Nobu
December 26, 1941
They’ve taken Papa away.
How is it that the government can come without warning to take an injured man, a man who has committed no crime, to a “Justice Department” camp? Where is the justice in that?
There are no words to describe my anger, my emptiness. Last night he was here. Now he is gone. Last night, as Mama, Sachi, and I opened Christmas gifts, there should have been five of us, but there were only three.
As we celebrated,Papa was being taken away by strangers. Was he even aware of what was happening? Did he wonder why we were not there to protect him?
So why did we celebrate? We told ourselves it was what Papa would want. First, we watched Sachi open the package that held her doll. For a little while, her smile made me forget all that had happened.
Sachi gave Mama some stationery that she’d painted kimonos on. She said it was so Mama would have something pretty for her letters to Taro-nisan. She gave me this journal where I am writing now. I felt bad that I had no gift for her.
How could we know that Papa would be taken the next morning?
Last night when I took pictures with his camera, Mama said I looked like him. When she said that, something inside me yelled “No!” Something in her words almost swallowed me, as if they would chase away Papa’s spirit. Now, when I look in the mirror, all I see is Papa.
I thought Joe and Terrence were my friends. I still don’t understand how they could beat up my father. Are we Japanese hated so much?
And if they could forget we are friends, why can’t I, too, forget? Why did I hesitate to tell the police what happened at the park, like I was “ratting” on my friends? And why would I give a second thought to letting them sit in a jail cell over Christmas?
Papa was like a shelter against the cold wind of hate that swirls around us. Now he’s gone and I shiver inside. Who will be our shelter now? Taro is gone. Will it be up to me? How can I be strong for Mama and Sachi?