Part Three Talk Story Now

Eightball

Thursday

Abe, Janey is so pretty. Last night after we left, she kissed my cheek, and said, “Uncle, your so kind.” I think I’m falling in love. It has been so long since I’ve been with a woman, almost eight years since my wife died. My wife was sick for the last five years she was alive, but I stood by her side, right to the end. I thought my dating days were over after her passing, but I can see now they’re not. I haven’t felt this emotion in so long, I went to the doctor this morning and got the Viagra. Not that I think of Janey that way, but I wanted to be prepared if she decides to take the relationship to the next level.

What’s that?

No, Abe, I am sure that Janey is not using me. Janey isn’t like that; she is ohana. I know her well. We talk story about her life. In Hawaiian, that means we discuss things. She confided in me about losing her job, and I could see the honesty in her tears as she discussed being close to eviction. I got paid my social security on Wednesday and gave her the rent money; do you know why?

Because that’s what ohana does.

On a different note, Abe, I sat down last night and felt so inspired after discussing writing with you and helping Janey that I decided to start writing. I found myself writing about Janey and how beautiful she is, not like other women I’ve known, even my wife. Janey is slender and has such pretty features, whereas most of the women I’ve known were heavier. Not that they weren’t pretty, but they just didn’t make me feel the way Janey does. When I think about it, maybe my whole life I’ve been waiting to meet someone like Janey, like maybe my wife died so that I could have a beautiful girl. Not Janey per se because she is like a daughter, but someone like her: beautiful and kind. So, I wrote and wrote about Janey. I never wrote about anyone that way, not even my wife. I couldn’t believe how easy the words came, like I’d been writing my whole life. Is writing easy like that for you, Abe?

That’s interesting. I mean, it seems pretty simple to me. You just write how you speak and check if the commas are in the right places. 

You sound like my wife when I told her I decided to open a business after the phone company made me retire. “There’s a lot more to a business than that.” She would say just like you do about writing. 

I’ll have to think about what you’re saying, Abe, because I don’t see that depth. Maybe it’s like pool, with the game within the game; you know what I mean? 

Sure, sure, get some practice in while I help Wendy with the new player Dave.  

Oh, I didn’t know he served in Nam. Well, he should make a fine addition to the team.  

Aloha, Wendy! And you must be Dave. 

Abe said you were in Vietnam during your navy hitch, Dave. I guess we have a lot in common. I served on a Navy ship as an airplane mechanic during the war. 

Yeah, I was there in seventy-two and- what’s that? 

Oh, well Dave, I never served on the land being a plane mechanic. 

Well, Wendy, they train mechanics to be killers too. 

I really can’t discuss what I did because of the sensitive nature of my position. 

That’s right, Dave. You do need a clearance just to work near the fighter jets. 

Oh, look, Janey just arrived. Excuse me; I need to help her warm up. Good meeting you, Dave. 

Aloha, Janey.  

Oh, I’m fine, Janey, just a little worried. Between you and me, Wendy doesn’t seem to be getting better. On top of that, this new guy Dave isn’t the right fit for the team. I can tell with all my pool playing experience. There’s just something about him that’s off, like he says he was in the military, but something tells me he’s full of shit. Excuse my language. My years in the intelligence field may have made me wary, but I think my keen observation skills have spotted a phony. At any rate, thanks for asking about me. How are you? Did you get your rent paid? 

Good. I’m glad I could help you and provide for my ohana. What would you do without me? 

You’re too kind. Be careful; I am old but not dead. I might sweep you off your feet and make you my girl. 

That’s right, I do care, and you can tell me anything. 

Yes, anything. 

Really? 

Oh, wow.  

I didn’t realize Abe bothered you so much, and I never noticed him giving you the eye. Are you okay playing with him? 

You should feel safe with me. I would never let anyone take advantage of you. Look, I’m Uncle, the team captain, and head of the ohana. I’ll work this out with Abe. Don’t worry.  

You’re welcome, Janey. We’ll talk more after we play. 

Okay, everyone! Let’s get started practicing for tomorrow night. I think we should go over strategy. A team has the advantage of working together to win. Bad teams are not actually teams but instead a group of people flying solo. Now, Janey, you are good at banking, so you take the bank shots even when that means sacrificing an easy shot because that shot will still be there. Abe, you're our “English man” so concentrate on shots needing spin. Wendy, you haven’t found your strength yet, so you take the easy shots. Dave, we’ll figure you out tonight…