Sachi
December 25, 1941
Christmas morning. Quiet. Was she the first to wake?
What did Santa bring? Did I get my doll?
Then she remembered Papa.
She shut her eyes again, so tight, as though that might make it all a bad dream. But when she opened them, it all became real again.
The shrill ring of the telephone interrupted the silence. Mama rushed past Sachi’s room, tying her robe.
Sachi jumped out of bed to follow.
“Hello?” Mama twisted the phone cord around her finger. “Taro!” Her eyes widened and a smile lit her face. “Yes, merry Christmas to you, too.”
She rushed to Mama’s side to speak to her oldest brother.
“No, there hasn’t been any change in Papa’s condition. We’ll be going to the hospital again this morning.”
Sachi tugged on Mama’s robe. “I want to talk to him,” she whispered.
Mama shushed Sachi with her hand. “What did you say?” she asked. “You joined the Hawaiian Guard?” Her eyes rounded with worry. “Taro. Why did you do that? We need you here at home.”
Sachi’s heart pounded faster with each passing second. She had so much she wanted to say. “Can I talk now?” She tugged again.
Mama shook her head. “Yes, I understand. I will let Papa know. Yes. You have a merry Christmas, too. Goodbye.”
When Mama returned the phone to its hook, a door slammed on everything Sachi had wanted to tell Taro. The picture she’d drawn for Papa. Nobu sneaking her into Papa’s room. The mean nurse. “Why didn’t you let me talk to him?”
“It is very expensive to call from Hawaii. Your brother asked me to say ‘Merry Christmas’ to you, Nobu, and Papa.”
“He’s joined the Hawaiian Guard? What's that?”
“It's like the army. He said lots of Japanese American boys are enlisting.” Mama walked downstairs.
Sachi felt sad all over again. Papa in the hospital. Taro joining the army instead of coming home. No presents to open.
She followed her mother into the kitchen. She needed to ask a question, but hesitated. Still, she had to know. “Mama?”
Mama turned from the stove. “Yes? What is it now, Sachi-chan?”
“When do you think we might open our presents?” She felt selfish for asking, but she’d been waiting for days and days to celebrate a real Christmas.
Mama clucked her tongue and shook her head. “Sachiko, Sachiko. How can you even ask me such a thing … with Papa in the hospital and Taro joining—”
Nobu ambled into the kitchen. “Merry Christmas, you two.” He pulled out a chair and winked at Sachi, then said, “Why don’t we see how things go at the hospital today? Then, we’ll see about opening presents tonight.”
When they arrived at the hospital, Sachi knew the routine and plopped into a green chair in the waiting area. A tiny tree with colored lights twinkled from a table in the corner.
Before leaving the waiting area, Nobu whispered, “I’ll come back for you as soon as the coast is clear.”
Sachi smiled at her brother, then opened a book she’d brought. She’d only read a couple of pages when a cheery voice broke the silence.
“Well, good morning and merry Christmas to you!”
The deep, cheerful voice surprised her. But she was even more astounded when she looked up to see Santa Claus standing in front of her. Santa Claus? In the waiting area of the hospital? How could that be?
“Are you really Santa?” she asked.
“Mr. S. Claus himself,” he said, kneeling to greet her. “What’s your name?”
“Sachiko Kimura.”
“And why are you here on this Christmas morning, Sachiko Kimura?”
“We’re visiting my papa. Well, my brother and mother are visiting my papa. I have to wait out here.”
“Now that doesn’t seem quite fair, does it?” He put his hand into the large bag he carried. “Maybe this will make you feel better.”
“A doll? Thank you, Santa! It’s just what I’ve been wanting.”
“I have another surprise I think you’ll like even better.” He rose and extended his gloved hand to her. “Come with me.”
She hesitated. “Mama told me to stay in the waiting area.”
“It’s okay. Come on.”
What could be wrong with going with Santa Claus? She gave him her hand and followed him down the hall.
As they neared Papa’s room, a nurse approached. “Excuse me, the child must stay in the waiting area.”
Santa held up a hand to the nurse and said, “Merry Christmas, Nurse Sherman.”
She looked at him, rolled her eyes, and continued walking.
At the entrance to Papa’s room, Santa kneeled to speak to Sachi. “How do you like this surprise?”
“You’re right, Santa. It’s the best.”
“I’ll stand guard outside while you go in.”
She smiled at him, then went in and heard Mama talking to Papa.
Is he awake?
Disappointment filled her again when she saw her father. Eyes still swollen shut. Head still bandaged. Tubes still connected everywhere.
Mr. Ihara was still asleep, too. Did he ever wake up? Did anyone ever come to see him?
Mama leaned over Papa as she spoke. “Taro called to say merry Christmas this morning, Michio-san. He’s doing well and sends his love to you.” She straightened and looked to Nobu before continuing.
Nobu nodded.
“Michio-san, Taro has joined the Hawaiian Guard. I am not happy with his decision. But after what happened to you, he believes he must do this to prove he is a good American.”
Still, Papa did not wake.
Mama looked at Sachi, standing at the foot of the bed. “Sachi-chan, what are you doing here?”
She smiled. “You will not believe it, but Santa Claus brought me.”
“What?”
“Yes, and he’s standing guard outside the room.”
Nobu went to see what she was talking about. Mama followed.
Sachi watched for their expression when they met Santa.
Mama smiled, yet her eyes filled with tears. She bowed to the man in the red suit and held her hand out to his. “Thank you, Doc—” She glanced at Sachi and then again at Santa. “Thank you, Mr. Claus. You couldn’t have given my daughter a nicer gift.”
“It was my pleasure, Mrs. Kimura.” He smiled at Sachi. “I suppose we should go back to the waiting area, before Nurse Sherman catches us again.”
“But I want to give Papa a hug first,” she said, and ran to his bedside. “Merry Christmas, Papa,” she whispered. “I wish you could come home with us today.”
She took Santa’s hand and walked with him back to the empty waiting area.