My vacation was fantastic.

I had nothing to do and great weather to enjoy at my beachside shack, and plenty of company since my friend Karen and her daughter Anna were staying. They had packed for a picnic this morning and we all went to the beach for brunch. It was a nice quiet beach, partly due to it being situated in Maui, the less popular, yet still populated island. My little slice of heaven was worth millions due to its section of sheltered beach, multi-hectare size, and most importantly; privacy. It was priceless to me for many reasons, I had no plans for selling it, and the increasing offers only make me shrug. The place was inherited from my grandfather, no strings attached, and before it was inherited, it was the summer getaway for my modest family. I can afford a flight to Hawaii and back due to renting it out all winter to some other rich people when I’m working at the ski hill back home. But suring the summer, I just relax there with whoever wants to come, and for the last few years, it has just been me, Karen, and Anna.

“Be good for uncle Calvin, okay?”

“Karen, she’s 16, I’d be lucky if I were still alive when you get back.” My humor made her chuckle as usual, I was never necessarily charismatic, but sarcasm allowed me to fake it. “Do you have the keys?”

“They’re in my purse-” She checked her purse, I checked my pocket.

“Here.” I held up the keys for her, I was still lying down, facing my quiet bay.

“Anything you need from town?”

“Can I get some iced tea?” Of course Anna chipped in when a grocery trip was mentioned.

“Sure…” Karen fished out a pen and a shopping list and scribbled it down. “Cal?”

“Just some more fruit, surprise me.” She chuckled, then headed off to the car. A minute later she drove off to town. The distant surf was almost inaudible through the gentle rustle of tropical foliage. Even with my eyes closed, I could picture scenic view in front of me: Nearly glassy clear blue water lapping up on white sand, sun sparkling off its surface, and a couple hundred meters across was the other end of the bay, solid wilderness, and beyond that, a state park to ensure that my seclusion was pure.

“Hey uncle Cal?”

“Yuh?” I didn’t open my eyes, I was a bit sleepy and wanted to keep it going in that direction.

“Is it okay if I ask you something?” She sounded a bit shy now.

“You don’t have to ask to ask, I’m all ears.”

“Why does my mommy look different from me?”

“You look the same.”

“I don’t have boobs, or the other thing.”

“Hmm?” I opened my eyes.

“A vagina, I don’t have a vagina.”

“I don’t look like my mother either, and I don’t have a vagina, but I know she’s my mom.” She was silent for a moment, this probably wasn’t about her mother.

“Did your mom talk to you about sex yet?” I had a small hunch on where this was going, no point i tiptoeing around it.

“Yeah…