I met a local woman yesterday
who had moved with her husband
from Hawai‘i to California
to find a better life.
Her husband had family there
so their support system was strong.
One night they threw
a family party at their house,
and while she was inside cooking,
she heard gunfire.
Rushing outside,
she found that her husband’s brother
had killed him
for no reason ever determined.
She moved back to Hawai‘i,
a widow,
to escape the nightmare there.
“It’s been six years,” she said, “and I’m still grieving.”
Her voice faltered and her eyes watered,
and I thought about how
a good life was lost.
Lanning Lee 