Maui Murders
Page 21
Just then, Layla came out on the lanai with a glass of tea, bringing one for Annie. She sat down on the glider and commented on the beauty of the sea and how much she was going to enjoy the view from her own lanai. She talked on for several minutes, then realized no one else was saying anything and thought maybe she had interrupted their conversation.
“Gosh, I’m sorry. Did I interrupt something?”
“Nope, I’m going inside for a nap. You ladies enjoy the rest of the afternoon,” George said as he got up and went inside.
Annie felt trapped; she wanted to get away from Layla, but she didn’t want to disturb George, and within several hours, people would be coming for the evening. She sat in the glider sipping her tea, looking out at the sea as waves rolled softly on the sand. This was something she and George enjoyed doing. This belonged to them; now here she was, sitting with Layla.
CHAPTER 34
Layla was setting on the back lanai, waiting for Dewey and Mr. Soo to make their way over to the Boones’. Seeing Mr. Soo locking his front door, she ran down the stairs to walk back with them.
“Hi, gentlemen, I thought I would walk with you and warn you about something. George and Annie are having quite a disagreement. They’re hardly speaking, and when they’re in a room together, it feels like the Artic.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. When did this start?” Mr. Soo asked.
“I noticed it this morning. I guess something must have happened last night while we were playing Dewey’s new video game.”
Mr. Soo shook his head. Dewey looked at Mr. Soo, a glum expression on his face.
Layla escorted them to the front lanai, George made sure everyone had a drink, and Annie sat out vegetables, chips, and dips.
The sheriff rapped on the back lanai screen, and hearing him, George walked from the front lanai to let him in to join the rest of the group. Everyone was settling in with drinks and plates of snacks, ready for the sun to take its evening dip.
Dewey noticed neither George nor Annie had spoken to each other; although both had been gracious to their guests, it was obvious to those who knew them something was definitely wrong. He glanced at Mr. Soo, raising his eyebrows. Mr. Soo looked down, nodding.
The sheriff told them that, unfortunately, there was nothing new to report on the Okamoto murders from any of the agencies involved.
“Sheriff, I have some news for you,” Layla said, smiling. “Paia has a new resident. I’ve purchased Mr. Soo’s former home. I will be refurbishing it, and I intend to make this my new home.”
“Layla, I’m happily surprised. After your first visit here, I was afraid we would never get you back, let alone become a resident. I’m happy for all of us.”
“I have wonderful friends here. Plus, who can beat this weather? Believe me, much better than New York. I grew weary of New York and the pace. Paia is more peaceful, and people really care here. They take the time to know one another.”
“Let me make this official. Welcome to Paia, and if the sheriff’s office can be of any service, do not hesitate to contact me personally. Wait until I tell Charlene. She always knows everything first. This time I’ll beat her with the latest!”
The sun had set, and everyone went to the back lanai, eager for George to work his magic on the grill. Easy conversation flowed. Layla walked over to Dewey, asking if he was ready to leave tomorrow.
“No, I would rather stay here, but I have to get back and run my business. A lot of people are depending upon this new video game release and on me to keep on top of the digital process. We tycoons have our empire to run,” he said, laughing. “After dinner, let’s you and I go for a walk. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“Great, I look forward to that. For me, I’m sad to see you go. I wish you were going to stay and help me put my new home in order. It would be such fun to have your input.”
“You’ll do great on your own. I’ll be anxious to visit once it’s all finished.”
“I’m going to keep you to that. I’ll expect a visit when all the finishing touches are completed. I can assure you Fiona will do her utmost to hasten the completion to earn her commission,” Layla said, laughing.
“From what I’ve heard, I’m sure you’re right. Just give me as much warning as you can, and I’ll be here,” Dewey said, putting an arm around her shoulder and hugging her.
Everyone enjoyed dinner, the evening drawing too soon to a close. Mr. Soo said it was past his bedtime, and the sheriff said he would walk him back to his home. He thanked George and Annie for a wonderful dinner, wished Dewey a safe journey, then he and Mr. Soo proceeded down the steps.
Dewey said he and Layla were going for a walk. Annie asked if she had her key, in case they weren’t up when she returned. Layla said it was in her pocket.
George came over to Dewey and patted him on the shoulder. “We’ll be at Mr. Soo’s at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow to get you and your luggage. This time I know you’ll be back.”
Dewey looked at George and smiled fondly. “I’ll see you and Annie tomorrow morning. Thanks for a great last night in Paia. Being here with everyone makes it harder for me to go home, but I must.” He grabbed Layla’s hand, and they headed out for their walk, leaving George and Annie alone on the lanai.
“George, we’ve got to talk. There is no one here to interrupt us. There is no reason we can’t talk this through. I’m so broken up inside, I could hardly handle my hostess duties this evening. Every time I looked over at you, it seemed you actually avoided looking at me, and it’s breaking my heart. Please, honey, help us through this,” Annie said, walking over to George, throwing her arms around him.
He sighed and grabbed her arms, gently prying her loose so he could look into her eyes. “Annie, what exactly do you expect I can do or we can do for that matter?”
“I don’t know about the Layla situation, but what I do know is that I cherish what we had and I want it back. I never meant to diminish our relationship. I did something stupid without thinking, and I want you to know how sorry I am and how much I want you to forgive me. Do you still love me?” Annie whispered.
“Don’t be silly. Of course, I still love you. I’ll always be in love with you. I’m hurt, and I think you want to be a mother figure to Layla and help her through this rough period. We don’t know how much time we have left, and I was enjoying this special time with the lady I’ve loved for so many years, and I thought she was enjoying it as much as I was.”
Annie reached up and took George’s face in her hands. “Believe me, with all my heart, I enjoy it very much. I’m proud that after all these years, you still find me desirable, still want me, and still love me. I’ve seen so many couples that reach our age divorce, and the man goes out and gets a much younger wife. I thank my lucky stars you still love me.” Annie drew George’s face down and kissed him passionately.
George returned her kiss, drawing her into him. “Let’s get things inside, then go to bed. I’ve missed you.”
“Thank you, darling, for forgiving me. I don’t know what we can do about this Layla thing, but damn it, we’ll do something.”
“Yes, but we’ll worry about it in the morning.”
CHAPTER 35
Dewey and Layla walked down the street that ran behind George and Annie’s home and in front of Mr. Soo’s, a three-block walk between entranceways to the street.
Whispering because of the late hour, Dewey turned Layla to face him, saying, “Layla, I’m your friend, and good friends sometimes have to point things out that might be hurtful, but I’m doing this because I am your friend, and I don’t want to see things get any further out of hand.”
“Dewey, you’re frightening me.”
“You made an error last night at dinner. You sprang the purchase of Mr. Soo’s home on everyone, plus the fact you wanted to stay with George and Annie a few months until it was ready for you to move in. You di
d that in front of Mr. Soo and me. You should have done that in private. You put the Boones in a very awkward position. I’m afraid George is mad at Annie because she gave her approval without discussing it with him. See, honey, George and Annie have a renewed relationship, something few seniors are able to recapture. A big part of that relationship is based on privacy, which they enjoyed when they were first married before the kids started arriving. Interrupting that privacy for a week or two is fine, but you’re talking months. That wasn’t fair, Layla. Now I know you come from a very different environment from any of us. I’m sure you have houseguests for months at a time, which is no problem in your circle. You have a huge estate in the Hamptons and a large brownstone in New York, but Annie and George’s home is small compared to those, and privacy is an issue. Mr. Soo and I discussed it last night. We were afraid something like this might happen. What I’m trying to say, in a way, it’s not your fault. Your lifestyle is so different.
“There’s something else you probably won’t be thrilled to hear, but I got to be your friend and tell you. Let’s face it, Mr. Soo and I are rich. Money is no problem for us. However, the Boones live on retirement income. Their house has great value, but it’s not liquid cash. It cost them a bundle the week they were in Los Angeles. I tried to pay for everything during our week together. That’s why I booked so much in advance. You’re talking added groceries, electricity, etc., and how about when you need to go somewhere other than walking? You will have to ask one of them to drive you. Have you noticed the price of gasoline here?”
Layla lowered her head and said, “I feel like such a fool. I’ve wished many times that George and Annie were my parents, and yet I have treated them so badly. What must they think of me? Do you have any ideas how I can make it up to them?”
“Mr. Soo and I have talked it over, and we have come up with something for you to consider.”
“Anything. I want to straighten this mess out. Annie and George angry with each other breaks my heart, and to think I caused it makes me appear uncaring and insensitive.”
“Talk with Annie and George, apologize to them, and let them know you now realize what you did was done out of excitement. Tell them Mr. Soo has offered to have you stay with him during the remodeling. He thought having you join him for meals would dazzle Otis.”
Layla had to laugh, knowing Mr. Soo did enjoy having her join them at Otis’s for breakfast.
“I’ll talk with Mr. Soo tomorrow and make sure it is fine with him. I certainly don’t want to cause any more problems.”
They continued their walk, talking about a variety of things, then returned to the Boones’ after nearly two hours. Layla was already missing Dewey and told him how much she depended on his friendship. Dewey smiled and sighed. They noticed there was only a faint light in the kitchen and on the back porch; both hoped that meant George and Annie had gone to bed early, back to being a loving couple.
Layla sat her alarm clock so she could meet Mr. Soo and Dewey for breakfast. She dressed, went to the kitchen, started a pot of coffee for George and Annie, then quietly made her way out the back door. She waited for Dewey and Mr. Soo at the end of the block; soon they came out and joined her for the walk up to Otis’s.
“Mr. Soo, I’m sure by now, Dewey has told you that he had a heart-to-heart talk with me last night, thank God. I feel so bad about all the trouble I’ve caused between Annie and George, and I want to make sure you really want me to stay at your new home.”
“Yes, Layla, it was my idea in the first place. It will be my honor to have you stay in my new home while you remodel my former home. We will have many things to discuss during the remodeling. It will be fun for both of us, and we will be able to take at least one meal a day with Otis. Your company pleases him so very much,” Mr. Soo said, beaming.
“Great, then I’m the one that is honored to be staying with you, and eating at Otis’s is always a calorie-laden joy. I guess it must be this uphill walk, but by the time we get here for breakfast, I’m always starving.”
Everyone agreed, ordering one of Otis’s big breakfasts.
George heard Layla’s alarm go off and figured she would join the boys for one last breakfast together at Otis’s. He decided he would just lay in bed until she left, enjoying the feel of Annie tucked into him.
When he heard the door close, he began rubbing Annie’s arm that lay across his chest and kissed her on top of the nose. “Wake up, honey, we’ve got to get up, get ready, eat breakfast, and get Dewey to the airport.”
Annie stretched. “So soon? It seems like I just closed my eyes. Why is it so hard to get up when you have to get up early and, at other times, you wake up early anyway?”
“That’s a question for greater minds that are ours to answer. Sleep well?”
Annie smiled up at George, stretched up, and gave him a kiss. “I slept satisfied and peaceful once again next to my sexy husband.”
George put his arms around her and gave her a kiss of his own. “Honey, we have to get going.”
“You’re right. I’ll shower, put my face on, then you can follow me.”
Dressed and out to the kitchen, both were grateful Layla had made a pot of coffee; they each got a cup and grabbed a banana. Layla came in the back door as they were finishing their bananas.
“Well, ladies, guess I had better get Pearl out, and we should pick up Dewey. Sure hate to see him go. I know Mr. Soo enjoyed his company. No matter what he says, it’s still a rough time for him, readjusting to life without Mrs. Soo. Having Dewey around helped fill some of his empty time.”
“George, how wise of you. I never considered that,” Layla said thoughtfully.
As George pulled Pearl up in front of Mr. Soo’s, he saw Dewey and Mr. Soo embracing, saying their farewells. George helped Dewey load his luggage, then they were off to the airfield. It was a short drive, but before they pulled into the hangar area, Layla asked George if he could stop outside the fence, she had something she wanted to say.
“Last night on our walk, my dear friend, Dewey, was kind enough to help me tumble out of my ivory tower.”
George and Annie looked over at one another a puzzled look on their faces, then turned toward the back seat to focus their attention on what Layla was saying.
“George, Annie, I must apologize to both of you. It was so thoughtless of me not to tell you first about my extended plans. I just got caught up in the whole thing, and honestly, in my circle, staying with someone for months at a time is no big deal. Dewey told me that is not normal. Also, I didn’t consider the added expense. I am so sorry. I have often said to Dewey that I wish I could exchange parents. I would pick you both. And yet I treated you so badly. I hope you can forgive me and will let me try and make amends.
“Mr. Soo has offered to let me stay with him. In fact, he says we can work together on the remodeling, and he and I can eat at least one meal a day at Otis’s. This is very important to him.”
Annie and George both grinned, hearing that Mr. Soo would parade Layla to Otis’s on a daily basis for a meal.
“After we have Dewey in the air, George, if you will drive me to the regular airport, I would like to go to one of the car rental agencies and rent a car. Mr. Soo told me I could keep it in his garage, and we can go on marketing trips together. I think he will enjoy having me around with a car. Has this made things better?”
“Annie and I reconciled last night when we were alone and could talk things out, and yes, this works fine for both of us. We both still think the world of you, Layla, and want nothing more than your happiness. I think staying with Mr. Soo will do wonders to get him through this period of adjustment. For a man his age, he has had some pretty big changes in his life. First, Dewey and now you. It will help him over the hurdles he encounters on his own.”
Annie didn’t say a word, but a smile never left her face, and she thought things were working out just fine, thanks to Dewey.
Layla went up to Dewey, reached toward his face, and kissed him sweetly on the lips.
Dewey was dumbfounded. “Thank you. What was that for? Don’t get me wrong, it was terrific,” Dewey said, smiling broadly.
“That’s a small-time thank you to my best friend and to a man that hopefully will wait for me to get back to being someone that can give love. I know you are the best man in the world I could ever hope to be with. I’m just not quite ready to go there yet. I hope I still have more time to find myself.”
“I’ll be waiting for you. Take as long as you need.” Dewey didn’t realize what he was doing, but he reached down and grabbed the back of Layla’s head, tipping her upward and kissed her lovingly on the lips.
“Wow, this may not take as long as I thought,” Layla said, shaking her head in dismay.
“Got to go, honey. I’ll call you when I get home.”
Dewey boarded the plane, and Layla began to make her way to where Pearl was parked.
“George, did I just see what I think I saw?” Annie asked.
“Wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it myself. He finally kissed his angel. I don’t think she minded too much either.”
All three stood on the tarmac, waving to Dewey as his plane left Maui.
Layla sighed. “Gosh, I miss him already.”
Layla drove her newly rented Ford Taurus wagon of out the rental yard and back to Paia, enjoying the freedom of being on her own. She rented a station wagon, thinking she would be toting things needed for her remodeling, plus grocery items. That gave her an idea, and she pulled into the parking lot of the supermarket where George and Annie shopped.