As they drove away from the base Zenji said, “It’s weird, sir. Already I feel different. Excited, and nervous … and … well, everything happened so fast. I’m kind of stunned. Am I really in the army?”
“Buck private, CIP. That’s the Corps of Intelligence Police.”
“Police?”
“More intelligence than police.”
Zenji could almost hear the wheels spinning inside his head. “Intelligence—isn’t that spying?”
“It’s a lot of things regarding information, Zenji.”
That made sense. But the word spy wouldn’t go away.
“Hey, there’s a little place ahead we could stop for a soda,” Colonel Blake said. “Would you like that?”
“I’ve got something I want to share with you.”
They sat at a picnic table with ice-cold Cokes. The colonel rotated the bottle in his hands, not drinking.
“Zenji,” the colonel started, “you know a few things about me: U.S. Army officer, ROTC, married, one son.”
Zenji nodded.
“My wife, Shirley, was born and raised here.”
He was silent a moment. Then he went on. “Our son, John, wanted to be a military man, too … but he eloped with a girl in college. Now he’s a fireman in Virginia.” Colonel Blake smiled. “He was nervous about telling us he’d gotten married. We all do some crazy things when we’re young.”
“Yes, sir,” Zenji said.
Crazy … like joining the army.
The colonel paused. “You know, you’ve always reminded me of John. He has the same quiet determination that you do. You’re a lot alike. Strong.”
Why is he telling me this? The colonel had always been pretty formal.
Zenji’s mind flooded with memories of his own father—his mechanic’s fingernail grime, his battered old lunch box, his work boots on the porch, the way he brought the smell of oil and sweat into the house with him.
“I know this is … unexpected.” Zenji startled as the colonel went on. “But today I couldn’t be more proud of you. Wherever you go, whatever you do, Shirley and I will be with you. I just want you to know that.”
Zenji looked up. “I don’t know what to say, sir … except that … well, I feel honored.”
Colonel Blake smiled.
They sat in silence as the colonel finished his Coke. “Let’s go see your mother. Something tells me this may not go easy.”
“No, sir. She’s going to fall on the floor.”
The buzz of the city faded as they drove into Zenji’s quiet neighborhood. As they parked, Aiko and her friends looked up from playing with Nami, who was now well enough to limp around out of the box.
Zenji took a deep breath as they walked up to the front door. “Ma? Colonel Blake is with me.” They went inside.
Ma came out from the kitchen, got down on her hands and knees, and bowed her head nearly to the floor.
“Please, tell her to stand up.”
“It’s Japanese, Colonel.”
Zenji pointed toward a chair.
The colonel sat.
“Ma,” Zenji said, helping her to her feet, “Colonel Blake wants to talk with you about something important.”
Ma wouldn’t look at Zenji.
“Tell him I will be right back with tea,” she said.
“It’s all right, Ma. He only has a minute.”
She hesitated, and sat on the couch with her hands folded in her lap.
“Mrs. Watanabe,” the colonel began. He paused, and Zenji saw deep sympathy in his eyes. Zenji’s heart began to race.
Colonel Blake spoke gently. “Your son has recently participated in a very difficult competition. His language skills were tested over and over. Among thirty applicants, all college graduates, Zenji was number one. No one else performed at his level. It was truly impressive.”
The colonel waited for Zenji to translate.
Ma listened, her face impossible to read.
Zenji nodded for the colonel to go on.
“The government is in critical need of the very skills Zenji has, and we have an extremely important job for him. This job does not involve weapons, Mrs. Watanabe. He will be safe.”
Zenji translated.
Ma studied her hands.
The colonel leaned forward. “Since Zenji is underage, we would like your consent for him to join the United States Army. We seriously need his help. I wouldn’t be here if we didn’t.”
Ma listened to Zenji translate, motionless. Zenji could hardly look at her, each word felt dark and heavy. There was no easy way to say them.
A scratching at the door caused him to look up. Nami was standing on his hind legs with his front paws on the screen, Aiko beside him, hands cupped around her eyes, peering in.
“If it’s all right with you, Mrs. Watanabe,” Colonel Blake went on, hesitantly extending the papers, “would you please just sign here.” He pulled out a pen.
Ma looked at the pen and papers, but didn’t reach for them.
Zenji knew that even though she was torn, she would agree. Colonel Blake was authority and he was haole. She would sign.
Colonel Blake turned to Zenji.
“She can’t write English, sir. Only Kanji.”
“She can sign in Kanji, then, and I can verify it with my signature.”
Zenji took the papers and knelt before his mother. Neither could look the other in the eye.
“Ma, he wants you to sign your name. And, Ma? I want to do this. It’s a good job and I can send you all my pay. It’s a chance for me to—”
Ma took the papers. “Where?”
Zenji peeked up at her. “Right here, Ma,” he said softly.
What strength it took for her to take the pen from his hand.
She signed her name.
Zenji handed the papers to the colonel, who signed. “Thank you, Mrs. Watanabe,” he said, so quietly that Zenji could barely hear him. “Thank you.”
Zenji held his breath.
The colonel stood, bowed, and went to the door. Zenji followed, leaving his mother dazed on the couch.
Aiko grabbed Nami and ran around to the backyard.
Out on the street the colonel looked at the house. “I know it took immense courage for your mother to do what she just did.”
“You do?”
“I would not have asked you—or her—to do this if it wasn’t absolutely vital.”
“What exactly will I be doing?”
Colonel Blake held up his hand. “I don’t know enough to tell you, Zenji. Truly.”
Zenji jumped when Aiko flew out from the backyard on her bike and raced down the street. What’s with her? he thought.
Colonel Blake came to attention and saluted. “Carry on, Buck Private.”
Zenji saluted back.
As the colonel drove away, Zenji turned to look at his house. How could he go back in and face Ma?
He sighed and walked up the old road to where the houses ended and the jungle began. It took him an hour to walk back, and still he couldn’t go inside.