Simple. Part II

There are newspaper hawkers on some street corners in alohaland. A lot of times, it is younger children, around 10-12, hawking. For the most part, they are busy kids. ADHD busy. Most are probably from very low income households in the more impoverished areas. The hawk papers like a drug dealer sells his wares, albeit, they sell printed words.

A couple of shifts at the firehouse a week, we travel to a busy intersection where 2 hawkers work. Both are "mentally challenged" to varying degrees. One is "Billy-Girl", and the partner, I never knew what his name was. They are high spirited salespeople. Driving in the firetruck, they always hoot, holler or someway or another get our attention. As a rule, on the truck, there are at least 4. A Captain, driver, and 2 to 3 Firefighters. You live together for 24 hours, so knowing personalities comes easy.

Sometimes, you work with assholes.

I have never figured out what it is in mankind that guides him to ridicule the less fortunate. What kind of shibai, (bullshit) infected your views of fellow humans? We had a relief FF come to work with us, and we passed Billy-girl and pal. Always cordial, they holler, throw a wave, whatevers. We acknowledge back, and if stopped, "talk story" from the cab of the truck. This FF when we left, after making ignorant, repugnant remarks, spit on him.

I wanted to emasculate the fuckwad.

But you cant do that, so how do you deal?

Boiling with anger, I could barely think straight for the drill we had to do. All the time, I wanted revenge, come-uppance, something. Blind with foaming rage.

This hit was not pono (righteous).

But payback, it comes around in ways you are not really privy to question.

We get back to the station. In the driveway is our Chief, a sedan, and a Honolulu Advertiser delivery truck.

Billys partner knew enough to complain.

The FF was sent home, (working OT, so lose money, asswipe!) We apologized as best we could to Billy's partner, her and the staff of the paper that was there.

Apologies are not enough sometimes. If you had the power to stick a person in someone elses life, if just for a day, wouldnt it be wonderous to see real change?

Simple.

Somethings are not as simple as I or anyone else may wish or desire.

I still wish I cracked the fool.

Maybe that wouldnt be pono either, but it would feel good.

Empathy, what a great thing to be blessed with.

Peace, Aloha.