Tracie Peterson by Tidings of Peace Read Free Book Online Page B

the Akimotos. You think it senseless that a community would work to keep a family from losing their home and business, especially when that family is descended from the enemy. But, David, you must understand that there are many Japanese in this country, and most have clearly aligned themselves with America. Do you know why they did that, David?” He shook his head. “They did that because they are Americans.”
    He started to comment, but she held up her hand to still him. “Please hear me out.” He nodded and she continued. “You and Kenny were good friends. The best of friends, as I understand it. Kenny took an instant liking to you from the first time you were put under his command. I remember the letters telling us of the potential he saw in you.”
    David tried to conceal his surprise, but apparently his expression betrayed him.
    “That’s right,” Ruth stated, “Kenny saw great potential in you. But not only that, he genuinely liked you.”
    “He was like a brother to me,” David admitted.
    “And you would have done anything for him, wouldn’t you?”
    “I wish I could have died in his place.”
    Ruth smiled and nodded. “I believe you. Now I wish you would believe me when I say one country does not speak for the entirety ofits citizens. Neither do the actions of one member of a particular race speak or act for the entirety of the country.”
    “Japan seems pretty united over this. Haven’t you seen any of the news reels? Those people want us dead.”
    “You’re only seeing what they want you to see,” Ruth chided. She got up and went to the china cupboard in the dining room. When she returned, she held out a framed picture of an elderly couple.
    David took the picture and looked at it for a moment. “Who are they?”
    “My parents. They emigrated to this country in 1897. I was born the following year.”
    He handed the photograph back but had no idea why she had shown it to him. Seeming to understand, Ruth sat down beside him and gazed for a moment at the picture. “My family loved this country more than anything. My father was so happy to be here in America—to see his children born and raised as Americans.”
    “I don’t understand,” David finally said.
    Ruth smiled and nodded. “They were German, David. I’m full-blooded German and the first of our family to be born in America. As far as ancestries go, Kenny was half German.”
    David shook his head. “What does this have to do with my hating the Japanese?”
    “Do you hate us as well? Do you hate Kenny and me? Rachel and Helen?”
    “Why should I?” David asked, his tone clearly betraying his irritation.
    “Our people in Germany are killing your people, the Jews,” she said softly. “Our German relatives are at war with the Americans.”
    “It isn’t the same.”
    “Isn’t it?”
    David shook his head. “No. I don’t see it that way.”
    “Why, because we can hide our identity and the Nisei can’t?”
    “It just isn’t the same. Your family has been nothing but kind to me.”
    “And the Akimotos have been nothing but kind to me. They were the first to come see me when we heard about Pearl Harbor. They waited day after day, along with us, for some news of Kenny. They mourned with us when that news came and they remained supportiveof our family right up until the day they were taken away to the internment camp.” She paused and placed the photograph on the side table before turning to take hold of David’s right hand. “David, you can’t bear this anger and bitterness much longer. It’s eating you up inside. People are people. There are bad and good ones in every group. Even so, hatred only destroys the hater.”
    He frowned and looked at his hands. The left one useless, the right one balled into a fist. “I’ve had a lifetime of training,” he said in a barely audible voice. “It isn’t that easy to let go of what you know best.”
    “I know.”
    He shook his head and met her eyes. “No, you don’t. You