31. May 1942

After her daughter had died, Sachiko left The Pool. Two suited men, a doctor, two nurses, and a guard came to escort her. Chisato watched closely. Sachiko looked terrible as she gathered her belongings. Her back was curved as she struggled until one of the nurses helped to pack everything. Sachiko’s eyes were hollow, her face thin and weary, all strength seemed to have abandoned her. More worn down than when she was being abused by her husband. There was no telling where her friend was going, but Chisato hoped it was to see Mary for the last time.

It wasn’t long after that Chisato received word that she and Hideko were to be transported to someplace called Sandon. She had no idea where it was; she had a hard time pronouncing the word. But a weight lifted off her.

A warmth spread over her abdomen. Someone had told her Sandon was a camp for the Buddhists in the community. The government had resolved to segregate the Japanese community by religion. She had no idea who had told the authorities Buddhism was her religion, but her burden felt lighter.

But then Rev. James and Michiko came to visit her. The minister stood before her with a worried look. Michiko was ready to translate.

“Michiko-san, how is your husband? Did he return?”

Before she could answer Rev. James spoke up, “Chaisato, I’ve been told you’re going to Sandon,” he began. “That’s got to be a mistake. You should be going to Tashme or New Denver…Christian camps.”

She of course had no idea what he was saying. Places like Tashme and New Denver meant nothing. It soon became apparent that he didn’t want her in Sandon.

“N…n…no,” she said nervously and quietly in English.

“Now, you leave it to me…” the reverend reassured.

“No,” she repeated louder.

“I’ll have this all cleared up in no-time.”

“No!” she insisted.

Rev. James’ words caught in his throat. It made him stand up straight.

“No? What do you mean no?” he asked, his forehead furrowed with confusion and worry.

Michiko translated. “It means I am not going to those places. I want to go to Sandon.”

“But it means—”

“It means, I want to be with my own. Your Jesus did nothing to help my husband. Your Jesus did not prevent The Pool. Your Jesus did not protect us from being exiled. Your Jesus did not save Mary. Your Jesus…did nothing for me…you—”

She stopped in mid-rant. “I’m sorry, Sensei. I misspoke. I…I…”

“No,” Rev James said as he recovered. “You meant every word. I don’t understand, but I forgive...” He stopped mid-sentence. In a moment or two, he said, “We’ll leave you now. Despite how you feel, I will say, God bless and God speed."

“I forgive you,” he repeated.

As she watched the two leave, Chisato felt a scream catch in her throat. Nothing to forgive, she thought.

Michiko turned and glared at her. She sneered, “You never had the true faith.” Chisato felt for Michiko, but she had decided to discard her obligation to Rev James and the Christian church.

***

So, it was in early May, when the sun was bright and warm on the horizon, that Chisato, her luggage at her feet, while holding an exhausted and slumbering Hideko in her arms, waited to board the train that would take them to Sandon. The platform was crowded with other Japanese. She thought she recognized some from her secret visits to the temple. A young, new priest had taken charge. Rev. Tsuji was the first Nisei Buddhist priest and the last to leave Japan for Canada just after he was ordained, as it happened. He beamed with compassion as he saw to everyone’s needs.

In a moment of contemplation, Chisato thought of Sachiko and Kiyoshi. She hadn’t seen either since they left her life. Neither Rev. James nor Michiko had been seen since their visit. Chisato hoped she would be forgiven some day. She would probably never know.

What she did know was that the next chapter in her life was about to begin for her and Hideko. She just didn’t know what that meant. Sachi Tokunaga had told her that Sandon was a “land of perpetual night”.

“The devil’s breath runs through the valley where the ghost town is. Don’t breathe or the air will turn to ice in your lungs!”

Sachi was a silly girl dependent on rumour to get through life. Chisato harrumphed and thought, I’m used to oni and cold rooms.

How she missed her sister, Chiemi, and even her brother, Hideki, a pest but a loving pest. Her mother must be worried for the three of them. Regret visited her for insisting on leaving for adventure in this damnable country. Would she have been happier in Japan?

The shadow that had visited her in her stall drifted across her imagination. She hadn’t thought of it until now. She felt a comfort rise in her body as she suddenly knew all would be well despite the uncertainty and adversity. Otousan will watch over us. She held on to that feeling as she kissed her sleeping daughter.

The devil’s breath.