Chapter 14: Twin Falls & The Ballet Dancer

The plane touched down in Kahului, Maui, under a bright morning sky. Ryan and Madison collected their bags and headed straight to the rental counter, where they picked up a bright red convertible. The top was already down, and the warm tropical breeze felt perfect against their skin as they drove toward Paia.

Momona Bakery and Coffee Shop sat right on the main road, its windows open to the street. They ordered a Lilikoi croissant with its tart passion-fruit filling, a breakfast sandwich layered with bacon, provolone, avocado, and scrambled egg on a flaky croissant, two lattes made from the house-roasted blend, and a cinnamon roll that crossed between flaky layers and sweet spice. They split everything at a small table outside, feeding each other bites and laughing when crumbs stuck to their chins. Madison wrapped half the cinnamon roll in a napkin and tucked it into her bag for later.

“That was so good,” she said, licking a bit of icing from her thumb. “I feel ready for anything now.”

They drove the winding road to Twin Falls, parked, and started the short walk to the lower falls. The path was quiet, the air thick with the smell of wet earth and flowers. At the lower pool they paused to watch the water tumble, then Madison pointed upward. “Let’s hike to the upper falls. The book said the trail is short but steep.”