Page 17 of Hula

Behind me, the door swings open without a knock, and the only person that can get away with it enters. Her entrance is always dramatic. The way she carries herself, the unique way she accessorizes. She has style. Love that about her.

“Auntie Marie! You’re back! And you cut your hair! It looks great.”

I put my hands on her shoulders and give air kisses.

“Hello, darling girl! Surprise! I got in last night. Thought I’d take you to dinner and entertain you with tales of the virile men of Greece.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would have saved your table. It’s a full house tonight.”

Eyebrows draw together.

“I thought you had. The hostess brought me to my regular spot. I left my cocktail there.”

“Actually, Auntie, that’s reserved for someone else. You’ll have company. A friend is coming to the show and we are going out afterwards.”

Green eyes look into my soul and read what I am not saying.

“So who is this mystery person with preferred status?”

I turn and check my reflection, adjusting my skirt. Pausing for effect, I meet her gaze in the mirror. I can be dramatic too.

“A man!”

“Tell me!”

Eyebrows raise, and she takes a seat waiting for further information.

“Don’t get excited. We barely know each other.”

“Uh huh,” she says, disregarding my statement.

Then I lay the rest on her.

“Other than the fact we met decades ago.”

She studies my face for clues.

“What does that mean? You met as children?”

“Iwas a child.Hewas a teenager. It’s Auntie Nani’s son. Akoni and he were friends back in the day. And he’s dreamy.”

“What? Did I know him? I bet I did. Those little horndog friends of your brother’s were always…”

“The knock on the door interrupts her memories before I can find out exactly what the little horndogs were doing.

“Five minutes!”

Auntie rises.

“I’ll fill you in tomorrow. His name is Alek. He’s very nice,” I say, turning her to the door and gently showing her out. “Don’t ask him a hundred questions. Let me figure out who he is before you do.”

She lifts her palms. “You have nothing to worry about. Nothing whatsoever.”

Now I’m really afraid. Usually, it takes more to get Auntie out of here. This time she couldn’t leave fast enough. There is a one hundred percent chance Alek is going to get the third degree. Probably the fourth too. He’s screwed.

I follow her out but turn in the opposite direction and snake through the backstage tangle of equipment and cords. Finding my place behind the curtain, the stage manager looks me over as usual.

“What’s the mood out there tonight, Bobby?”

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