Part Six Talk Story Now

Eightball

Sunday 

Abe, I’m sorry to pull you into the bathroom again, but my heart is broken over Janey, and we need to find a way to help her. Last night on the ride home, I said, “Janey, I haven’t felt this way about anyone since my wife died. I am falling in love with you.” She turned to me and said, “Do you want to be more than family? Do you want me to be more than just a second daughter?” I said, “Yes.” 

Wait, Abe, I’m not finished. We went back to her place and entered the apartment, where a large man sat on the sofa. Janey told me to wait in the bedroom, where I sat on the bed and swallowed my Viagra. Her voice carried through the door, saying to the man, “It’ll only be a few minutes, baby.” He said, “Make sure you wash that thing before I hit it later.” She agreed and entered the bedroom and said, “Uncle, before we get started, I need to ask you something.” She pointed to the door with her thumb and whispered, “My roommate wants me to pay my half of the electric bill. Do you think you could spot me fifty?” 

Yes, Abe, I did think something was strange. I’m not stupid, Abe. I’m getting to that. I said to her, “I didn’t bring any money with me.” I lied to test the situation, but it wasn’t anything like I suspected. Suddenly, the door burst open, and the large man stood before me, sticking his finger in my face, saying, “Bitch, Eightball don’t play that way. If you don’t have the bills, you don’t get the ass.” 

I know, Abe. I had the same shocked look on my face, but I thought fast and figured, if I kill this man, I would be sinning and go to hell. Worse yet, there’s no telling what he might do to Janey if I didn’t pay him for her share of the electric bill. 

Yes, Abe, I realize his name is Eightball, and she just got her ass tattooed with an eight ball. If you stop interrupting me, you will learn why. 

Thank you. So, being suspicious and worried, I decided to pay the man as the best course of action, which I did, and he left the room. I was mad, Abe, thinking I’d been swindled, so I let my dark, sinful side emerge, which I soon regretted. When Janey began groping my crotch, I grabbed right back onto her firm tits, not respectful at all. After a minute or so of touching, Janey took off her clothes and said, “How do you want it?” I stood and dropped my pants, and she got on all-fours on the bed — like she knew! I went inside her and only stroked a few times before coming, but the Viagra kept me hard, so I just kept going and pretended I hadn’t come yet. She couldn’t tell as I grunted and worked, dripping sweat on the eight ball tattoo. She was pretty, soft, and warm with such passion I hadn’t felt in so long. When I finished the second time, I asked if she was okay. I was willing to take care of her with my tongue, you know, but she said, “Thanks, Uncle; it’s all about you tonight.” 

For Christ's sake, Abe! Of course I knew what was going on; I was there. Let me finish, and you’ll learn the truth. 

Thanks. We left shortly afterward, and I felt dirty and sinful until Janey suddenly stopped walking as we approached her car and said, “Uncle, I know you’re upset, but you don’t understand.” 

“I’m not stupid. Eightball?” I told her. 

She cried, “I know. I got the tattoo because he made me. He forces me to fuck men for money then takes the money. I got the tattoo because he demanded it, but secretly I thought of you and our ohana.” She wiped the tears from her eyes and begged, “Don’t hate me, Uncle.” 

Yes, Abe, I was just as shaken as you look now. I walked over to the sidewalk tree growing near the curb and grasped the bark, letting the energy fill me as I told Janey, “I could never hate you. We’re ohana, and we don’t abandon one another- what, what’s that, Abe? 

Abe, I don’t know what game you’re playing with me, but I am on to you. I know you love Janey, but more than that, you can’t be believed for being a criminal.” 

Don’t act surprised. Your criminality shines like a neon sign above the bar, with your nice car, abundant spending, and lack of a job. I may not know your business, but I know it’s nothing good. 

Well, your business is my business when it involves my ohana, Abe. 

Fine, I’m listening. 

Really. 

You don’t say. 

Come on now. 

Do you really expect me to believe you inherited land leases from your father, and you collect money from properties you never visited? That is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. 

Okay, so not only do you want me to believe people pay you so they can build homes on properties they don’t own, and you don’t upkeep, but now you’re telling me Janey is a prostitute you fucked many times for forty dollars a ride. What kind of fool do you think I am, Abe? Next, you’ll be saying Wendy is a hooker. 

Abe! Wendy is sober as a judge. She did not suck your dick for a shot of whiskey. What a terrible thing to say about our ohana! 

I don’t know why you would lie, Abe. Maybe living in deceit and criminality has clouded your view of what is truly important in life.  

No more! I don’t want to hear anymore. That’s it. You’re out. You’re out of the ohana, Abe. You can remain on the team and play, but no favors. 

One day, you’ll realize shrugging and walking out that bathroom door was a terrible mistake. 

Excuse me. Excuse me. Wow, it got crowded. 

Oh, Wendy! Hey Wendy! Aloha. I’m fine, Wendy. How are you? 

Yes, I checked my emails this morning, and the deposit will be made by tomorrow. Don’t worry. Uncle won’t let you down. By the way, Abe is out of the ohana.  

I don’t know if he will remain on the team, but for sure, he is out of the family. Are you having a drink? 

You’re right. One martini never hurt anyone. Have you seen Janey? 

Oh, while she’s in the bathroom, I should take this moment to let you know that Janey and I took our relationship to the next level. Don’t be surprised by any displays of affection. 

Yes, really. We have gone beyond just a close father-daughter or uncle-niece relation, but I don’t want you to worry. You’ll always be in the ohana. Here comes Janey now. I’m going to find Abe and see if he will still play with the team despite not being in the ohana. I’ll be right back. 

Excuse me, excuse me. Abe! Abe! Are you leaving? 

You just got a call from a company about a job. Well, congratulations on getting a new job, but you can still play with the team if you want. I am a man of my word, and I would not kick you off the team just because you can’t be in the ohana. 

I understand you need to get up early tomorrow for the new job. Maybe this new writing job will do you some good, Abe. Hopefully, you’ll leave your life of crime. You should think about this incident while you’re writing so you can find some inner peace and stop driving people out of your life. Maybe someday you can return to the ohana. 

That’s not a good attitude, Abe. Saying “whatever” won’t fix the wrongs you’ve caused. I hope the best for you, Abe. 

Excuse me. Excuse me. 

There you girls are. What’s so funny? Let Uncle in on the joke. 

Ah, I can see why you were giggling about Abe. You’re right, he is a sad story, but you shouldn’t make fun of him. Not everyone has my will and character fortitude to resist the evil of the world. 

You’re right, he is clueless, but we must pray for him and wish him the best. Not everyone is lucky enough to have an ohana like us. 

What’s that? 

Oh, I figured we would forfeit the match tonight because we are missing a team member. 

Mano? No, he’s a bad man. I’ve encountered men like him before. Sharks circling in the waters of life, just waiting to take a bite of unsuspecting girls like yourself. 

What? No, I am not like that. I don’t put people like Mano in their place because that is God’s job. Karma will visit upon him the evils he has inflicted upon others. 

For you, Janey. 

Oh, Wendy, you also want to see me hunt the shark? 

Well, okay, go ahead, Janey, wave him over.  

Hi, Mano, the girls were telling me you are a good pool player. Would you like to play a game? 

Oh, that’s great. Hmm, well, I’m not the best shooter, but how bout we play for money? 

You don’t play for money. Not even a little? 

Well, I appreciate you not wanting to take my money, but I’m okay gambling a small amount. I could afford to lose like ten dollars a ball. How about you? 

Well, thanks, Mano. Let me grab my cue, and we’ll get started.  

Did you see the way I tricked Mano, girls? He thinks he’s playing an amateur, and that’s how you play the game within the game. Now, I’ll lead him on for a game or two and let him get a taste of winning before I run the table. Oh, he’s breaking. 

Nice break, Mano. Nine-ball is not my game, but I can see it is yours. 

Well, I play Eightball for the strategy. Nineball is fast and about accuracy, but Eightball requires offensive and defensive strategies. 

Oh, well, I guess Nineball is a little more for pros, but maybe that’s the Hawaiian in me that rejects competition in that way. 

Why yes, I am from Hawaii, Mano. 

Oh, you’re from Waipio. I grew up on Oahu. 

No, I’ve never been to the big island.  

No, I don’t think it lost its charm a long time ago because of all the haoles. Hawaii is perfect weather, people, and life. It is home. 

Well, I guess it has been a long time since I went home. When was the last time you were there, Mano? 

Oh, last year in Waikiki. I love Waikiki. I used to go to that big park across from the beach where all the little shops sit; what was that name? Oh, Wailana park, I think. 

What’s that, Mano? 

That park hasn’t been there since nineteen-seventy. There are condos there now. 

Yes, Mano. I realize it’s not Hawaii Five-O, the new one, or the old one. Excuse me a moment, Mano. 

Girls, you shouldn’t giggle and laugh so hard while we’re playing. I realize Mano doesn’t understand the strategic differences between Nineball and Eightball and certainly knows nothing about Hawaii, but this is no laughing matter. This is why I didn’t want to play because his vulnerability is exposed, and now, he must keep a strong front as we play. I can’t bear to watch him lose this way. I think I’m going to let him win. 

Sorry, Mano, I’m back. Maybe you’re right, Mano, about Nineball being a pro’s game. In Hawaii, we always played Eightball. 

Oh, you grew up playing Nineball in Hawaii. Hmm, that is interesting, something to think about.