Epilog to Blind Tiger

The sunshine’s heat prickled Steve McGarrett’s skin as he stepped out of the hospital. Pausing, he looked up at the pristine blue sky. Smiling, he took in a new appreciation of being able to see. Even the canary yellow cab parked at the curb looked beautiful. Walking over to it, he opened the rear door instructing the driver to take him to the Iolani Palace.

Touristy views took on new meanings to him. Even a small traffic jam didn’t faze him, instead it gave him time to look around with a new insight of the island he had called home for so many years.

Subconsciously, he wiped some moisture from his eyes as the cab turned down the long driveway leading to the historic building where he spent so much of his time. The goldish hue of the building seemed to welcome him home.

Thanking the driver, he paid his fare and got out. Lingering between the cab and the door for a second he took in the palatial view before him. Breathing in deep, he closed the car door and climbed the marble steps to the main floor. Taking the koa wood steps two at a time, he paused for a second at the top, looking down at the floor below before he continued to his office.

His hand lingered on the doorknob while he looked at the sign on the door. Smiling and feeling in total control once more, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

“Steve!” yelled Jenny.

The others heard her and chimed in their own welcomes. Smiling, McGarrett greeted each one individually as he stepped over to his office door. There, he hesitated for only a second before entering the inner sanctum of his world. Walking through, he opened the lanai doors and stepped over to the familiar railing. With a renewed appreciation, he took in the vista of the palace grounds.

“I didn’t know you were coming in so soon,” said Danny who had followed his friend. He was surprised but pleased to have his mentor back. Leaning up against the doorframe, he smiled and crossed his arms in front as he waited for McGarrett to reply.

“Doc said I should take a day or two to reacquaint myself to the seeing world, but I didn’t want to do that at home,” said McGarrett.

“You’re here more than you’re at your apartment. This has to be like a second home to you, so in a way you’re following his orders.”

McGarrett looked over at Danny and nodded. “Sometimes I wonder why I pay the rent there. I sleep more on the couch here than I do in my bed when we have a hot case going on.”

“Yeah, I know. I think we’ve all taken a turn on that couch. But really Steve, I’m glad but surprised you’re here.”

“Any thing going on that I need to be filled in on?”

“Nothing more than what we’ve already discussed. I do have a question for you though. What did you think of Nurse Lavallo when you got your sight back?” He hadn’t met the nurse as the case they were working on had kept him away from the hospital until late into the night or early evenings.

“I never got to see what she looked like. She called my room just before I left saying she had heard I was leaving and was stuck in surgery, so she couldn’t say goodbye. I thought the nurse I first saw was but she corrected my assumption immediately as she ordered me to put my slippers on before walking around.”

Laughing at the mental picture of his boss being ordered around, Danny smiled and shook his head.

“You know Danno, I never really appreciated the beauty of Hawaii until I thought I had lost my sight,” admitted McGarrett. He was standing in the doorway leading to the lanai. Sighing happily, he turned back to look at his friend and smiled.

“What are you smirking about?” asked Danny who now had positioned himself on his regular spot on the edge of McGarrett’s desk.

“Nothing…I’m just appreciating seeing some things I use to take for granted. Mahalo Danno.”

PAU