko started to cover the grave. Tarita, Tiki and Mua led Noa away, all four women with tears in their eyes. Mua told Noa that she was taking her to the girls hut and Noa stopped, finding strength. "No" she said. "I want to be alone tonight. I want to be in the hut where Obi and I lived our lives, raised out children." She looked hard at Mua. "Please take me to our hut." Mua studied her face for a moment, the nodded and changed directions.

That night, Noa lay alone and cried herself to sleep.