583495793235

HAPPY ALREADY
“MADS, BE SERIOUS. We can’t go to Hawaii.”
“Why not? I got us plane tickets. I booked us a hotel.”
We’re sitting in Olly’s car in the driveway. He puts the key in the ignition, but doesn’t
turn it.
“Are you kidding?” he asks, scrutinizing my face for evidence that I’m kidding. He
doesn’t find any and begins shaking his head slowly. “Hawaii is three thousand miles
away.”
“Hence the airplane.”
He ignores my attempt at levity. “You’re serious? When did you do this? How? Why?”
“One more question and you’ll have a Fast Five,” I say.
He leans forward, presses his forehead into the steering wheel.
“Last night, with a credit card, because I want to see the world.”
“You have a credit card?”
“I got my own a few weeks ago. There are perks to hanging out with an older woman.”
He pulls his forehead off the wheel, but still stares straight ahead not meeting my eyes.
“What if something happens to you?”
“Nothing will.”
“But what if it does?”
“I have the pills, Olly. They’re going to work.”
He squeezes his eyes shut and puts his hand on the key. “You know, we have plenty of
world right here in southern California.”
“But no humuhumunukunukuapuaa.”
A small half smile forms at the corner of his lips. I need to make it spread across his
entire face.
He turns to face me. “What are you talking about?”
“The humuhumunukunukuapuaa.”
“What is a humu-whatever?”
“The state fish of Hawaii.”
His smile broadens. “Of course it is.” He turns the key in the ignition. His eyes linger on
his house and his smile fades, just slightly. “How long?”
“Two nights.”
“OK.” He grabs my hand and gives it a quick kiss. “Let’s go see this fish.”