"You and me both," he laughed, leaning back in the seat for a second before reaching out to cut the engine. The Hondayota rumbled back into silence, and Adam slipped out again.

Lately, there was just something about the islands that made him feel decent. Not blessed, per se, but like he was on the right track. He had a couple of friends - not the ones from back home, but still - a home, a car, a shop. A couple of good jobs. He'd done a lot of stuff for himself, and he was attacking the mystery of the islands head-on. He was allowed to give himself a break.

"So when'd you get back?"