It took a lot for me to not say the first thing that came to mind. She was gorgeous, and I was having less than pure thoughts just then. She looked like a native, with long wavy hair, and a voluptuous figure that filled out that flowery dress she had on perfectly. I would have to keep from staring, to have a human conversation with her.
“Well, hopefully you can help me. I’m only staying here for a few days, but have decided that I really like it here, and want to stay on a more permanent basis. Any idea where I could find someplace to stay? I know this is an odd request, but my life’s changed directions on me recently, and this seems like the perfect place to start over.”
She paused before speaking; apparently digesting the brief life history I just gave her. “Sir, I am not a real estate agent, but can tell you that the general cost of living here is pretty high. Also most homes in the area are over-priced. I can give you the name of someone to talk to about this though. Would that be ok?”
“Sure. Thanks.”
She flipped open a book at her desk, found what she was looking for, and wrote something on a small piece of paper. She tore it off, and slid it across the desk. “Here is the name of a woman I trust, give her a call. Is there anything else I can help you with today?”
“Come to think of it, there is. What could I do for fun around here tonight? I was thinking of touring the island, but have no idea where to start. Also, just curious, but what is the name of that juice with no label in the room?”
These were much easier questions for her to handle. She went over several options that were great for tourists, some of which started here at the resort, while others required a cab ride. She slid me some pamphlets, as well as the hand-written note. I thanked her, and turned to head back to my hut. I could have sworn she was giving me a lustful look, and maybe even a wink when I had thanked her. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part.
Leafing through the pamphlets, I found several that looked very interesting. One was for a helicopter tour of the island. Another was for the military museums all over the place. I would make sure to at least visit the Arizona Memorial, if nothing else. Hey, I saw the movie Pearl Harbor, too. There were a few others that I would review back in the room. Of interest though was the handwritten note.
Juice Name: Lilikoi Passion Fruit
For your home search:
Leia Malana, 808-555-1234
Kim, 808-555-6789 😉
I really wasn’t ready to jump right back into the game, but was flattered that she would flirt with an older guy like me. Regardless, it was a nice ego boost. I would keep that number for future reference though.
I guess I had more phone calls to make. My phone was getting more of a workout today than any other day in my life. First I would call Leia, the real estate agent. I waited until I got back to my hut before making the call.
She picked up with a cheerful, “Aloha, this is Leia.” Her voice sounded beautiful. Were all the women of Hawaii going to be like this? I was beginning to think this was the best decision I had ever made.
I snapped back to the present. “Um, hi, my name is James. I am in the market to buy something a little more permanent than staying here at this resort and Kim from the concierge gave me your number. Would you be able to help me out?”
“Of course, it would be a pleasure. Could you tell me generally what you are looking for?”
“I don’t need anything big, really. I probably need two bedrooms, but other than that, I haven’t given it much thought yet.”
“Ok, do you have any preference on location?”
“Just somewhere close to the ocean.” She chuckled, and even I knew that it was a corny joke. “Seriously, I don’t much care about any place specifically. I would think somewhere partially secluded, but still close enough to civilization to still feel like a human.”
I could hear some writing on the other end. “Ok, I will work up a list of possibilities and we can meet to go visit some of them. Sound good?”
“Yeah that sounds great, thank you.”
“I will call you tomorrow. Aloha!” She ended the call just as pleasantly as she had answered it. I was really going to like it here.
Final call to make. I had promised I would call my daughter, and I would always do my best to keep my promises to her. I mixed up another ‘Beach Pineapple’ (my own nickname for it now), and walked down to the lounger on the beach again. I sat, and took out my phone. I stared at the screen, looking at her contact photo in my phonebook. She looked so much like her mother. I really hoped she didn’t inherit her crazy genes, too.
The phone rang several times, and eventually, went to her voice mail. I listened to her sing-song voice, as she told me to leave a message, and she would get back to me. I was half-way through a quick message to her, when my phone buzzed that I had an incoming call. She was returning my call. It was funny that didn’t happen more often, I thought to myself.
I answered her return call, hanging up on the voice mail. “Hi honey, glad you could call me back so quickly. I hadn’t even finished leaving you a message yet,” smiling as I said it.
“Hi Daddy! Yeah, we were a bit busy, sorry.”
I could almost hear her blush through the phone. She said we… I wonder if she meant she was with her girlfriend, or her mother. I really didn’t want to talk to Caitlin, so I decided not to fish for the answer.
“Oh that’s ok, I just wanted to check in, and let you know I am doing well. This place is truly magical, and hopefully, you can come out sometime soon to visit.”
“Visit?” She paused, and I knew that I had fucked up. “Dad, what are you saying?” Oh shit, I needed to work on keeping things simpler when talking to people.
“Honey, I am deciding to make the move out here permanent. I haven’t found a place yet, but will start looking tomorrow.”
“WHAT? You CAN’T move that far away! Now I will never see you…” she sounded like she was about to break down into tears.
“Maddy, you are always welcome to come visit, and I can help pay for you sometimes. I can still come see you too, you know? I’m sorry, but this is just something I have to do…”
“Have to do? Dad, I know mom royally messed up, but do you really need to move half-way around the world?”
This was the conversation I was truly afraid of. I didn’t want to hurt my daughter, but also really felt that I needed to start over, and I couldn’t do that in Virginia. I hesitated to answer, probably too long, actually.
“Dad, are you divorcing mom? Oh my god, you ARE!” She started crying into the phone, and I was choking back some of my own tears. I hated to hear my little girl so sad. I would do everything I could to soften it for her though.