Mixed Blessings: Is Race Real? by J.M. Muse

Author:J.M. Muse
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2019-09-16T16:22:38+00:00

24

Seigi

The ladies left backstage and went to the holding area to be invited back on stage for the announcement of the finalists. Star drank herbal tea to settle her nerves. The bite of hunger in her stomach reminded her that she hadn’t eaten all day. Each new contestant who entered the holding room from their evening-gown interviews took a moment to acknowledge Star. Christina stayed on the opposite side of the room.

When the last semifinalists walked into the room, Star leaned into the mirror to touch up her makeup. Then she stood up, assumed her regal posture, and headed back onstage.

Back in front of the adoring audience, Star felt like her feet rested on small clouds and floated from one step to the next. She took her position in a wide semicircle with Watanabe in the middle. As he spoke, the excitement blossomed in the auditorium.

“This is the moment we all have been waiting for,” he intoned. “After a grueling five-day competition, we have eliminated thirty-four lovely ladies with tremendous charm and beauty representing the Gardena community. Now we have ten wonderful ladies, but five will make it to the court that will represent Gardena in the year ahead.”

A hush fell over the auditorium.

“I’ll name the five finalists who will comprise the Queen’s court,” Watanabe went on, “and then the Queen from the finalists. Let’s start with the fifth member of the court. The lucky girl is…Chloe Ito.”

Ito broke out in tears when she heard her name. The girls standing near her celebrated, hugging and air kissing while maintaining their composure.

“The fourth member of the Gardena Cherry Blossom Festival Court is Christina Winslow.”

Christina gave a mocking look of surprise, pressing fingertips to her collarbones without causing one hair to fall out of place.

“The third member of the Queen’s court will be Victoria Sato.”

Victoria cried gently and hugged the other girls. Star smiled and applauded her, feeling her anticipation bubble up her spine. This was it. She was almost there. The court, and possibly the crown, was waiting.

“The second-to-last finalist of the pageant is Sherry Yamada.”

Sherry folded over, holding her stomach, and then cupped her hands around her face. Star felt the hunger pains in her stomach turn into a rock of anxiety. Five of the girls left in the circle would be losers. Could one of them be her? That had seemed impossible until now, but with so few spots left, she was either the queen or a very high finisher. How much power did the judges have to overrule Ernie?

As Michael Watanabe took a beat before he spoke the last name on the list.

“The last member of this year’s court is…Keiko Phillips.”

The four other girls that weren’t Keiko moved slowly, as if their feet were bogged down in wet cement, to encircle her and share in her excitement. Star was numb but joined them in homage to Keiko.

The leftovers were led offstage quickly.

Star found herself back at the holding room. The seconds she stood alone seemed like eons and the loneliness she felt pierced her heart with disappointment.

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