We will proceed six months later with a cultural event featuring various cultural practitioners. One was Halali'i, and the other was Lyle. Sharmaine and Wee-Sah were also in attendance. Before going on, Lyle arrived and sat in the performer's tent, waiting for his call-up. Sitting across from him was Wee-Sah, who stood up, greeted Lyle, and excused herself as she was the call-up. A short time later, Sharmaine appeared and sat on the small couch in front of Lyle, who offered his greeting and then an aloha. Sharmaine looked at Lyle, then reached into her purse and removed her cell phone, which she began to scroll through on some social media page. Simultaneously, Sharmaine stood up and walked out, glancing back briefly at Lyle as if he were some pariah who made her uncomfortable.
Lyle's call-up came a few minutes later. While standing on stage, he saw Sharmaine talking up Halali'i, and after his performance, he made a beeline to Halali'i to say hello. Figuring that Sharmaine may have forgotten who he was, Lyle would remind her of their previous meeting a few months ago at Kenny's. Halali'i and Lyle embraced, exchanging greetings. Sharmaine impatiently stood aside and gave her parting farewell to Halali'i only.
"Sharmaine," Lyle said. "I remember you from that meeting we had at Kenny's. You and Wee-Sah were there,"
Sharmaine walked off, completely ignoring Lyle. Lyle himself was raised in the old school, and things like that were not tolerated before. He stormed after her as she entered the small building where the snack shop and facilities were located. Sharmaine was waiting for him and cut him off.
"I didn't want to meet with you," Sharmain hissed. "I wanted to meet directly with Halali'i, but as much as we tried, Halali'i didn't return our e-mails or text messages. It was Wee-Sah's idea that we meet with you since you know Halali'i personally, so I was forced to sit there and put up with it."
"What?" Lyle couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"There are only certain types of Hawaiians I associate with, but your kind of Hawaiian—I don't," Sharmaine said, taking a step toward Lyle. "Drink, beat up your wife, on welfare, and poor your whole life? I don't bother being around your kind."
"I feel sorry for you, Sharmaine," Lyle shook his head.
"I don't need your sorry," Sharmaine sneered at him. "Save it for your mother; that's who you should feel sorry for."
"You should feel sorry for anyone who has ever loved you," Lyle began. "It's a big waste of their time."
In a few months, Sharmaine's life began to fall apart. After twenty years, she was fired from her job for skimming off the top and using that money to treat herself to lavish vacations in Vegas and Japan. The same was true of her children's soccer team, of which she was the treasurer. Her job let her go because of how long she'd worked there. They gave her the option to quit. The parent group of the soccer league didn't let it go. They had Sharmaine arrested for embezzlement. She served six months in jail, was given another six months of community service, and was then ordered by the court to pay back all the money she'd stolen. Two years later, trying to piece together what was left of her life, Sharmaine applied for a job as a maintenance engineer at a financial management company called Honolulu Trading. The normal interviewer was on her lunch break, so the CEO and owner conducted the interview herself. Imagine Sharmaine's surprise when Lyle walked in and sat before her. Without any awkwardness or trepidation, Lyle simply said, "You're hired. Can you start tomorrow?"
"Uh, yes," Sharmaine was shocked.
"Be here tomorrow, eight in the morning, on time," Lyle said while exiting the office.
Sharmaine was there the following morning a full fifteen minutes early. The secretary, Gretta, was surprised when she saw how Sharmain was dressed. Wearing a business suit and entirely made up, Gretta had to break it to her.
"You realize that the position you got hired for is a maintenance engineer, right?" Gretta asked.
"Yes," Sharmaine sighed with irritation. "Just take me to my office so I can get started."
Sharmaine followed Gretta to the elevator to the basement, which led to the janitor's closet. On the door of the janitor's closet, which was closed, was a sign that read, "MAINTENANCE ENGINEER."
"Here's your office," Gretta smirked. "Your coveralls are in there, so it's best to get crackin' immediately. Lyle doesn't like it when people miliapa."
…to be continued..
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