Part Five Talk Story Now

Eightball

Saturday 

I’m sorry to pull you into the bathroom and cry like a baby, Abe, but it’s Janey. I love her, and we need to help her. Last night after pool, she received a text message that upset her. She said, “I have to be honest. I owe a lot of money in child support because the state took away my son. The father’s high-priced attorney claimed I was unfit.” 

I told her I could help her in a few weeks when I get paid my social security, but she said, “Uncle, that’s not soon enough. I need the money by tomorrow. I don’t want you to think of me as a terrible person, but I need to go see this man who just texted me so I can get paid. He’s going to want me to do things.” 

“Like what?” I asked. 

She looked solemnly at the ground, and I asked, “What can I do?” 

She cried, “Just be there for me.” 

I told her I would because I am an honorable man, and I accompanied her to this rowhouse in the city. We entered, and three guys sat in the living room getting high on pot. She told them it would be fifty-a-piece but settled on forty dollars, and they each took turns with my poor Janey in the bedroom as I waited in the smoke-filled room, watching the blaring TV. When finished, she got paid and smoked some weed before we left.  

Wait, Abe, that’s not the worst part. She looked over at me with her sad, tear-glazed eyes as she drove and said, “It means a lot that you came with me.” She rested her hand on my leg and said, “Uncle, I hope I never have to be with another man that way again.” 

I know. It’s fucked up, Abe. I feel terrible because I failed my ohana. I was going to unleash the warrior and destroy those men, but as a devout Catholic, I could not, and for knowing my imprisonment would only make things worse. I am lost, Abe. What can we do to help our Janey? 

Abe, that’s a terrible thing to say about a member of our ohana. Can’t you see she’s in crisis? 

I appreciate your frankness, Abe, but I can’t just walk away from someone I love, even if it is for her own good. I hear what you’re saying about people sometimes needing to save themselves, but what if she can’t? What if she is not just some whore trying to take advantage of me? I think I owe her the benefit of the doubt after all we shared and because she is ohana. 

I’ll keep what you said in mind, Abe, but I must try. Thanks for listening. Wendy should be here now; please don’t say anything. Excuse me. 

Aloha, Wendy. Wow! Today must be a bad day for everyone. What has you so sad? 

I’m sorry the restaurant is closing, and you’re losing your job. I didn’t realize you were already struggling so much financially. Don’t worry; you won’t have your car repo-ed. I just got hired today for that sales rep position with that German company. I negotiated a twenty-thousand-dollar sign-on bonus. 

Yes, really. Between you and me, I think that company desperately needs a good sales negotiator, judging from how easily I got them to pay me twenty thousand. Anyhow, I finished filling out the direct deposit information on their website, and they said the sign-on bonus would hit the account on the next business day. When the money hits, I got you covered. 

Yes, really! I might need to wear some less expensive suits for a while, but that’s the sacrifices Uncle makes for his ohana. 

That’s no problem. As I said, the money is just mere days away. In the meantime, perhaps we should meet and strategize to get you a new career. Notice I didn’t say “job.” We need to get you into a new career, and after pool tonight, we should sit down and talk story.  

Sure, sure, when you get time. Now, I don’t want you to think I am abandoning you in your time of need, but Janey just came in, and she has some issues requiring Uncle’s help. I’ll be back. 

Aloha, Janey. Are you okay? 

Oh.  

Well, it’s good you took some of the money you made last night and got a tattoo to make yourself feel better. That’s exactly why people in Hawaii get tattoos. I’m glad you’re happy. What did you get? 

An eight-ball! That’s beautifully placed right above your ass. 

No, I don’t think it looks slutty at all. You need to feel good about yourself, and if that tattoo makes you feel good, you should wear it with pride. 

That makes me very happy, but you didn’t have to get that tattoo to think of me. I’m not going anywhere. We’re ohana, and I will always be here for you. 

Mahalo, Janey. 

Yes, I took care of the problem with Abe. I don’t think he will be staring at you anymore. 

No, I didn’t say you said anything. Uncle knows how to deal with family issues. 

Hmm, Abe is a writer, and I never really thought about his lifestyle.  

Well, now that you mention it, there is something odd about him.  

I never really thought about his nice car, and you’re right. He doesn’t seem worried about money at all. I just thought he was a successful writer, or maybe his family has money.  

Oh, I never thought of that. Do you really think he’s a criminal? 

I’ll have to think about that and watch him close. Don’t worry; Uncle watches over you, Janey.