FAMILY BUSINESS

Fetu had a problem with women. While growing up his mother taught him to make jewelry out of brightly colored shells and rocks. It was something she had done most of her life and wanted to pass on the knowledge. Fetu was an only child, so the knowledge fell on him. He didn't mind; he loved his mother and enjoyed the time they spent together. His early designs were childish and crude, but when you practice something for twenty years, you get better. Now his creations were breathtakingly beautiful and highly sought after. Fetu was one of the best jewelry makers on the island, and the only male one.

He made necklaces, earrings, hair combs, pendants, and charms. He did custom work and was always looking for new ways to incorporate his magnificent shells into something. This was how he spent his days on PukaPuka, creating beauty. It was how he made his way, selling or trading things he made for things he needed. Most of the time it was food. Of course he fished; nearly everyone on PukaPuka fished, but you can only eat so many fish. As a result, too many women brought him food. They brought more food than one person needed. Food was delivered more often than necessary.

Fetu walked the beaches each morning looking for new shells, shell pieces, and brightly colored rocks. In the afternoons he wove coconut fibers into tightly braided string called coir. In the evening, he shaped the broken shell pieces until they were smooth and uniform in size. His hut was full of rounded shell bits just waiting to find their brightly colored mates. He had a few specialty tools to help him grind down the edges of the shells. Fetu had a small table inside with candles for when he worked early or late. Outside was a big table he used during the day if it wasn't too hot. Sitting on the table outside was a two-faced coconut named Na'au.

Na'au is an island word meaning mind, heart, and feeling. One side of the coconut was painted black, with two white eyes and a frown. The other side was painted white, with two black eyes and a smile. It was a gift from his friend Mano. A few years ago, Fetu complained about the nonstop visitors and distractions. Mano was back the next day with the gift. Black side facing out meant no visitors. White side facing out meant visitors were welcome. It helped quite a bit, but nothing is perfect. The occasional naked women still climbed into his bed in the middle of the night to see if he was hungry.

That is why Fetu was walking the beach a bit early this morning. Last night Dahlia slipped into his bed and was touching him in very nice ways before he woke up. When she spoke, Fetu jumped out of bed so fast he knocked over a table. Dahlia was 82 years old, short on teeth, and known as 'The old canoe'. Anyone could ride.

"I was good nuf for yer gran-daddy, and good nuf for yer pappy, and I'd like me some earrings," she said.

Fetu asked her to leave twice and then told her to leave twice before she got the hint. The whole time she kept negotiating what task she would perform for each item of jewelry. Luckily, she only covered pendant, bracelet, and earrings before Fetu stopped her. Fetu shuddered to think what she would have offered for the long necklaces. He had already gone for a swim in the ocean and scrubbed himself with coral. He kept laughing to himself and hoped nobody saw her enter or leave his hut. He would be tortured over this.

The morning fog was just burning off when Fetu noticed something out on the ocean. He stopped and watched a few minutes; Dahlia all but forgotten. It was a small boat. As he watched he caught movement and saw the occupants rowing with paddles. It was hard to see how many people, but at least a few. He watched until he had a good idea of where they would end up on the island. Fetu turned and headed back towards the village. He needed to inform Mano. They had visitors.