LITMIR.BIZ

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of cash. I sold everything.”

      “Everything?” Eiko asked.

      “Everything,” Sadie said. “Even my red feathered hat. In fact, I sold that for exactly what I paid.” She patted her hair, as if the hat were still on her head. “Just think, I wore it all that time for free!”

      Suddenly, Michiko pictured her Aunt Sadie sitting on a stage, wearing her red feathered hat, surrounded by flowers and blue ribbons. “You’ll never win a prize at the Exhibition now,” Michiko murmured, shaking her head.

      Both women stared at her, but this time they did not laugh. They did not even smile.

      “Maybe I should let some things go,” Eiko suggested.

      “Good idea,” Sadie agreed. “These days, you never know what’s going to happen next.” She took her sister’s hand. “I’ll help you make a list.”

      Michiko retrieved her book from the floor and placed it back on the shelf. The noise of a key in the door in the front hall made them all freeze and look at each other in silence. Michiko pushed her way between them and ran down the hallway.

      Three men crowded into their front hall. Only two of them faced her, but Michiko knew the coat, the hat, and the back of the neck of the third. She especially knew that straight black hair.

      “Daddy,” she screamed.

      He turned quickly and gathered her into his arms. The shoulder of his coat was damp. It smelled like the coarse wool of the lamb at the fair. Did her father sleep with the animals? Was it true what her aunt had said about Hastings Park?

      “Hello, my little princess,” he murmured into her neck.

      Her mother, carrying Hiro, came to his side.

      Sam put Michiko down. He cocked his head to one side and looked at his little son. He smiled and cocked his head the other way. Hiro’s face broke into a big grin, and he put out his arms. His father took him into his and hugged him. He gave Eiko a kiss on the lips.

      Michiko looked at her aunt in surprise. She had never seen her father do that before. He only ever kissed her mother on the cheek.

      The men patted her father on the back and left, closing the door behind them, but, just as the family settled themselves in the living room, there was a second knock on the door. Sadie yanked it open. A man with clear blue eyes above a brown walrus mustache stood on the stoop. His black hat glistened with small drops of rain.

      “Sam left this in the car,” he said, holding out a small square cardboard box. Sadie put out her hands to take it. She grimaced. The bottom of the box was damp. The man tipped his hat and closed the door.

      Seeing the box, Sam laughed. “It’s Michiko’s birthday present.” He put his hand out and tugged one of her braids. “You didn’t think I would forget your birthday?”

      The rough brown string that held it together had several knots in it. He broke the string and lifted out a small round bowl of shiny turquoise gravel. A fat golden fish with two bulging eyeballs fluttered its long translucent fins.

      “I’m going to name him Happy,” Michiko said. She threw her arms about her father’s neck. “I’m so happy you are home.”

      Hiro reached out his fat little hands, opening and closing his pudgy fingers. “He wants to pick it up,” Michiko told her father. “He probably wants to put it in his mouth.” She placed it on top of their four-legged radio stand, away from the grasp of her small brother.

      Back in bed, Michiko snuggled against her father’s strong shoulders. “Promise me you won’t go away any more,” Michiko pleaded.

      “I can’t promise you that,” he responded. “You know I must work.” Her father’s eyes took on the same faraway look that her mother’s had worn the other day. “In fact, I will be going away again, soon.”

      Michiko pouted.

      “You must promise me one thing,” he said, drawing her close to his side. “Promise me, that no matter what happens, you will help look after your family.”

      Michiko thought for a moment. “Aunt Sadie can look after herself,” she retorted. “She tells me that all the time.”

      “I know,” her father told her. “But I am counting on you to look after the others.”

      Michiko bit her upper lip. Then she rolled over and faced the wall. Her father tucked the covers in around her. She didn’t want her father to leave again, ever.

      It seemed as if she had slept the whole night, but it was still dark when Michiko opened her eyes. She pulled back the covers and stepped into her slippers.

      The nightlight in the hallway was out. It was another blackout. She hated the blackouts, even though the boys at school said they liked them. She stepped into the hall.

      Muffled voices came from the living room.

      “I am very lucky,” she heard her father say. “I could have been sent straight to the Pool.”

      Michiko rubbed her eyes. Why would her father think he was going swimming? She crept further down the hallway. She knew it was yancha to eavesdrop, but she wanted to know what was going on.

      “Why did they stop you?” she heard her mother ask. “You had your registration card, and you were on company business.”

      “I had a map,” he replied.

      “A map?” Sadie cried out. Both Sam and Eiko shushed her. “What kind of map?” she whispered.

      “Paul Morrison, one of the guys at work, drew it.” Michiko heard her father’s giant sigh. “He was showing me where his aunt Edna lived. It’s near one of my favourite fishing spots.”

      “Near the Kootenay River?” Eiko asked.

      “He drew it so I could visit next time I went fishing.” He sighed again. “It was just a simple scrap of paper. I can’t believe how much trouble it caused.”

      “How did anyone know you had it?” asked Eiko.

      “It fell out of my pocket when I stopped to buy the goldfish.” He sighed again. “The owner of the pet store must have reported me.”

      “Stupid goldfish,” Sadie berated. “It should be named Trouble instead of Happy.”

      Michiko raised the tips of her fingers to her mouth. Sadie was not being nice.

      “Thank goodness Mr. Riley vouched for me,” her father said. “He said that if they took me away now, he would make trouble. He has a business to run.”

      Michiko silently clapped her hands for Mr. Riley. He was the likeable man who was her father’s boss. Last year he’d given her a china tea set for Christmas.

      The talking stopped. Michiko turned to go back to bed, but the voices continued. She paused again to listen.

      “I have to go, you both know that. The government’s ordered all Japanese-born men out.”

      No one spoke.

      Michiko tried to imagine what these men of the government looked like. Why were they ordering her father out? Out of where?

      “Sadie,” Sam asked, “what will you do?”

      “I’m staying right here from now on,” Sadie replied in a whisper. “It’s not safe where I live. Besides, Eiko will need my help. Sisters stick together.”

      “Thanks,” Michiko heard her father say. Then he asked, “And what about Geechan?”

      “My father will be difficult,” her mother said. “He thinks he is strong enough to work alongside the others.” Eiko sighed. “He’s waiting to be called, but they won’t take him. He’s too old.”

      “You all must stay together,” Sam said. “I will talk to him.”

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