Hula Hula- a short story written by Berni Albrighton

 

 Ken looked as if he’d forgotten she was coming.  

“Hey Uncle Ken.  I’ve come for the curtains”

“ Um, you’re a bit early. Never mind, come in.”

“So how have you been Uncle? We haven't seen you around for ages.”

“Oh, you know. Busy.” 

“I met Nancy, she said you stopped going dancing. That's not like you, you love your dancing.”

“Yes well I’ve been rather preoccupied.” 

It was then she noticed he was wearing a long kaftan.

“What’s with the Demis Roussos look Uncle Ken?”

He looked down,  smoothing the material.  

“ I rather like wearing this, it’s so comfortable, really you ought to get yourself one. Follow me, the curtains are in here.”

They walked into the lounge, Lisa noticed everything had been pushed back. 

“Are you having a change around? The room looks huge with the sofa and everything up against the wall.”

“I’ve been practising.” He let out an uncomfortable cough.  “Here they are. They’ve been washed. I know how funny your Mum can be about things like that.” 

Lisa bent to pick them up off the sofa and noticed what looked like a hula hula skirt behind a cushion.

“Uncle Ken.” she said slowly and uncertainly.  “Why have you got a hula hula skirt?” 

“Oh,  it's um, it's not mine.”

“Okay, so have you had visitors lately? Is that why you’ve been busy?” she asked. 

“You know Lisa, ever since you could talk you’ve always asked questions.  You never miss a thing.”

 

Lisa decided he looked very uncomfortable. 

“If you must know,” he continued, “I’m teaching myself a new dance and I feel more in the spirit of things when I wear traditional outfits.”

“But a hula hula skirt Uncle?” 

“Yes.” He picked it up and shook it out.  “I find it rather liberating to be honest, but I don’t suppose you would understand would you? Do you?”  

“Listen Uncle Ken, each to their own, whatever makes you happy and all that.” she turned to leave. 

“I’ll show you a little of my dancing if you like.” 

Lisa caught the hopeful edge to his words.   

“Okay”

“Lovely. Go get yourself a drink, make yourself comfy. Back in five. Oh and, best not mention this to your Mum, she wouldn't understand.” 

A few minutes later her Uncle's voice called out. 

“Alexa, play Best of Hawaii." 

The light playful sound of Hawaiian music filled the room and Uncle Ken sashayed in, barefoot, hula skirt swaying, a garland of flowers around his neck, and a white flower behind his ear. 

As Lisa walked into her Mum's house, blackout curtains under her arm, her Mum called out from her usual chair in the living room. She won’t have moved from it since Lisa left earlier. 

“That you Lisa? How's your Uncle Ken? What he does with himself shut away in that bloody house all day is beyond me. Never goes out, never sees anyone.” 

“Oh, you know Uncle Ken Mum. Nothing ever changes, same old. Cup of tea?”