Chasing Tides

Chapter 6

The next morning I gathered my things from his bedroom, and made sure everything was even more tidy than before I arrived. I tip-toed out into the kitchen, peering over the couch, to check if he was still sleeping. He wasn't, he was gone. Of course, I should have expected that. I walked over to the kitchen and started in on the few dishes that lay around, I had to do something out of gratitude. I washed each one carefully, and then poked around until I found their rightful homes.

I left the house and started down the not-actually-long driveway. As I made my way around the first bend, I almost ran smack into a man. I dodged out of the way, and turned to look at him. He was a native Hawaiian, maybe 22, and about 6'0.

"Hey, looks like the loner here has got himself a girl" he looked surprised, but joking at the same time. "First one this year." He mumbled under his breath, though I was able to catch it.

"Oh, I just spent the night here, not anything more." I said, defending myself. Nothing close to what he thought.

"Right..." He chuckled. "Kyle." He held his hand out, still chuckling.

"Taylor." I replied reluctantly, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you, and uh... It wasn't like that." I walked off.

"Hey! Do you need a ride?" He said back to me, with a kind look in his eyes.

"No, oh God please no." I said, laughing.

On the road I decided I needed car. I got lucky to find a place for last night, but it wasn't likely to do so again. I pulled out my phone and called a taxi. Within 30 minutes a green Prius with yellow check along the side was pulling up. A short man got out and took my bags, tossing them into the back. I got in.

"Where to Ma'am?"

"Nearest car rental please?" I said smiling back at his bubbly face.

"As you wish." and he pulled onto the street.

"So where you from?" He asked, his English not perfect, but his expressions kind.

"California." I said still smiling.

"Ahhh, The Golden State." He said chuckling "and what brings you to the island?"

"My parents actually, they were having some troubles, and I needed to get away."

"On your own miss? For how long, are you here?"

"I'm planning on two weeks, but I have yet to book my return flight."

"If you don't mind my asking, Ma'am, how old are you?."

"Seventeen. I'll be 18 soon." I replied.

"And you said you want to rent car?"

"Um yes, I do."

"You know you must be 25, but if you are interested, I have Jeep for 1,000?"

"Well, ok." I considered, my fake ID only passed me for 22 and I really did need a car. I wasn't sure why I had told him all this, but something in me trusted this man, his smile was sincere. As he turned off the highway and headed towards, what I assumed was his home, He told me about his wife, his kids, and his dog. I was just praying to God that I wasn't about to get murdered.

His house was normal, and in the front was a Jeep, it was perfect. He got out and he showed me to it, turning off the clock as we arrived.

"This is for you." He looked at me happily. "If you are interested"

I walked over to check it out, opening the doors and looking inside. Everything was in very good condition, one thousand was an absolute steal, and I could probably gather that much.