Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me by Lurline Wailana McGregor

Author:Lurline Wailana McGregor
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780873362061
Publisher: Kamehameha Publishing

One hot summer morning in August, 1972, Albert and Elizabeth dropped baby Moana off at Aunty Puamana’s and said they would be back in a couple of hours. They were off to attend a political rally for presidential candidate George McGovern and Hawai‘i Democrats seeking elected offices in the upcoming election. It was a festive event with free-flowing alcohol and a performance by a popular Hawaiian music group called the Sunday Mānoa. Albert was enjoying seeing old friends and being introduced to candidates and elected officials he didn’t yet know. He had lost count of the number of drinks he had consumed by late afternoon. Elizabeth did not drink and was getting anxious about picking up Moana. She knew that Moana and Puamana loved each other, but she had reservations about Aunty Puamana and was never comfortable leaving Moana alone with her for too long.

“Albert, honey, we told Puamana we’d be back to pick up Moana in a couple hours,” Elizabeth pleaded. “It’s been almost five hours, and it’s going to be time for Moana’s dinner soon.”

Albert was not ready to leave and tried to cajole Elizabeth. “Don’t worry, honey, I’m sure Moana’s fine. You know how much she and her aunty love each other. I doubt they’re keeping track of time.”

“You know I get nervous when Moana is around her aunt without supervision,” Elizabeth added testily.

“Liz, look around,” Albert said grandly, making a sweeping gesture around the room. “The who’s who of the entire state of Hawai‘i is here. These are the people I need to know if I’m going to make it in this town. I’m not leaving until I’ve shaken hands with every single candidate. Changing his tone, he added, “I don’t know what you don’t trust about Aunty Puamana. She raised me for the first seven years of my life. Those were the happiest days I have ever known.” Albert turned and walked to the bar to get another drink.

Albert and Elizabeth pulled up to Aunty Puamana’s house in their BMW 2002 after the sun had set and the light was fading. By this time they were eight hours late, a fact Elizabeth was keenly aware of but which didn’t concern Albert at all. Not finding them in the house, Elizabeth ran down to the beach calling for them as Albert walked unsteadily behind.

Elizabeth first saw Aunty sitting on the beach. She assumed Aunty was watching Moana play on the shore. As she got closer, she saw Moana sitting in water up to her waist, splashing and laughing. She was relieved that everything was fine until she got closer and saw a large dark shape moving nearby in the water. Elizabeth’s heart started beating faster as she looked closer. When the shape surfaced enough for its dorsal fin to rise above the water, Elizabeth screamed and ran into the water to grab Moana.

Albert stood next to Aunty Puamana as they both watched this scene play out. Elizabeth was hysterical. This was a moment Albert had dreaded, as he knew he would now have to make a choice between his two families, his two lives.

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