Part Two Talk Story Now

Eightball

Wednesday 

“Oh, didn't I tell you, Abe? A German company recruited me to be their international sales representative. I posted a profile on Facebook, and within an hour, the company contacted me. I guess they saw all my experience and thought they should snag me up. Once approved, which I’m sure I will be, having run several multimillion-dollar companies, I will negotiate their purchases from US manufacturers. Made in America! It feels good to support my country and make money, but nothing happens without a ten-thousand-dollar sign-on bonus. I think that’s fair, don’t you? 

Right. You get it. I’ll need a whole new wardrobe and not cheap suits, but Armani custom-fitted because Uncle don’t come to surf without his board. This ain’t home where everyone wears Hawaiian shirts and talks shop on the beach at BBQs. I’m all business. I guess I got that from my dad, who served as an Admiral’s personal chef. What’s that, Abe? 

Right. Like the Steven Segal movie, what’s that called? 

Yeah, that’s it. Under Siege. Just like that but not on a ship. When he got transferred from Georgia to Hawaii to cook for the Admiral when I was fifteen, I learned a lot about business, like being dedicated. When the Admiral wakes up in the middle of the night and wants a turkey sandwich, you don’t tell him you’re too tired. You got to be available and dedicated. That’s what the Marine Corps saw in me when I enlisted at eighteen, and they shipped me off to boot camp. The recruiter told me, “Son, you got what it takes to be a Marine. I can see the dedication in your eyes.” He was right. I don’t know why, but I was born dedicated, and while all those kids in high school ran to the beach at the end of the school day to go surf or barbequed on the weekends, I knew they wasted their time. Even then, I knew success was just a deal away as I planned my life while watching them from the park bench. You need to think ahead like that, Abe. How many successful, wealthy, eighty-year-old surfers do you know? 

That’s right, none. You got to be serious about success. That company knows this about me. They saw it in my Facebook profile. They’ll pay the bonus because they know only real players ask for the sign-on bonus. 

Oh look, Janey is shooting. She’s pretty. She came up to me the other day and told me, “You're cute.” I laughed because I am like her old uncle, and I don't even look at her breasts, which are large, but I don't look at women that way. Women notice guys who look. Once, a girl said to me, “You never stare at my breasts like other men.” I shrugged and said, “That’s just the respectful way I am.” So, when Janey said I was cute, I just shook my finger at her. “You know if I weren't a nice guy.” She laughed, and I laughed, but I tell you, Abe, when I start my new position, I'm buying her a new car. It’s not right she’s so pretty and drives that beater. She reminds me of when I met my wife back in seventy-five when she worked as a bartender where I shot pool after work each day. She saw all the potential I had just coming out of the Marines. 

That’s right, Abe. Nineteen-Seventy-five. She died in twenty-thirteen, but we had thirty-eight years of perfect marriage. When I say perfect, I don’t mean life was perfect, just our love. We weathered many a storm together, like losing my job at the phone company in Oregon. I’d been working there since the day I came home from Vietnam and had to leave after being falsely accused of sexual harassment. My wife stood by me, and you know what, Abe? 

Well, I’ll tell you. Her dedication found reward in my determination that built an enterprise out of that defeat. I started a telecommunication company that installed networks in buildings. That was in the nineties when the internet was hopping, and computers were selling like hotcakes. Yeah, those were good days, Abe. That’s the success you get from a strong ohana, and that’s why I take care of Janey. She’s ohana, like a daughter: a pretty daughter with big tits that needs me looking out for her, but that’s how ohana works. I watch out for her, and she watches out for me, like yesterday when she gave me a ride home, so I didn’t need to take the bus. She even told me she could give me a ride to the VA on Friday to help me finish my hormone therapy for prostate cancer. The doctor says I’m looking good now! 

You’re right; it is good the cancer’s gone, Abe. I was tired for a while during the chemo, but I’m feeling better now. Time to get back to the business of life. You know what I mean? 

Sure, sure, get yourself a beer. Wendy’s here, and I’ll be over at the other table chatting with her. She needs my help with her aim. 

Hey, Wendy, who’s that guy talking to you? 

Oh, no, sorry, didn’t mean to be nosy; I was just concerned for you. You know there’s a lot of bad people here in Baltimore.  

Sure, I know you can take care of yourself; you’re a strong independent woman, but you’re ohana, so I worry about you. I can’t help it, especially after you told me all about your recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous. I thought it took a lot of honesty to admit your struggle with alcohol. In Hawaii, we don’t have problems like addiction because we’re naturally spiritual people like those AAs sound. I think our power comes from nature because we’re connected with the island from birth. When I need emotional or physical strength, I find a tree, lay my hand on it, and allow the energy to enter my body. I can feel the tingling in the back of my head, just like when I return home to Hawaii. Maybe the power comes from the islands up through the earth and tree to find me. I don’t know. 

Sure, sure, let’s work on your aim. Take a few shots after I line up the balls. See if you can hit the balls into the closest pockets. Try now. 

Hmm, I see the problem. You’re aiming from above the stick. You have to lower yourself and aim like the cue is a rifle. Here, see how I squat down and take aim with the stick. By the way, I’m showing you how a Marine holds his weapon. I was trained to be a killer by the Marines for Vietnam, and believe it or not, applying this knowledge made me a great pool player. When I returned from Vietnam and lived in Oregon, people noted the fierceness of my pool playing. I didn’t even notice; I guess being a fighter just felt natural. 

That’s better. You’re getting it now, Wendy. 

Sure, sure, go talk to your friend. I’ll be helping Janey. 

Aloha, Janey! So good to see you.  

Thanks for asking. I am doing well; how are things going for you? Did you get your problem with your landlord fixed? Do you need Uncle’s help? 

Sure, we can talk later in private. I understand. You know you shouldn’t worry because you’re in the ohana, and we care for our own. 

Sure, sure, I can show you how to break better. Hand me the jump cue. 

Mahalo. Now, there are different ways to break based on aim and power. Some breaks, like in nine-ball you want to strike the configuration here to sink the wing ball but the aim changes depending on the game. The break is about power but equally important is the spin...