Free Saving Grace by Kimberly McKay

stranger, and didn’t know how to respond.  She clutched the tissue in her hand and sat silent.
    Lelani understood.  “Look, if you want to board that plane.  You can do so now.  It’s your life and your choice.  But…” Lelani paused and gently touched Grace’s hand.  “If you need to get away from something or someone … then this is your time to step away no questions asked.  And your luggage is the only thing you’ll miss as it’s already on the plane … and that’s just stuff.”
    Grace’s frame relaxed for the first time in hours.  More tears poured from underneath her glasses.  She used the tissue to wipe them away and then looked to the attendant’s nametag. 
                  “Lelani?” Her voice was a hoarse whisper.
                  “Yes.”  Lelani’s eyes were starting to tear up too.  She smiled warmly at Grace and squeezed her hand.
                  “Bless you.  You’re my angel. I can just take my carry on bag and go?”
                  “Yes.  Consider it a missed flight. Okay?” 
                  Grace let out a deep sigh and slumped back into her chair.  Slowly, the anxiety she’d been carrying began to release from the center of her chest.  Grace felt free for the first time in days. 
    The thought of the safe haven Lelani was offering felt like she’d been given a second lease on life.  Not only was she grateful that she was free from Zach’s bizarre and brutal behavior, but she also felt free from Lilah’s rules and rein. 
    Emotional shackles she wasn’t even aware that she had, until that moment, fell away leaving her feeling like she could breathe without anyone telling her how to do it.
                  “Mahalo, Lelani.”  Grace used the only Hawaiian she knew.
                  “Enjoy your stay in Hawaii, Miss Grace.”  Lelani had checked her ticket, so she knew her name. 
                  Grace turned and left the concourse, not sure where she was going.  She was on limited time.  She knew Zach would be livid as the plane taxied away – without her.  She also knew he’d call Lilah as soon as they landed.
                  Grace headed to the first ATM she found and withdrew as much cash as she could, and then left to find another taxi cab.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 10
     

 
    Nathanial Davis Burkette sat on his back porch pondering on how long the tourist would sit on his beach.  Burke, who recently got out of the Marines, now lived on Kailua beach in his buddy’s guest home.  And in exchange for rent – he watched and maintained the property.
    Normally this time of day, Burke would go for a run, but today’s weather wasn’t inspiring and he needed to paint the fence along the front of the home and clean up some fallen coconuts.
    While getting his paint supplies out, he sat on the back porch studying this frail young woman, who quietly sat staring at the ocean.  Kailua beach wasn’t private property … but he felt he had claim to his back yard, as his home sat right off the sand.
    Burke observed her grab tissues from her purse to wipe away tears.  He paused before opening up his paint can, taking a second to empathize with her.
    What the hell was she doing all the way out here by herself?  She wasn’t local, as she had a carry-on and her purse sitting in the sand next to her, yet tourists didn’t frequent this area often.  They usually stayed on Waikiki or North Shore.
    He took one last look before forcing the lid off his paint with an old beat up screwdriver.  He told himself not to get involved.  She’d move along soon enough. 
    He shook his head, relenting to let go of mulling it over, until he saw a local boy walking with definite intent down the beach toward this young girl, who had her belongings sitting out for anyone to snatch and run.
    He saw the