THE RETURN OF WILKINS

He parked on the slope next to Gramma's jeep and opened his door cautiously. Leo and Spotty circled the Datsun and sniffed the tires. Wilkins climbed out. His hair was silver and slicked back. He wore a white suit with a blue tie and carried a grocery bag. Leo and Spotty barked as he closed in on the beach house. When Wilkins was a few feet from the doorstep, Ben flopped on the pune'e and I sat beside him. Ben punched me in the shoulder and I punched him back. Gramma returned to the big room and walked awkwardly in her heels. She swung open the screen door just as Wilkins was about to knock. Aloha, Norman, she said, long time, no see! Isn't that the god's truth, Wilkins said hugging her on the doorstep. Oh, Julia, he said, you're just as beautiful as the day we met at Aloha Tower. I'll bet, Ben said.Wilkins came in. He had blue eyes, a long thin nose, and a narrow jaw. His hair had blond streaks in it and he was my father's height. He was built like a dancer. Ah, he said nodding at Ben and me, these must be your grandsons.Come meet Mistah Wilkins, Gramma said.