The Red Kimono

by Jan Morrill

  To hell with them all. They stole Yuki, but they’ll never steal my dignity. I will answer NO-NO! Let’s see what they will do!

  Chapter 53

  Sachi

  February 14, 1943

  Sachi looked in the mirror as she brushed her long hair and pulled it up into a red ribbon. Valentine’s Day! Next to Christmas, it was her favorite holiday, even if it wasn’t quite the same in camp as it had been in California—not as much candy, no stores to shop for valentines.

  Her teacher at the camp, Mrs. Yamamura, had tried to continue some of the same traditions as back home. Last week, she gave her students an hour at the end of the school day to cut out pieces of red construction paper and white lace to make cards for special people.

  Sachi made them for Mama, Nobu, and Jubie. And though she hadn’t told anybody, not even Jubie, she made a card for Papa, too. Nobody would understand. They’d all think she was silly, especially Mama. But sometimes she felt like Papa watched her—like he knew what she was doing. And if that were true, what would he think if she didn’t make him a card?

  The best part of getting ready for Valentine’s Day had been the time spent with Jubie, decorating shoeboxes to hold all of the cards they couldn’t wait to receive. She looked forward to receiving dozens and dozens like the year before, when she’d held her breath as she opened each envelope. She still remembered holding the last unopened card in her hand, hoping it was from her secret crush. She’d set it aside, unopened. It was two whole days before she could bear to open it, and she’d torn it in half when it wasn’t from him.

  But there was nobody in camp to have a crush on. She wasn’t sure if that was good or bad, but it didn’t matter. She’d been having fun on the sidelines, watching Nobu’s crush on Yuki.

  She stared at her reflection as she buttoned her blouse, thinking about the awful mood Nobu had been in the last few days. Something must have happened with Yuki. He didn’t walk around with a goofy smile on his face anymore. No whistling happily like he had every other day since Thanksgiving. It had to have something to do with Private Collins, because almost every time she passed by the gate, he was talking to Yuki. The way being in love affected Nobu, and the way she felt last Valentine’s Day when she didn’t get a card from her secret crush, she decided right then and there: She’d never let herself fall in love.

  So what should she do about Private Collins? Of all the soldiers, he was the nicest. She’d liked him since the day he told her Jubie had been looking for her at the gate. If he hadn’t said anything, who knows? She and Jubie might have never met.

  A thought tickled her. If Private Collins wasn’t so old, maybe he’d be her secret crush. But that was silly. How could she have a crush on him if he was stealing Nobu’s girl?

  Secret crush? She scolded herself. He probably thought of her as just a little girl. She leaned in closer to the mirror and pinched her cheeks until they turned pink. She could look older, if only Mama would let her wear a little makeup. Like some blush. Or maybe lipstick. She rolled her eyes. No way.

  At least she wasn’t as naïve as Private Collins probably thought. Bet he didn’t know she’d figured out what was going on between Yuki and him. And since he didn’t know what she’d been able to figure out, he wouldn’t understand why she was suddenly so cool.

  She shook the troubling thoughts out of her head. She would worry about what to do with Private Collins when the time came. For now, she was too excited about the dance she and Jubie had planned later in the afternoon.

  She thought it plenty unfair that she couldn’t go to the Valentine’s Day dance—too young, according to the posters. Silly rule. She could understand someone telling her she was too young to go on a date, but what would be the harm in going to the dance? She didn’t plan to dance with a boy. All she wanted to do was watch the lovey-dovey couples.

  Three days before, she had complained to Jubie about how angry she was that she didn’t get to go to the dance. Wide-eyed, her friend had leapt off the couch, and talking so fast Sachi could hardly understand her, squealed, “We can have our own dance!”

  Sachi leaped up, too, and they bounced around, too excited to contain themselves. Then she stopped and asked, “But where will we have it?”

  “Why, right here in my living room. I just know Ma’ll say it’s okay.”

  With that detail taken care of, ideas flooded Sachi’s head. “You can do the Japanese dance I taught you. And I’ll bring a kimono for you to wear—”

  “Hey, yeah! And you can show off the jitterbug I taught you. Ma has a full skirt you can swirl around in.”

  Sachi spun around, imagining the skirt flaring out.

  “Hey,” Jubie added. “Wanna invite your mama?”

  The question had taken her by surprise. No way would Mama come over to Jubie’s house. Of course, she couldn’t say that—couldn’t let Jubie know Mama still refused to mix with colored people and still didn’t know Sachi was still friends with Jubie.

  The fear of being discovered was like a big cloud that followed Sachi everywhere, and she could never completely enjoy Jubie’s sunshine without being afraid that one day the big, dark cloud would break and rain all over.

  “You just gonna stare at me with your eyes all a-bugging out?” Jubie waited, hands perched on her skinny hips. “You don’t like my idea about inviting your mama?”

  Think! Think of something to say.

  “I … I don’t think Mama will have time to come watch us dance. I … uh … I heard her tell Nobu she’d help him get ready for the dance in camp.” She rolled her eyes. “You know those boys. They can’t do anything for themselves.”

  Jubie tapped her foot and stared with doubtful eyes. “Hmm. Seem like Nobu would wanna get hisself ready. Anyways, my ma’s gonna wanna see us dance. Think I’ll invite Auntie Bess, too.”

  Sachi knew Jubie hadn’t fallen for her excuse. But, at least she’d dropped the idea and hadn’t brought it up again.

  Sachi primped the red bow she’d tied in her hair one more time. Excited that it was almost time to leave for Jubie’s house, she watched her reflection as she flipped her ponytail back and forth like the older girls did when they danced the jitterbug.

  The apartment was finally empty, and Sachi’s heart fluttered, like it always did when she was about to do something she knew she shouldn’t do. Nobu had gone to fill out some paperwork at the mess hall, and Mama had finally left for the showers. She peeked out the window to make sure her mother had turned the corner, then kneeled next to the box that held Mama’s kimono. Jubie had already tried wearing Sachi’s kimono. It had been too short and came up so high on Jubie’s skinny legs they both laughed until their sides ached. But this was a special day, and Sachi wanted her friend to look pretty when she danced for Mrs. Franklin and Auntie Bess.

  She hesitated before removing the lid, and took a deep breath to chase away the tickle inside. She knew she shouldn’t take Mama’s kimono without asking. It was sneaky, yes, but there was no choice. Besides, what was the harm? She’d take care of it. Mama would never know.

  The silk kimono was bright red and embroidered with a thousand white cranes. She unfolded it to check the length. Perfect. After carefully folding the kimono again, she tucked it into her satchel, and closed the box. Then, she grabbed her coat and rushed out the door.

  Cold rain tingled on her cheeks. When she turned the corner toward the gate, the raindrops grew larger and slapped harder with the blowing wind. She raised her satchel over her head and ran toward the gate, but stopped suddenly when she saw Yuki talking to Private Collins again.

  Only, this time she was crying. Sachi backed up behind the administration building and peered around the corner to watch.

  Private Collins gave Yuki a handkerchief, and she wiped her eyes.

  Why was she crying? Had Private Collins said something mean to her? If so, maybe Yuki would like Nobu better. But Sachi couldn’t imagine the private ever being mean. Besides, Yuki didn’t look angry with him.

&nb
sp; Sachi watched, trying to figure them out.

  Private Collins gave a quick glance around, then touched Yuki’s cheek. He smiled and said something to her. She smiled back.

  No, Yuki definitely was not angry with Private Collins.

  He took her hand and kissed it. Yuki smiled and walked away.

  A gasp escaped Sachi. The kiss, given so tenderly to Yuki, hurt Sachi like a kick in the stomach.

  She stormed toward the gate, so mad she wanted to punch the private.

  How could he?

  Watching the private stare at Yuki as she walked away, Sachi grew angrier and angrier.

  She interrupted the private’s stare when she stomped closer, splashing water all around. His look of surprise made her wonder how she could feel angry and sad at the same time. She wanted to scream, yet tears burned her eyes.

  “Hello, Sachi,” he said, smiling.

  She ignored him and signed out.

  “I’m glad you’re here. I have something for you.” He handed a small white envelope to her. “It’s a valentine.”

  She wasn’t sure whether to gaze at him or glare at him. A valentine? Now what was she supposed to do? She wanted to open it, but she couldn’t betray Nobu. No, Yuki had already done enough betraying for the two of them.

  Her anger was so huge it drowned out the thrill of her first valentine of the day, and she gave Private Collins her most livid glare. It was all she could do not to snarl at him.

  “What is it, Sachi? Aren’t you going to open it?”

  Shaking her head back and forth, she held the white envelope in front of him and tore it in half. “You stole my brother’s girlfriend.” She did snarl then, and shoved the torn valentine into her satchel.

  She ran away, hoping the rain had hidden her tears.

  When she arrived at Jubie’s house, she wiped the rain and tears from her cheeks and knocked on the door.

  Auntie Bess answered. “Well, hello there, sugar. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  “Hi, Auntie Bess.” Sachi felt better just seeing her full-cheeked smile and hearing the happy laugh that greeted her. “I hope you and Mrs. Franklin are ready for some good dancing.”

  “Oh, yes. We so excited. Baked y’all some cookies, too.”

  Sachi inhaled the scent of cinnamon and vanilla. “Smells good!”

  Mrs. Franklin smiled from the kitchen doorway and held a plate of cookies. “Take this back to Jubie’s room with you,” she said. “She waiting for you there.”

  Sachi picked up a cookie and took a bite. Turning to walk down the tiny hall, she called back. “Thank you, Mrs. Franklin.” At Jubie’s bedroom doorway, she announced, “I’m here! Your mama made us some cookies.”

  “I know,” Jubie said, and rushed to her closet. “Looky here! Mama found this skirt for you to wear when you do your jitterbug.” She held up a red skirt with a poofy white lace slip.

  “Ooh! With that on, even my jitterbug will look good.”

  Jubie held it to Sachi’s waist. “Might have to pin it to make it fit.”

  Sachi took her backpack off and put it on Jubie’s bed. “I have something for you, too.” Slowly, and with great drama, she pulled the red kimono out.

  Jubie’s eyes widened. “Lordy, lordy. Ain’t that pretty!” She touched the red silk, then traced a white crane with her slender, dark fingers.

  “It’s my mama’s,” Sachi whispered. “So you’ll need to be very careful with it.”

  “’Course I will. Can I put it on now?”

  “Yes! I’ll help you. I didn’t bring the obi—that’s the belt. There are too many pieces to a kimono. It would take us forever to put it all on properly. Today, we’ll just tie it together with your belt.”

  Jubie slid the kimono on over her clothes, gently running her hands over the silk. “I ain’t never touched nothing so soft before. So cool and smooth. I ain’t never gonna wanna take it off.” She pulled the belt from the loops of her blue jeans.

  “I almost forgot,” Sachi exclaimed, rummaging again through her satchel. “I made this for you.” She pulled out a white envelope that said “Jubie” on the front. When she noticed half of the envelope from Private Collins was stuck to Jubie’s card, her eyes widened, and she grabbed it and shoved it back in the satchel.

  Jubie’s gaze first followed Sachi’s swift hand to the backpack, then to the card Sachi held for her. “For me?” She gently opened the envelope and smiled. “You made this? It’s so pretty. I ain’t never had no handmade valentine card before.”

  “You can put it in the valentines box you made.”

  Jubie frowned. “I don’t have a card for you,” she whispered, then quickly burst into a sly smile and opened her nightstand drawer. “But I do have this.” She handed Sachi something wrapped in a cloth napkin.

  Sachi carefully opened the red-stained napkin and found inside a heart-shaped cookie, decorated with red frosting. “Jubie! It’s beautiful, and delicious, too, I’ll bet.”

  “Yeah, it’s good all right. I know ’cause I ate all the ones with mistakes. ’Bout five of ’em.” She stuck out her tongue and held up her hands. “See? I got red all over me.”

  Sachi took a bite. “Mmm. Best valentine cookie I’ve ever had.”

  Jubie watched Sachi quietly. That was kind of unusual for Jubie—to be quiet.

  “What?” Sachi asked.

  “Mind if I ask you what was that piece of envelope you tried so hard to hide?”

  It was a long story, and she didn’t feel like explaining the whole thing. “It was nothing. Just a piece of garbage that was at the bottom of my pack.”

  Jubie rolled her eyes. “You a bad liar. But anyways, for some reason you don’t wanna talk about it now.” She picked up the red skirt. “Okay. Put this on. You just let me know when you ready to talk, hear?”

  “I know.” Sachi fluffed up the skirt and swirled around. “How do I look?”

  Bunching up the waistline, Jubie replied, “Almost perfect.” She called into the living room. “Ma, we need some help taking in the skirt now.”

  Mrs. Franklin and Auntie Bess appeared at the bedroom door.

  “Ooh, don’t you girls look pretty,” Mrs. Franklin said.

  Auntie Bess clapped her hands. “Sachi, what a fine-looking robe you brought for Jubie to wear.”

  Jubie extended her arms and slowly turned around. “It’s a kimono, Auntie Bess. And it’s Sachi’s mama’s.”

  Sachi felt her cheeks burn, and she wished Jubie hadn’t told them that part.

  “Mama, can you fix your skirt so it don’t fall down when Sachi dances?”

  “Sure can. I got me some safety pins in the living room. Come on.”

  Sachi followed Jubie who followed her mama. Auntie Bess brought up the end of the line, dancing and humming “In the Mood.”

  Mrs. Franklin held pins in her mouth as she cinched the waist tight. Using the last pin, she said, “That should keep it where it belongs.” Then, she took a seat on the sofa next to Auntie Bess.

  The girls giggled at each other.

  Sachi whispered to Jubie. “You go first.”

  “You sure?”

  “Your mama and Auntie Bess are too excited to wait.”

  “Well, okay then. You gonna sing for me, right?”

  Sachi knew Jubie didn’t have any music to play. But she didn’t know she’d have to sing for Jubie’s dance. And in front of Mrs. Franklin and Auntie Bess? She hated her voice. “Well, I don’t know.”

  “Oh, come on.” Jubie pleaded. “I can’t dance without music.”

  Nervous as she was, she didn’t want to be the cause of cancelling the dance. She huffed. “I guess.”

  Jubie took her starting pose and folded her hands in front of her. She looked down and closed her eyes. Jubie’s skin was about as far away from white porcelain as the number one was from a thousand. Still, she reminded Sachi of the geisha dolls she left in California.

  Sachi began to hum “Sakura”—the cherry blossom song. Her voice quivered with nerves
. At least Mrs. Franklin and Auntie Bess didn’t know what the song was supposed to sound like, and wouldn’t know if she mispronounced some of the words. She took a deep breath. “Sakura, sakura …”

  Jubie raised her arms, exposing the kimono’s long, flowing sleeves. She tilted her head up, as if gazing at cherry blossoms on a tree. Mama’s kimono must have cast a magic spell on Jubie’s skinny, awkward frame, because she was prettier than Sachi had ever seen her.

  Jubie swayed her arms back and forth, dipped and rose, then turned around.

  Trying hard to make her tune match the beauty of Jubie’s dance, Sachi continued to sing. “Yayoi no sorawa.”

  Mrs. Franklin and Auntie Bess watched from the sofa. Their eyes glistened with tears.

  Jubie turned slowly, holding one arm up, and sweeping the other behind her. She looked at Sachi with a twinkle in her eyes. When the song ended, she returned to her starting position and again, closed her eyes.

  For a moment, the room was silent. Then, Auntie Bess cheered and clapped her hands.

  Mrs. Franklin wiped a tear from her cheek. “Oh, baby. That was so pretty. So pretty.”

  Sachi clapped too. “You looked just like a geisha.” She covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. “Well, almost.”

  Jubie ran her hands over the long, silk sleeves. “It musta been your mama’s kimono. Dancing just felt right today, like magic. Your turn!”

  Sachi wished she had gone first. There was no way her jitterbug would be as good as Jubie’s dance.

  “You ready?” Jubie asked. “I got my song all ready for you.”

  Sachi felt a little queasy. “I guess,” she said, wondering why she had gone along with the silly idea.

  But when Jubie began singing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” something hit her like a bolt of lightning. Her feet took on minds of their own, and they scooted effortlessly over the floor. She swished her full skirt and wiggled her hips.

  Mrs. Franklin and Auntie Bess clapped to the beat of the music as Jubie’s voice filled the room.