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.” There was a long moan as he stretched. “Let’s get to bed,” he said. “We need all the rest we can get.”
Michiko scurried back to her bed and huddled to the side by the wall, fearful of giving herself away and frightened by the strange conversation.
Three
Only Ten Days
Sadie studied her niece’s picture. “You are turning out to be quite the artist,” she said before shoving the crayons to one side to make room for the teapot.
Michiko grimaced.
“Say thank you,” her mother admonished.
“Thank you,” Michiko mumbled. She wanted to finish the picture she was making for her father. It was her favourite part of the story of Peach Boy.
Geechan, her grandfather, handed her mother the morning mail. He lived with them now, like Sadie. Hiro’s crib was in Michiko’s room, and Sadie and her mother shared a bed. Having Geechan around helped Michiko forget that her father was in the mountains. He always wore a smile on his wrinkled chestnut face.
Eiko opened a letter. After scanning it for a minute, she said, “Ted’s written to tell us about his big plans.”
“Our brother always has big plans,” complained Sadie.
“He says that since he’s lost his boat, he’s leaving Port Rupert.”
“How did Uncle Ted lose his boat?” Michiko asked in surprise. “Did he forget to anchor it? Did it float away?”
Her mother did not answer. She continued to read the letter silently. “He’s found work,” she said instead.
“Where?” asked Geechan.
“I don’t know exactly,” her mother replied. “He says it’s somewhere in the interior.”
“He can’t build boats in the interior,” Sadie scoffed. “What is he up to?”
Eiko read aloud. “The owner of the shipyard, Mr. Masumoto,