49
:
Hula Practice
Practice takes time
and this afternoon I have
nothing but. I haven’t gotten any phone calls for work.
No sense washing our windows today. It’s raining.
Again. Raining so hard I can’t hear the music next door.
The wind gusts outside and the hula papers on my
dresser scatter to the floor. The small gray-and-white
cat figurine Cindy gave me as a going-away gift tumps
over on the bamboo tray.
I shut the windows before more damage is
done, right the cat, and collect the pages from Mrs.
Halani. They hold the words for each song, with the
English translation as needed, and instructions for the
movements.
I should dance each hula three times, she said.
A portable hi-fi came with the house. Mama bought
me the hula records I need.
So I will dance.
I place a record on the turntable and begin.
