We both popped up excited about what lay ahead. Marissa went into the bathroom to clean up a bit and brush her hair while I got dressed and ready to head for lunch and the flower shop. We were both smiling and ready to go within ten minutes so out the door we went.
We decided on a Hawaiian deli in a nearby shopping center that also housed the grocery store and florist. After a simple but tasty lunch, we stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few last-minute items Marissa wanted and then, hand in hand we walked the short distance to the flower shop. Once inside we were bombarded with tropical aromas as we looked at the various arrangements. We picked out a nice bouquet for the guest bedroom and then asked the clerk what she suggested for long lasting Hawaiian leis. She showed us to matching leis with yellow and purple plumeria blooms intermixed with some sort of leaves that were quite attractive and smelled amazing.
Excitedly we carried our purchases to our sporty crossover SUV and headed back to the condo to fix everything up for our much-anticipated guests. I fixed each of us a passion fruit ice tea to enjoy on the balcony before heading to the airport.
Ron and Kay's flight from Honolulu was to arrive at 5:15 so about 4:00 we headed to the airport so we would be there in plenty of time. We knew that traffic on the islands is always crazy around quitting time so we allowed plenty of time. As it turns out we were right in doing so because the normal 30-minute trip to the airport took nearly an hour. We were in the outdoor covered baggage claim area waiting as passengers came through the doors from the terminal. We were of course excited with the lei's in hand waiting for our Minnesota friends. Marissa had already suggested that she should place her lei on Ron and I would greet Kay. Of course, I reminded her that the Hawaiian greeting also included a friendly kiss.
We were waiting only about 15 minutes when folks from their flight started coming through the doors heading to the baggage claim area. Ron and Kay weren't at the front of the group but they weren't too far back either. I recognized them right away and pointed them out to Marissa. I could tell she was more excited than a kitten in a field of catnip. She was nearly jumping up and down as she saw how handsome Ron was in real life.
Within seconds, Kay saw us and started running toward us with a huge smile spread across her face. She first ran up to Marissa, dropped her carry on to the ground and gave Marissa a big hug. Ron caught up and gave me a smile and handshake before turning his attention to my beautiful wife. As Kay released Marissa she turned to me. With a huge smile, I placed the lei around her neck and gave her a chaste but genuine kiss on the lips. Glancing over my shoulder I saw Ron bow down so Marissa could put the lei over his head and then she gave him his first kiss from my bride. All four of us were beaming and even glowing with excitement.
It doesn't take long for the smaller inter-island planes to unload the baggage so within minutes we had their luggage loaded in the back of the SUV and were on our way. Kay and Marissa sat in the back while I had Ron take the passenger side up front. Everybody wanted to talk at once so the first few miles were made up of nonstop chatter. Looking in the rearview mirror I noticed that Marissa and Kay were holding hands and exchanging glances to one another as they talked. Don't get me wrong, there was nothing sexual in their hand holding but more like long lost friends excited to be together again. I just noticed it and thought how different this is from when Marissa was with friends back home. She and Kay definitely had a sisterly connection going on and that pleased the heck out of me.
The drive to the condo was much easier than the drive to the airport had been. Traffic was much lighter going this direction. Along the way, Marissa and I were pointing out various sites and places of interest. The trip flew by and about a half hour later we were pulling into our parking space at the condo.
Both Ron and Kay commented how beautiful the condo building was. It is a six-story building and our unit is on the sixth floor. The outside elevators were glass commanding a beautiful view of the mountains and surrounding area while ascending or descending. I couldn't wait to open the entry door of our unit because as soon as you enter, your vision is drawn to the amazing wall of glass looking directly out to sea.
I held the key card up against the sensor on the door and heard the distinctive click. I opened the door and then stood aside to let Ron and Kay enter their home away from home. As expected, the view took their breath away and they both immediately dropped their luggage and walked to the windows in front of them. Looking out they could see the island of Molokai in the distance and looking down, there was a beautiful but narrow white sand beach. Our condo complex had a nice grass area of about 30 or 40 feet between the building and the beach with several sets of about five or six steps leading from the grass down to the sand.
Kay turned around looking at us and said: "It's just beautiful! I can't believe that we are right on the ocean! And to think we really get to stay here, I need to pinch myself to make sure this is real!" She put her arm around Ron who also had turned to face us with an equally big beaming smile.
I said, "Let's show you around and get your things into the guest suite. I grabbed Kay's roller bag and said; "As you can see, this is the living area." You could tell by the expression on their faces that they were very impressed. The room was tastefully furnished with a modern Polynesian theme with lots of color and flowers. There was also a large 50" flat screen TV mounted to the wall along with wonderful original art work fitting for the islands. To the left of the living room was the spacious balcony with expensive outdoor furniture.
The balcony also had sliding glass doors into the master suite so we entered the room that was also nicely furnished with a California Kings size bed and matching dresser. There was a walk-in closet and a huge master bath with a stand-alone tub and large tile shower. Next, we were back in the living and dining area on our way to the guest suite. The guest room was identical in size to the front master and it also had a walk-in closet. It too had its own huge bathroom the same size and layout as the main master bath. The only difference was the color of the travertine tile was slightly different as were the colors on the walls. But it had the same California king bed and matching dresser and a magnificent view of the mountains of Maui.
I lifted the medium size roller bag I had been pulling around with me onto the bed and Ron did the same with the bag he was pulling behind him. I wasn't sure why they had two suitcases since Marissa and I travel light when coming to Hawaii but I guess they wanted to be prepared for anything. I later learned that they had brought a couple of board games and Ron's swim fins that took up a bunch of room in one of the cases. They also had a large box of chocolates for us as a gift as well as some specialty food items typical of Northern Minnesota to share with us.
Marissa and Kay were talking with each other again so on my way out of their room I leaned into Ron and mentioned that perhaps he shouldn't completely unpack his bag since he might be moving to the other suite the next day if all went well. By now it was about 6:20 so I suggested they freshen up and perhaps catch a quick nap before dinner at 7:30.
Tonight, we had planned on having a light meal on our own balcony. Marissa was fixing up a nice Caesar salad and I was grilling some fresh Mahi Mahi. We had a nice white wine in the fridge getting cooled down. Earlier at the grocery stores bakery we had picked up some nice focaccia cheese bread to broil as well.
Marissa and I could hear excited whispers coming from the guest suite followed by about twenty minutes of silence. Travel can be tiring so perhaps they conked out for a few winks. We kept our voices down so as not to disturb them but I did get a chance to ask her what she thought. Her first comment was that Ron was a hunk and handsome as well. I could tell she was hoping to get to know him better. She asked; "Do you really think we should talk with them tonight or should we wait til tomorrow?"
"Let's just play it by ear and see what happens" I replied. With that I put on some nice background Hawaiian music on the stereo unit and opened the sliding doors so we could hear it out on the balcony. Marissa and I went out there to collect our thoughts and enjoy the sunset.
About 7:15 I took the Mahi Mahi down to the grill. It looked delicious! The grill was already hot since someone else had just finished using it so the fish only took about ten minutes to cook. I was walking back into the condo carrying the plate of fish just as Ron and Kay walked out of their bedroom suite. Immediately she said: "That looks wonderful and I'm starved."
We sat down at the balcony table that Marissa had beautifully set. By now there was just a faint bit of sunlight still showing in the distant sky but the full moon was visible overhead. Dinner was delightful and the conversation was lighthearted. I asked if they had called home to let the kids know that they arrived safely. Ron informed us that they called while still on the plane waiting for their turn to disembark. The wine was finished so Marissa brought out the box of chocolates they had given us as a light dessert.
It was getting close to 9:00 and I could see their eyes beginning to droop after a long day of travel. So, I said, "Well, I know it's early but you two must be exhausted, why not go in and get some much-needed sleep. There's no hurry to get up tomorrow so sleep in as long as you want. Tomorrow is an easy day of just lounging around the beach and perhaps a bit of a stroll down the boardwalk. We all said our good nights and they drifted toward their suite.
