Illumine Her Read Online Free PDF Page B

burglar had to do was give the mutts a piece of bread and they would gladly roll over and let them pass.
    “ Ea lau kala ? What did you say?” Sala shook her head and tossed pieces of bread out as Alana bolted to the awaiting vehicle.
    “Bye, Sala! Thanks for breakfast.” She moved hurriedly and hopped into the pick-up truck, slamming the door firmly.
    “Good morning!” Lisi smiled brightly, handing her a cup of coffee from their favorite local café.
    “You are my savior,” Alana said, taking the beverage and sipping the warm latte.
    Lisi, a fellow nurse at the hospital, instantly befriended Alana during her first week at work. Mid-thirties, married to a sailor, and well-rounded from giving birth to four children, Alana appreciated getting rides with her every morning since David always left early and took the only family car to work.
    “Ready for the big meet?” Lisi asked when they were on the main road.
    “We should be! I swear it’s like everyone’s been sitting on pins and needles. It’s time to deflate the stress balloon,” Alana responded by snapping her fingers.
    “I heard the donor flew in on his private jet last night. Isn’t that crazy? I’ve never met anyone who owns his own private jet before,” Lisi said.
    “ Lifestyles of the rich and the famous ,” Alana sang. “He must be some really old bag who’s on his deathbed and wants one last hurrah before he goes out.”
    “Alana!” Lisi admonished, swatting her across the arm.
    “Watch the coffee! But seriously, how much money can someone have that he'd be willing to donate a substantial amount to a small island in the Pacific? This old man is loaded!”
    “And we are very grateful for it.”
    Alana smiled. “Yes. Of course. I’m just curious what his story is. What’s making him travel all the way over here?”
    “He’s an incredibly generous person, that’s what.”
    Lisi parked the truck in the hospital parking lot, and they made their way to the nurses’ station. The head RN, Donna, was already barking out orders to the intern by the time they entered the office.
    “And I don’t want to see any of those boxes laying on the floor. Get rid of them. These curtains need to be washed and louvers wiped down. Oka , why are these things always left to the last minute? We don’t have much time so be quick about it.” She glanced up and spotted Alana and Lisi. “Oh good, you’re here. Meeting starts in five. See you in the staffroom.”

    The meeting room was buzzing with doctors and nurses alike dressed in their finest scrubs and Crocs. Manu approached Alana and tapped her playfully under the chin. “Hey Lana. Quite the fiasco, isn’t it?” She snorted and nodded her assent.
    “Alright, people, let’s settle down,” one of the head doctors spoke, and the room quieted immediately. “As you are aware, we will be hosting a very special guest this afternoon that is flying in from America. He will be arriving at one, and the ‘ava ceremony will take place shortly after in the main fale . For those who are not on rotation, please be prompt.…”
    “Hey,” Manu whispered beside her. “Do you have that time off?”
    “I’m off for a few. I want to see what this guy is all about, maybe get to shake his billionaire hand,” Alana whispered back.
    “…and the caterers will be serving lunch afterward. Let me remind you that while it is a buffet, save some for the others who will be on rotation. Okay, let’s get back to work, people. We have patients waiting.”

    Alana checked the board for notices before making her rounds. She visited the older gentleman first.
    “Alana, aren’t you a sight for these old man eyes,” he croaked as she checked his vitals and changed the IV bag. “That flower in your ear is very pretty, as are you.”
    Alana smiled warmly down at him. He had the same kind eyes her father had. “Now there, Mr. Filipo, if my Sala could hear what you just said she would be piling them all over my head.”
    She