�Aloha dear!�

Mark�s mother. Wondering what might have inspired her to call, especially after the past few strange days she�s experienced, Chelsie asked warily �Is everything all right?�

�Good heaven�s yes! Why would you ask that?�

Chelsie sighed in relief and settled herself on the arm of the sofa so that she could watch Leilani as she talked. �I�ve had a weird week, actually, not even a week, just the last few days.�

�What�s the matter dear?�

Chelsie explained about Leilani supposedly speaking with Mark, about her own realistic dream, finding things that she had hidden away and Leilani�s questions about Mark�s death.

�There is the belief in Hawaiian culture that the spirit never leaves us, dear, I�ve told you before that Mark is going to look after Lani.�

�I know, but it�s just�I feel like I�m meant to find something. Like, why would I be finding all these things now? After five years?�

�Why did you hide these things away? Are they Mark�s things?�

Chelsie chewed on her thumbnail as she thought. She wasn�t sure why she had done it for the most part. Most people would just get rid of the things that belonged to a loved one after they died. �I don�t know. Some things, I�I keep some things out, like pictures. You know I want Lani to know all about Mark. I would never keep anything like that from her. But all his things, his clothes, his�stuff�I couldn�t bear to throw it away, so I just packed it all up and stored it in the basement.�

�But what about anything relating to the two of you�together?�

�I have pictures.� Chelsie said, hesitantly, before realizing that there was maybe one photo of her and Mark together displayed anywhere in the house. She�d put away all the videos from the show too. She could never bear to watch them after Mark left her.

�I think maybe you need to listen to what Mark is trying to tell you. He�s giving you clues, just follow them.�

�You really think he�s here?�

�Of course! Honey, it�s nothing to be scared of. It�s just Mark.�

�I�I know. It�s just�ghosts aren�t really accepted in my culture.� Chelsie explained, the excuse sounding lame to her own ears.

�Follow the clues, honey. Listen to what Mark wants to tell you.�

The women concluded their conversation by discussing Leilani and how she was coming along with her dancing, and her pre-school classes. Chelsie hung up, promising to call back in a week or so and report on any new developments.

�You were talking a long time, mommy.� Leilani never even looked up from her paper.

�It was your Nana Kane.� Chelsie explained, using Leilani�s childish term of endearment for her grandmother.

�Nana Kane! I want to talk to her!� Leilani tossed her crayon to the table in protest.

�You can talk next time.� Chelsie soothed. �Nana Kane and mommy had serious things to talk about today.�

Leilani wrinkled up her brow in frustration, but nodded her head firmly at the same time. �I talk next time!�

�Of course you can honey! Nana Kane misses you lots.�

�I miss her too.� Leilani pouted.

Chelsie smiled as she gathered Leilani in her arms. �Maybe we�ll start to plan a trip to go see everyone in Hawaii soon, how would that sound?�

�Could we visit daddy?�

�That will be the first place we go.� Chelsie promised, tears shining in her eyes. Every time they had visited Hawaii, their first stop had been a visit to Marks� grave. Chelsie always brought flowers for Leilani to place at the site and a cinnamon bun. She would eat half as she sat and talked to Mark or simply watched Leilani run and play. The remaining half - Mark's half - she would leave for the birds. Leilani had never been old enough to remember their visits though. Maybe it was time for them to go back.

Leilani hugged her mother, rubbing her back gently. �Daddy says he�s sorry. Mommy why is daddy sorry?�

Chelsie stifled a cry. �I don�t know, honey. Is he here?�

�Yup. He says he knows you need someone to love you.� Leilani scrunched up her nose. �That�s silly. I love you mommy.�

Chelsie hugged Leilani tightly as she began to weep openly. �I know you do sweetie, I know you do.�

�Daddy says�� Leilani cocked her head as if she were listening. Chelsie stared but the only other person in the room was herself. �Daddy says he doesn�t want�.� Leilani stopped, her face showing impatience. �You�re going too fast, daddy. He doesn�t want you sad. He wants to talk. But he�� Leilani paused again. �Daddy that is a big word!�

Mark�s mother had said to follow the clues. Maybe it was time to do just that. Chelsie picked up a crayon and handed it to Leilani. �Draw me a picture of how he looks, baby. Maybe that will help.�

Leilani giggled. �You want a picture of daddy?�

Chelsie nodded quickly, afraid she might change her mind. �You�ve never drawn me one of daddy. I�d like to put it up in my office.�

Leilani busily scribbled away, every now and then peering up to look at the dining room wall with a smile then quickly ducking her head back down to begin drawing again. Whenever Chelsie tried to steal a peek, she got yelled at �No peeking!�

�I need colours.� Leilani held out her hand and Chelsie pushed her crayon box into it. �Daddy likes colours.�

Chelsie smiled faintly. She watched Leilani colour, filling her picture in carefully. Finally Leilani pushed the photo over to her. �Here, mommy.�

Chelsie picked the paper up slowly, almost afraid to look at it. She lifted it before her eyes and gasped. Leilani had drawn a crude, 5 year olds rendition of a man with messy black hair that was sticking up on his head, brown eyes, long legs and a sad looking smile. He was wearing black pants and a purple and black striped v-neck shirt � one of his favourites. Matter of fact, he�d been buried in it.