The following day was Saturday so after breakfast Dani decided to pop next door and pay a visit to her favorite neighbor, Auntie May. May lived all of her sixty years in the missionary style bungalow her father built and she knew practically everything there was to know about the island of Maui and its history. She had even given birth to all three of her sons in the house. Danielle loved listening to her stories and found her to be wise beyond her years. Visits with her neighbor always guaranteed two things: Auntie May’s sage advice and a big bowl of homemade macadamia nut ice cream. Dani had often thought that if she could pick anybody in the world to be her real aunt, it would be her – Matilda “May” Maunaloa.

As Dani approached the house, she was disappointed to see May hurrying out of her front door. Her neighbor was wearing a long traditional Hawaiian muumuu dress and carrying her ukulele which meant she was on her way to perform in one of her popular children’s hula shows.

“You look beautiful Auntie May but I guess I caught you at a bad time?”

The two women hugged each other warmly, as they did every time they met.

“You look lovely too dear, like always. I’m on my way over to Banyan Tree Park. Are you doing anything today? You can always join me and my little kuuipos if you’re not busy.”

May always referred to the little children as “kuuipos”, which was the Hawaiian word for sweethearts. She taught traditional hula dancing to the island kids and held free performances in the parks. Tourists loved it and were encouraged to join the students for an impromptu lesson on stage as part of the show. Danielle was an experienced hula dancer and loved helping Auntie May with the programs whenever she possibly could.

“Are you kidding? I would love nothing better. Can I meet you down there in about a half hour?”

“How wonderful dear. A half hour is fine. Don’t forget your grass skirt. You know mine sure won’t fit you!” May was referring to her big, beautiful plus-sized native Hawaiian figure. She let out a hearty laugh as she hopped into her ‘60’s era convertible Volkswagen and took off toward the town square.

Dani ran back to her own house and started gathering up everything she would need for the dance performance. She clipped some orchids from her backyard and started to fasten them in the hair behind her ear, when she heard her phone buzz with a new text. She saw that it was from Shane and was automatically unnerved by it. Shit what does he want?

I NEED TO SEE YOU TODAY ASAP. VERY IMPORTANT.

Whatever Shane wanted, Dani reasoned, it just couldn’t be good. The message sure didn’t sound romantic or even friendly for that matter, and there wasn’t a single smiley face or heart emoji. She was sure he had to be mad about yesterday’s protesters. The text sounded too serious. The whole thing annoyed her but she decided she wasn’t going to let him spoil her Saturday plans or her mood. She responded with a text telling him to meet her in the park at 3PM to which he answered “K”, which annoyed her even further. She hated when people did that. It had a pretentious air about it, like they were just too busy to be bothered with typing that ever pesky “O”.

Despite being sidetracked by Shane’s text, Danielle arrived in time for the hula show. Auntie May’s park performances didn’t vary a great deal but they were pure joy to watch. Groups of her young students, mostly girls, danced the hula in grass skirts while May accompanied them on her ukulele. She also sang and relayed the meaning of each dance movement to the audience. Midway through the show, audience members were invited to come up and give it a try, which was always comical. It was the exact type of cultural event the tourists loved and the surrounding shops appreciated the added business May’s shows brought in.

Typically an older student led the demonstrations during the program but May was always thrilled whenever Danielle was available to do it. She added another level of beauty and professionalism to the show and of course the male tourists would instantly become generous tippers when she took the make-shift stage for a solo performance.

It was during Dani’s solo that Shane arrived at the park, about one half hour early. Had she known he was watching her dance the whole time she might have lost her concentration. Fortunately he was shaded by the limbs of the huge banyan tree in the center of the park and well-hidden from her view.

Shane’s jaw dropped as soon as he caught sight of Danielle onstage swaying seductively to the slow Hawaiian music. Her grass skirt hung low on her round sensual hips and fluttered lightly in the afternoon breeze, revealing her long tanned legs. A lei of exotic flowers hung from around her neck onto the voluptuous breasts that spilled from her bikini top and glistened in the island sun.

He was totally mesmerized by her beauty and her grace. He had no idea she could dance like that. It was the sexiest thing he had ever seen. Shane had seen plenty of gorgeous women in his life but at that moment he realized Danielle Kane was in a league all by herself. The more he knew of her the more he wanted her. He wished he could make love to her that very minute but all he could do was salivate and try to keep his erection at bay.

When the song ended and Danielle finished her dance, a swarm of men made their way to the stage with money for Auntie May’s tip baskets. Shane hung back and watched Dani work the admiring crowd with her gracious smiles and pleasantries. While she was in the midst of hugging and congratulating all the young hula students, he came up behind her and finally made his presence known.

“Danielle, I must say that was a very beautiful performance. I’m completely stunned. I had no idea you were such a talented dancer.”

Even though it was close to their agreed upon meeting time, Dani was caught off-guard by Shane’s sudden appearance.

“You were watching me dance? How long have you been here?”

“Long enough to see yet another amazing side of Danielle Kane. Are you all finished here now? I need to speak with you about something and I’d like to go some place quiet.”

“Yes. Just give me ten minutes to change into some clothes okay?”

Shane looked her up and down with an overt sexual hunger.

“Change? Must you? You look unbelievable in that hula outfit.”

At that moment May came running up to Dani with her arms outstretched for a giant hug.

“Thanks so much Danielle,” she gushed. “We always make so much more money when you’re part of the show.”

As May turned toward Shane to greet him, Dani suddenly remembered the lie she had told a couple days earlier about her “sick neighbor”. She knew once May introduced herself to him that would be it; he would know she had made it up. Dani tried to quickly think of a way to keep it from happening.

“Hello, are you a friend of Danielle’s? I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m her close friend and neighbor Matilda Maunaloa, but everyone calls me Auntie May.”

It was no use. Dani was too late. The cat was out of the bag.

“Auntie May?” Shane abruptly stopped in the middle of shaking hands with her.

“I’m so glad to see you’ve made such a remarkable recovery from your recent illness. I’m Shane Tanner. Pleased to meet you.”

“Illness? What illness?” Both she and Shane turned to Danielle for an explanation as they finished their handshake.

“I’ll be right back,” Dani yelled as she ran off to change her clothes.

While Danielle was gone, Shane seized the opportunity to ask May a very key question.

“I was wondering something. Maybe you can help me Matilda.”

“Please call me May,” she reminded him.

“May I was wondering……does Danielle Kane have Hawaiian blood? She sure did look like a bona fide hula girl while she was dancing.”

“She does add authenticity to our show. She’s so beautiful and talented. But you know something Mr. Tanner that’s a good question. I don’t know if she’s actually Hawaiian. She might have a little Hawaiian blood in her on her grandmother’s side. But what does it really matter? She’s as much part of this island as I am. Everyone around here loves her,” May laughed. “Besides, the audience likes what they see, so who cares? It’s all about perception.”

A very satisfied smile spread across his face upon hearing her answer.

“You’re absolutely right. It is all about perception. Well I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed today’s show. It’s been a real pleasure meeting you May.” You have no idea how helpful you’ve been to me.