“Yes, but those cost like ten dollars a minute or something.”
“Oh,” she says, sitting back into her seat.
I see a few messages pop up as my phone finds a Wi-Fi connection. It’s Noa, and I hope there isn’t an issue with our house. He set everything up for me since he’s already over here, but he’s been a little out of it lately. Some chick he’s been with has him wrapped around her finger, and his head has been in the clouds.
I open his messages, reading:
Noa: Dude, the people who were supposed to move out delayed their plans for a day. I’ve got it all under control though.
Shit. Where the hell is our stuff if the last tenants are still living there?
Me: That sucks, man. What’s the new plan? Where’s our stuff?
This isn’t the message I wanted to receive after being up since five, running all over Oahu this morning. Noa’s a good guy and has his shit together, but I think we have different ideas on having things under control. It’s different with a kid in tow.
By the time we’re deplaning and heading through the small airport, I’m getting annoyed that Noa hasn’t responded yet.
“Aloha,” a tourist teaser greets us with a orchid lei.
“Mahalo,” I respond, letting her know we’re not tourists and she doesn’t need to waste her flowers on us, but despite the number of flowers Aya is given on a weekly basis, she’s grinning from ear to ear waiting for her flower necklace.
“Mahalo,” she says once receiving the flowers.
“Come on, sweets. We need to get outside so I can call Noa. I won’t be able to hear him from in here.”
“Is something wrong?” she asks.
“Nah, just a change in plans. No need to worry.”
We step out into the taxi pickup area, and I give Noa a call. He better answer. We have nowhere to go and nothing with us except a bag for each of us.
Three long rings blare in my ear before I hear a click. “Mahalo, mannnn.”
“Did you get my text?” I ask before saying hello.
“Yeah, I was just responding to you. I had been conducting interviews this morning, so I was a bit tied up, but I’ve got you covered, bro. Wailea Royal has a room for you tonight, and everything should be all set for you at the house tomorrow.” Whatever. I guess it’s better than unpacking today. I could use a day to lounge at a pool and sip on some fruity drinks with umbrellas in my glass.
“Cool, cool. I appreciate everything you’ve done,” I tell him.
“Don’t mention it. Sorry about the house today. I don’t have much control there. I was just the middleman, but I do have good news on the job front.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“The job is yours if you want it.”
“Aww, am I last choice after your interviews this morning?” I tease.
“No, I was waiting on you to get your ass over here.”
“Sweet. What’s the gig? And, thank you. It’s much appreciated.”
“It’s ah—it’s my new business I was telling you about,” he says.
“You didn’t tell me about a new business. You just said you had a possible opportunity for me.”
“Oh, right. Well, yeah, man, I opened a restaurant last year, and it’s booming. I got a waiter position open and I know it sounds like shit money, but most of my waiters are bringing in about four to five hundo a night.”
“Damn, count me in, bro. I bartended at a Fridays back in the day, so I have some experience. Plus, I’m kind of good at multi-tasking.”
