D Tahiti Nui the night before Green Bay 1.11
It was 2010 before they walked in Tahiti Nui. Traveler knew the place would be packed out, no way to get a seat, but there was a table for two, close, not too close.
How, he thought. Then out of the corner of his eye saw the blown kiss to Garrett behind the bar. Leilani was full of surprises and that included the best seats in the house.
Friday night, music flowing, Garrett brought over a tasting flight, we are featuring the Tedeschi Family Winery tonight, I'll be be soon to check on you, he said, looking straight at Traveler, gave Leilani that kiss on the side of the mouth thing they do in Hawaii and moved on.
Pupus came, and then a second flight, (that's the equivalent of the second glass of wine delivered to the table lest ye worry). A pair of guys played their song, Africa, one on bass, one on guitar, great rendition, Toto would be proud. When they finished, the man with the bass unplugged and walked away while the guitarist checked the tuning, satisfied he looked over at Leilani. She stood up, went to the mike, put on the guitar, there was that Hawaiian side kiss again.
A reedy sound from the damped out lower strings set the beat and then she started to sing.
Let the bough break, let it come down n crash
Let the sun fade out to a dark sky
4 ladies in mumus, 5 strand kahelelanis barely visible under the flower leis, barefoot, started to dance, tapping the beat that had started the song on gourds with bright red and yellow feathers. Leilani kept singing and playing. When she hit the chorus, the dancers turned and faced Traveler directly, smiling that special hula girl smile, looking the young man directly in the eye.
Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you
I will become yours and you will become mine
On the next to the last verse, the whole bar started singing, at least it seemed that way to Traveler
We are not perfect
We'll learn from our mistakes
And as long as it takes
I will prove my love to you
After the last verse the dancers walked away, the bar went silent. Leilani paused for a second to hand off the guitar and then sang the final chorus acapella.
Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you
I will become yours and you will become mine
People were clapping, hugging, crying, Leilani walked over to Traveler, who was standing clapping and she kissed him, no not that Hawaiian kiss on the side of the mouth, the girlfriend experience that makes your heart race and want to stop suddenly all that the same time. She took his hand and led him through the crowd, which parted to let the lovers through. Leilani was, indeed, full of surprises.
This was the moment Traveler was almost persuaded to ask for her hand in marriage. Things were happening so fast. They held hands walked for a while, no need for words. He called for his self-drive, Cody was sitting in the pilot seat, Leilani laughed, one look from Traveler and he jumped into the back. It was funny, but there weren't many self-drives on the island and if a policeman saw a car drive by with a dog in the command seat, what would he think?
The drive to Wainiha was quiet, two lovers lost in their thoughts, dreams, and just glowing. When they got to the base of the hill by Mongo's house. They held hands, kissed a little. And then it was time. Leilani got out of the car, directed the dog to COME with the gentlest of thoughts. She turned to Traveler, you fly to Green Bay tomorrow, Cody Boy stays with me and I don't like goodbyes. Come back to me young prince. I'll be waiting. She kissed him one last time and walked up the hill into the darkness, Cody at her side.
How, he thought. Then out of the corner of his eye saw the blown kiss to Garrett behind the bar. Leilani was full of surprises and that included the best seats in the house.
Friday night, music flowing, Garrett brought over a tasting flight, we are featuring the Tedeschi Family Winery tonight, I'll be be soon to check on you, he said, looking straight at Traveler, gave Leilani that kiss on the side of the mouth thing they do in Hawaii and moved on.
Pupus came, and then a second flight, (that's the equivalent of the second glass of wine delivered to the table lest ye worry). A pair of guys played their song, Africa, one on bass, one on guitar, great rendition, Toto would be proud. When they finished, the man with the bass unplugged and walked away while the guitarist checked the tuning, satisfied he looked over at Leilani. She stood up, went to the mike, put on the guitar, there was that Hawaiian side kiss again.
A reedy sound from the damped out lower strings set the beat and then she started to sing.
Let the bough break, let it come down n crash
Let the sun fade out to a dark sky
Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you
I will become yours and you will become mine
On the next to the last verse, the whole bar started singing, at least it seemed that way to Traveler
We are not perfect
We'll learn from our mistakes
And as long as it takes
I will prove my love to you
After the last verse the dancers walked away, the bar went silent. Leilani paused for a second to hand off the guitar and then sang the final chorus acapella.
Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you
I will become yours and you will become mine
People were clapping, hugging, crying, Leilani walked over to Traveler, who was standing clapping and she kissed him, no not that Hawaiian kiss on the side of the mouth, the girlfriend experience that makes your heart race and want to stop suddenly all that the same time. She took his hand and led him through the crowd, which parted to let the lovers through. Leilani was, indeed, full of surprises.
This was the moment Traveler was almost persuaded to ask for her hand in marriage. Things were happening so fast. They held hands walked for a while, no need for words. He called for his self-drive, Cody was sitting in the pilot seat, Leilani laughed, one look from Traveler and he jumped into the back. It was funny, but there weren't many self-drives on the island and if a policeman saw a car drive by with a dog in the command seat, what would he think?
The drive to Wainiha was quiet, two lovers lost in their thoughts, dreams, and just glowing. When they got to the base of the hill by Mongo's house. They held hands, kissed a little. And then it was time. Leilani got out of the car, directed the dog to COME with the gentlest of thoughts. She turned to Traveler, you fly to Green Bay tomorrow, Cody Boy stays with me and I don't like goodbyes. Come back to me young prince. I'll be waiting. She kissed him one last time and walked up the hill into the darkness, Cody at her side.
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