Shell Leis and Cocktails at 5

Eve isn’t sure what to make of her aunt’s friend Jolie, with her expensive island dresses, draped shell leis, rings on every finger and the expectation that Eve will join Meg and Jolie for cocktails at 5 every night in one or the other of their apartments. On one hand, Jolie helped Meg acquire an apartment at the independent living residence; on the other hand, Jolie expects Eve to take on major projects at Meg’s Kaillua home. Jolie, a retired Realtor, tells Eve what work must be done to make the house renter-ready, but Jolie clearly doesn’t know about the strange vibes present in the home’s island room. First, the house needs a new roof, but the island room at the back of the house has a thatch roof that no professional roofer will touch. Second, there is a an unexplained chill in the air in that room even when outdoor temperatures are in the 80s. As with many other topics. Meg considers the reason for the chill to be off-limits, not to be discussed.. Meg needs the house fixed up and rented out to help pay the cost of independent living. Jolie reassures Meg that Eve will see to matters, give them daily updates over Kentucky bourbon cocktails, and not relate any news about Eve’s rescue of Noa Kala`i to other residents. Jolie says Noa is loved and respected by all for his knowledge of Hawaiian history. Eve doesn’t try to explain that she loves Noa for another reason … her dad’s spirit seems to hover in Noa.

Shell Leis