Sujata Massey - Shimura Trouble

“I WAS BEGINNING to wonder where everyone had gone.” Michael’s gaze slid from me to Kainoa.

“Michael, this is Kainoa Stevens. He owns the coffee shop I told you about.”

Kainoa looked at Michael, perplexed. “I thought your cousin was Japanese.”

“Hey, I was born on the Japanese island of Kyushu.” Michael grinned at him. “Can’t you tell?”

I burst out laughing, because this was something I had no idea about, but could very well be true, since Michael’s father had been in the Navy. I said, “Michael’s an old friend. He lived here for a while, and arrived last night for Transpac.”

“Oh, the hot-shot boat race,” Kainoa said in the same exaggerated accent. “Or should I say regatta? What do haoles call it?”

“Call it whatever you want. I don’t really care.” The warmth in Michael’s tone had evaporated.

“Used to live here, huh? Where did you go to high school?” Kainoa asked.

“Near Manoa Valley,” Michael answered.

“Punahou?”

“Don’t tell me you’re also a graduate?” Michael returned the volley.

“No way, man. I’m a proud graduate of Kamehameha-you know, the school for Hawaiians.”

“Everyone in Hawaii seems very interested in high school,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “I hated mine, so I put those years behind me as fast as I could. Well, thanks for the ride back, Kainoa. I really appreciate it.”

“Sure. And remember, don’t be a stranger-you’ve got my number!” Kainoa swaggered back to his truck, made a U-turn, and burned rubber heading out of the cul-de-sac.

“Well, it was awfully nice of him to give me a ride,” I said to Michael. “Though it wasn’t very nice of him to call you a haole. About the phone number, I’ll gladly explain…”

“You don’t need to explain anything. I know you have a vast network of friends. But I had really hoped that this week you were planning on dating me. But now I learn I’m just an old friend.”

“What else could I say? And I’m not dating Kainoa. He’s a recent acquaintance.”

“I see.” Michael shook his head, looking at me. “From the way he looked in his overall, and the state of your clothes, I wonder what you were doing: climbing all over him?”

I glanced down at my tank top, once red and white, and now covered with black ash. “Obviously some of the ash is from running through burned fields. But yes, I hugged Kainoa briefly when I found him, because he was so upset. Like he told you, he lost everything in the fire.”

“I’m sorry for anyone hurt by the fire,” Michael said. “But something tells me it’s not a good thing that you’ve made this acquaintance.”

“Really? Give me one good reason.”

Michael shrugged. “Can’t really explain. It’s my gut.”

Gut instinct was everything-in antiques or spying-so I tried to sound reasonable in my protest. “I appreciate your concern, Michael, but I’ve learned a lot about the island from Kainoa. And his connections are amazing. Today, as we were driving across the Pierce fields, we ran into the Pierce family’s lands manager chauffeuring Mitsuo Kikuchi, the Japanese investor who’s trying to buy and develop more beachfront property from Josiah Pierce. It was an incredible stroke of luck, meeting Kikuchi in advance of Josiah Pierce; I’ll have something interesting to tell him.”

“Maybe I slept through you telling me about a Josiah Pierce meeting last night,” Michael said. “When and where is it?”

“One o’clock, at his home on Tantalus Road. It’s north of Honolulu.”

“I know where Tantalus is. It’s a beautiful historic neighborhood built on a mountain-rather remote, but the residents like it that way.”

“What’s your schedule this afternoon? Can you go with me?” I asked impulsively.

“Of course. But you’re so independent; why would you want me tagging along?”

“Oh, just to clue me in on your gut instincts.”

“Well, I’d better tell you that I may be a liability, in this case. In my class at Punahou there was a boy named Will Pierce, who might be related to your Pierce. His father’s name was like a girl’s name, Lindy or something…”

“Lindsay,” I said. “Lindsay Pierce is the younger brother of Josiah Pierce the Second. And don’t be so pessimistic; maybe finally this Punahou thing will finally play in your favor.”

“It won’t be a good thing. Will and I had a series of fights the year I was in school. Our fathers talked, if you could call it that.”

“Is this the reason you were expelled?” I caught my breath.

“Partially. I was a pretty troubled kid, but I’ll tell you about that some other time.”

“You’re right. It’s already almost eleven. There’s not a lot of time for me to eat something, shower and get dressed for the interview.”

“How long will your grooming take? Do I need to apply extra sunscreen?”

“About ten minutes-and yes, you do need more sunscreen. Whether you like it or not, you’re a white guy.” I blew him a kiss and went inside.

MICHAEL LOOKED TAKEN aback when, nine minutes later, I emerged, scented with jasmine and wearing a chrysanthemum-patterned wrap dress.

“That was quick.”

“I want to make sure we have time to get there.” I’d been hoping for more of a compliment than quick, because the dress reminded me of a vintage Japanese textile. But I wore no make-up except for lip gloss, and I’d slicked my wet hair back with a leave-in conditioner instead of drying it.

“We’re in very good shape, although wouldn’t you know, I’m low on sunscreen. On the way to Tantalus, can we swing by my favorite store? I don’t think it’ll take more than twenty-five minutes.”

“We could go to Long’s Drug in Kapolei.”

“I’m sure my store has better prices.” Michael combated my annoyed expression with a sly grin. “You told me yourself that I’m the cheapest man in America. I’ve decided to embrace my nature.”

Michael’s special store turned out to be military-a super-sized, double-floored Navy Exchange located in the section of Pearl Harbor that was unguarded and more or less open to the public. Still, I could only enter the Exchange escorted by Michael, who had decided to dress down his image and only show his State Department I.D.

“By the way, I’m the only one who can actually purchase things. So if you want something, let me know. Don’t attempt to buy it yourself, or you’ll get in trouble.”

Michael selected two tubes of Neutrogena Sport, and then led me downstairs via an escalator. “Why don’t we stop in jewelry for a minute? I had a brainstorm that we should wear wedding rings to your interview with Josiah Pierce.”

“That’s overkill, don’t you think?”

“Sssh.” Michael looked around. “It’ll make me seem more legitimate. Unless you’ve already told him I’m your old friend.”

“I didn’t mention you when I spoke to him…”

“Superb. That makes me your husband. You can explain that you didn’t mention I’d be along earlier because you didn’t know when my sailboat was arriving.”

“Michael, I can do that, but I think you’re trouble-shooting to an extreme degree. Sometimes telling the truth is easier than lying. Have you ever thought of that?”

“Too much.” Michael smiled at me. “Come on, let’s shop.”

At least I wasn’t paying out of my own pocket for this nonsense, I thought as we were fussed over by many friendly Filipina sales clerks at the jewelry counter. Apparently we were on the old side for prospective newlyweds-much was made of Michael’s silvery hair, which he seemed to enjoy a bit too much. I concentrated on selecting comfortable golden bands for the two of us, after which Michael declared I needed an engagement ring, too, and we went to the counter with diamonds and cubic zirconium rings. I pointed to another gold band with an oversized cubic zirconium solitaire surrounded by tiny fragments of the artificial crystal. It looked properly bridal, but Michael didn’t seem pleased.