Aloha, Mahalo (Big Dreams)

And on the first day of May, Evan decided to turn over a new leaf. He got up early, made his bed, fixed himself breakfast, cleaned out the guinea pig's cage and packed a bag, leaving plenty of food and water and a note for Leslie upstairs. "Hi Leslie, I'll be gone for a while. Not sure when I'll be returning. Thank you for feeding and watering Fred. I've left his food on the counter and money to cover future expenses. The info for the vet is on the fridge. Oh, please help yourself to the leftover cantaloupe and strawberries- they're organic. You won't be able to contact me by cel but I will check my email when possible. Apologies for the short notice but something has come up that needs my immediate attention." And with that, Evan turned off the light above the stove, checked the timer in the living room, washed up his tea mug and plate from his morning toast and grabbed his passport and spare credit card.  No time like the present to activate extra credit. Evan had always wanted to see the Hawaiian Islands. Swim with turtles and snorkel over great reefs. He had yet to conquer his fear of water but today of all days, Evan believed anything was possible. He is going to find the shortest flight overseas and and be in the water by sundown. He has no idea exactly how long it will take to get there but the movie made it seem like it was more than worth the effort. All his life, Evan has been searching for a reason to live and as soon as he saw the man snorkelling alongside giant sea turtles, he knew. Evan must swim with the turtles. Come hell or high water. From Kahalui he will head to Lahaina, hire a boat and head to Molokai and swim with giant, prehistoric sea turtles. Then Evan will be complete. His life will finally have meaning. A meaning bigger than his quiet, anonymous, inconsequential existence in Tweed filing out forms on behalf of irritated, entitled, dissatisfied customers of the government.  He will become one with the great animals of the ocean, and for once in his life he will be bigger than himself.

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