The hotel ballroom was decorated like a well-appointed high-school prom with banners and flowers and brightly colored balloons. The combination of beauty queens and corporate interests was an alchemy that was rich in energy and emotion. The girls enjoyed the feeling of power and honor brought about by the reputations and mystique of the corporations that fueled their community.
At the Kobayashi Tool Company table where Star was the guest of honor included Star’s mother and father, Grandma Sakamoto, Marie Ann, and Tyler McGowan. Because of the success she was having, Herman Kobayashi, the executive vice president of the company was a surprise guest with his wife, Mona. Everyone was excited regarding the pageant standings and Star was taking the attention with surprise and gentle modesty. Mona addressed the obvious aspect of the contest during dinner.
“Tell us how excited you’re in being a semifinalist. It must be quite a surprise as a first-year contestant.”
“It’s quite exciting. I think that all the support I have been provided by my family has been the key to our success. I hope that I will not disappoint them.”
Grandma Sakamoto spoke for the family.
“Darling, that wouldn’t be possible. You will always be our favorite beauty. We just knew you would do well.”
“Thank you, Grandma. That means a lot to me.”
Star’s mom responded.
“We are terribly proud of Star. It was a nice surprise seeing her progress in the competition. It was more than we could have ever hoped for.”
Marie Ann was bursting with pride and optimism, and she took this moment to express her competitive spirit.
“And now things get really exciting. As we go into the finals, there’s so much pressure on the girls. It’s our job to make things easier for Star.”
Mr. Kobayashi stood with a glass of champagne and spoke for the company. As the guests at the Kobayashi Tools table rose their glasses to toast Star who watched the people of table seven stand and raise their glasses in honor.
“It is an honor for Kobayashi Tools to be Star’s sponsor. Here’s to her success and….”
Christina Winslow and a handsome young male escort approached the table to present herself as the belle of the ball.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Christina Winslow. Star and I are in the same group. Thank you all so much for coming to the dinner. Your support is very heart warming,” she said while gesturing hugs and kisses to Marie Ann and her sister.
Star abruptly stood up to flank Christina and protect her home turf.
“Christina and I have been through the entire competition together. I’m confident that when the final court is assembled she will be joining me on it.”
“I appreciate your support and look forward to completing and being together on the court. In the end we both will be winners,” Christina volleyed with poise and style.
“We’re both very fortunate to be in this position. Shouldn’t you be getting back to your table? The program is about to start,” Star offered impatiently.
“Tell us…” Marie Ann interjected, “did you see Star’s jazz performance?”
Christina nodded.
“Star has taught us a lot about the great Japanese Jazz musicians like Aki Takase and Charlie Kosei. Tell us your favorites?” Before Cristina could answer, Marie Ann looked to Star.
“Who is that wonderful jazz saxophonist Kaori…?”
“You mean Kaori Kobayashi; she is the niece of my sponsor and a brilliant fusion flautist as well. Her album Luv Sax is terrific,” Star said with an enthusiastic and purposeful glint in her eye.
“We’re so very proud of her. She’s playing in Paris this month,” Mr. Kobayashi said proudly.
Winslow felt the attention slip away from her and stood motionless looking for the right moment to escape. Marie Ann wasn’t done.
“Christina, I heard your poetry reading was…cute. By the way I loved the costume you wore. Did you make it yourself?” Marie Ann said while speaking in a soft tone that made the question even more revealing. Christina’s face turned flush as she stepped away from the table without responding to the wicked suggestion.
“Good evening,” said Christina as she grabbed the hand of her escort and fled on the faded green carpet separating the white linen tablecloths on the circular banquet tables.
The Kobayashi Tools table waited patiently until she was out of earshot. Marie Ann spoke her truth.
“That girl is not to be trusted. She’s the one who gave Star the ex-lax. If I could, I would hurt her.”
“That was cruel, Marie Ann. You shouldn’t be heartless. She’s just a young ambitious girl.” Grandma said while moving the stray pea pods on her plate around to soak up the remaining steak juices on her plate before carrying them by chopsticks to her awaiting mouth.
“I got my eye on her now,” Star said.
Mona and Herman were surprised how animated the Sakamoto clan became after the visit by Christina.
“I didn’t know the competition was so intense,” said Mona.
“I would think the pageant official should know about the incident.” Herman advised.
“It doesn’t happen all the time. The best thing we can do is act as if it never happened. This was just a childish prank that was thoughtless and a little cruel. It’s nothing serious,” Marie Ann said assuredly.
The Kobayashi Tools table guests picked at their desserts with little interest. The dinner program was completing the introduction of the pageant contestants and they were asked to stand at their tables while the audience gave polite applause. When the announcer got to Star, he paused for added suspense before revealing her combined rating before entering the final stage of the competition.
“Star Mathews is the first newcomer who has reached the semifinals. Star’s rating of 8.9 is the highest score of all the competitors,” he said over the buzz of excitement that was building. Everyone wondered if a rookie like her could navigate the tension and challenges facing the woman who wanted to be honored as the Gardena Cherry Blossom Festival Pageant Queen.
As Star stood by her chair and accepted the recognition from the adorning crowd, she let their gratitude sweep over her as if she was underneath a powerful waterfall. The moment left her cleansed of the difficult events that she had experienced and refreshed with the emergence of a new energy and optimism for the next stage of her journey.
The woman who sat down in her seat of honor at the Kobayashi Tools Company was not the same girl who had risen from her chair a few short minutes before.
