Arts & Culture

Chapter 6: Not Just Palm Trees and Beaches

It was nearing 11PM, and Sierra was growing tired. She had spent the entire day running errands with Grandma Betsey, and all she could think of was plopping into bed and passing out the minute she did so. 

However, there was one thing that Sierra wanted to do before falling asleep, and that was to read a good story. Unfortunately, after a quick search through her books, she realized that she had sadly finished all of the novels she had brought along to Grandma’s house.

Sierra paced back and forth, thinking about what she should do. Ultimately, she decided to stay up and read the only other physical book in her room: the whimsical diary.

Sierra felt a warm wave of heat ripple over her face, and she blinked twice. She scanned the area around her and discovered that she was lying under a palm tree. Quickly, Sierra scrambled up and began to explore. Ahead of her was a beach filled with all sorts of people and palm trees spread out throughout the sand. Sierra wandered around the beach for a while, then decided to sit under the shade of a nearby palm tree. She was heavily preoccupied with the intense, sweltering sun, then, suddenly, she felt a hand tap her shoulder. Sierra looked up and saw a smiling Asian girl.

The girl then said, “Hi, I’m Keiko! My friends and I are playing a game of beach volleyball over there,” she said, pointing to a nearby volleyball net. “We are short by one player. Would you like to join us?” Keiko asked eagerly.

Sierra’s ears perked up. Back home in Chicago, she played both school and club volleyball all year round, and she always loved any chance she received to touch a volleyball. 

“Sure!” Sierra replied with a smile.

For the next hour, Sierra, Keiko, and several other teenagers engaged in a fun, relaxed game of beach volleyball. Sierra ended up serving the game-winning point for her team. After the match was over, Sierra was unsure of what to do next when Keiko came up to her once again.

“I’m about to head home now. Where do you live?” Keiko inquired curiously.

Before Sierra could conjure up a vague response, Keiko continued. “Would you like to come to my house for dinner?”

Sierra’s stomach began to rumble, and she vigorously exclaimed, “Yes, I would like that very much!”

Keiko grinned, and the two began walking to her home.

After ten minutes of walking, Keiko opened the door to a quaint home. She quickly introduced Sierra to her parents and also to her little sisters. Sierra smiled awkwardly, and Keiko led Sierra to the dinner table. Keiko’s mother, Mrs. Sato, placed bowls of miso soup around the table. 

Soon, the rest of the family sat around the table. At first, Keiko and her family asked Sierra general questions, all of which Sierra responded to with short but confident answers. Soon, however, talk turned to the war that was brewing in Europe. Keiko’s father stated that although the US was not involved in the war, there was talk of involvement. He also added that there was talk of Japan entering the war. Keiko’s parents were both anxious about what could happen soon. 

As Sierra was listening to the lowered voices of Keiko’s family, a feeling of dread washed over her mind. In a small voice, Sierra slowly asked, “Does anybody know what the date is, by any chance?”

Keiko and her family whipped their heads in Sierra’s direction, startled by her voice. One of Keiko’s sisters piped up. “It’s December 6, 1941.”

Just then, the hum of the radio floated over from the living room. 

Storms expected tonight in Pearl Harbor and-”

The dread in Sierra rapidly augmented, and she began to feel dizzy. Mumbling something about needing fresh air, she stumbled out of the house and ran towards a nearby palm tree. The wind was starting to howl, and Sierra slumped down. She couldn’t quite decipher her feelings. Sierra knew that the next day, December 7th, everything would change. Not just for the United States as a whole but for Keiko and her family as well. Soon, they would most likely be sent to languish in an internment camp thousands of miles away from their home in Hawaii. Tears began to flow out.

Just then, Sierra felt a warm hand on her back and a presence next to her. When she looked up, she saw Keiko’s warm brown eyes full of concern.

“Is everything alright?” Keiko asked softly.

Sierra was unsure of how to explain everything, and furthermore, she knew she shouldn’t. She couldn’t, for all it would do was make everything worse. “I-I just miss my family,” Sierra whispered.

Keiko nodded in understanding. She was silent for a moment, then spoke again. “Maybe it’s time for you to return home then. Don’t worry about dinner; we can meet at the beach again tomorrow if you are free!” she said, a huge smile on her face.

Sierra felt an ache in her chest once again. “I-I won’t be able to see you tomorrow. You see, I’m not from around here.” was all that Sierra could muster.

Once again, Keiko nodded, although Sierra could tell that she was confused. 

Sierra finally spoke one more time, “I have to go now, but thank you so much for the wonderful time at the beach and at dinner. I truly enjoyed every last bit of today,” she said.

Keiko only smiled, perhaps sadly, and responded, “I only wish the very best for you, and I hope that we someday meet once again,” 

With that, Keiko stood and returned to her house. Sierra watched her close the door, then made her way back to the beach. There, she entered a small outhouse, and it was all darkness from there.

 When Sierra opened her eyes, she couldn’t move for a few moments. The heaviness of the situation she had just left was weighing her heart down tremendously. Finally, she sighed and walked down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, Sierra nearly tripped over a book that Grandma-Betsey was reading. Caught off guard, Sierra bent down and plucked the book off of the floor. In doing so, she caught sight of the cover and was stunned by the photo and name on the cover. An innocent yet wise face stared at her. Below the photograph, in shiny gold print, were the words: December 6th, 1941-By Keiko Sato. 

 

Photo Credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/beautiful-tropical-white-beach-and-coconut-palm-trees-gm698006442-129335311   

 

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