attention. Store windows were plastered with them, too. People slowed to read the words, forming small crowds everywhere.
Mama took Sachi’s hand and pulled her over to where several Japanese had gathered. Some scratched notes on small pieces of paper they held with hands that trembled as they wrote.
Sachi stood on her toes to try to read the words, but the grown-ups were too tall. She jumped up and caught a glimpse of the bold letters at the top of the notice: INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL PERSONS OF JAPANESE ANCESTRY:
Mama searched her purse and pulled out a pen and a piece of paper. Sachi was able to read some of what her mother wrote:
All Japanese persons, both alien and non-alien, will be evacuated from the above designated area by 12:00 o’clock noon Tuesday, April 7, 1942 . . .
Responsible member of each family . . . must report to Civil Control
Station . . . between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 1942 . . . the size and number of packages is limited to that which can be carried by the individual or family group . . . Go to the Civil Control Station . . . to receive further instructions.
Whispers hissed through the crowd. Some people shook their heads and walked away. Mama returned the pen and paper to her purse and took Sachi’s hand.
“What did the sign say?” Sachi asked. Maybe Mama’s answer would take away the bad feeling that made her stomach hurt. She put her other hand in her pocket and felt the crumbled cookie from Kate’s house.
Mama walked faster, and Sachi couldn’t help but notice she held her head higher than usual.
Those who were lucky enough not to be of Japanese ancestry stared
when they passed.
“Mama, why are they staring at us?”
“Do not concern yourself. We will do our grocery shopping on another day.”
-End of Excerpt
My favorite historical fiction novels are those that teach me not only
about history, but about the impact of history. By letting us feel the
impact, historical fiction helps us see that it’s not only history that repeats itself. The impact on all of us repeats, too.
The Red Kimono (University of Arkansas Press, 2013) was
selected Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice and a 2013
Arkansas Gem by the Arkansas State Library. Jan’s other books
include Life: Haiku by Haiku and Creative Characterization.
While working on the sequel to The Red Kimono, Jan speaks and teaches at writers’ conferences around the country. She has presented or given workshops at the Historical Novel Society Conference, Oklahoma Writers Federation, the Japan-America Society of Chicago, Ozarks Writers League and others. Her workshops are known for helping authors “discover” their characters’ secrets. Learn more at www.janmorrill.com.