Angel of Okinawa; Chapter 7

 

Angel of Okinawa; Chapter 7

© 2024 by Amber Wright

I lay awake on my pallet that night. What great thing did I need to do by taking my very first step tomorrow?

True, I had always wanted to do some heroic deed like my history books talked about, but what did I really want to do?

Or—rather—what did I really need to do?

As if a bolt of lightning struck me, I found the words of a Proverb entering my mind. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD.

I sucked in my breath, startled.

Already our porch had been loaded up with wounded American soldiers and I had only peeked out of a window to see a man with a shattered leg and remembered saying, “Poor man.”

If I was to be a hero, I must act like one.

It might not be such a great thing to help one wounded invader, but it would be the first step to heroic greatness.

I smiled in the darkness, and stretched my arms high above my head on my pillow. I knew exactly what I would do the next morning.

^{· · ·}

Before anybody else was up—to stop me, for number one; to spoil the surprise, for number two—I crept quietly from my pallet and dug into my wallet to find that $10 dollar bill I was planning on buying some more American books with.

Behind the dressing screen, I quickly and quietly changed into a clean grass green cotton dress with yellow polka dots.

I brushed my hair back into a ponytail. With the coolness of early morning, there shouldn’t be too much humidity to get my neck sticky.

I placed my folded $10 dollar bill into my pocket and buttoned its flap securely.

I tied on my white canvas shoes briskly and crept silently across the bedroom floor...the living room...and out of the front door.

I was creeping down the threshold step of the front porch when I heard someone clear his throat. My head shot in its direction and I found an officer sitting on a chair—on one of our chairs!

“Out so early?” the officer asked with a smile.

I nodded and walked on down off the porch.

Without another intrusion, I walked briskly out the gate and onto the road that led to a goat farm. I felt my pocket and smiled when I heard the little crinkle.

I marched up the farmer’s driveway where I met a little white haired, stooped shouldered man with a wrinkly smile and twinkling, slanted eyes.

“Hello, miss,” the farmer shook my hand with a little bow.

“Hello, sir.” I smiled back and took a brisk breath. “I have ten dollars to buy two milk goats—that is, if the price is alright with you.”

The farmer rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment with a slight frown, then looked back up at me brightly.

“You’ve come just at the right time,” the farmer said. “I have two milk goats that have just become sell able now. Their goats were weaned just yesterday.”

“And the price?” I asked hesitantly with a slight cringe, looking at him hopefully.

He stroked his chin again. “Just right.”

I sighed in relief and followed him to the goat pen made out of bamboo tied together.

The sale was soon made and I found myself saying goodbye to the little old farmer, and leading two milk goats by their ropes.

I smiled a little in triumph.

I had done what I had set out for.

I had two more milk goats for extra milk and butter. Now I had something to give to the poor wounded soldiers on my back porch.

I led the milk goats down the road to my home with thoughts how everyone would react.

True, I had two more goats to milk…but it would be worth it. If only the soldiers would be grateful, I would gladly do the extra work without complaint.

I slowed down when I saw a palm branch lower than usual above the road.

The next thing I knew I was practically going into a heart attack. Something large and tan had jumped down from the thick but bendable branch and up flung the branch again back to normal.

My teeth chattered as I stood there, frozen. As if my brain could not budge.

“Angel,” the word was spoken calmly and quietly in English.

“Derek!” I croaked out in a shaky voice.

“You alright?” Derek grinned down at me as if this was a joke. “Aren't you now?”

I sent him a withering look.

“I’m not your Jap’s revenge, don’t worry.” Derek pulled my ponytail, trying to get my attention. “What are you—a circus girl?”

“Circus girl?” I frowned up at him.

Derek pointed to my two milk goats.

“Milk goats.” I stated simply. “My very own. My very first…and second, bought with my very own money.”

“What for?” Derek stared from one goat to the other. They looked up at him with their goat eyes.

“What do you think?” I led my milk goats away down the road.

“What?” Derek asked stupidly.

“Really?” I let out a laugh. “What else would I get milk goats for? Their milk, silly boy.”

Derek pulled my ponytail again. “Say…um, how old are you, Angel?”

“Figuring on kidnapping me for a ransom, is that it?” I shot up at him with a cautious, blunt stare. “You do, and I’ll rise enough dust to make you wish you had drowned in the sea on the way here.”

“You’re too sweet.” Derek rolled his beautiful chocolaty brown eyes with the thick lashes.

“What then?” I wanted to know why.

“I’m just curious, that’s all.” Derek added with a silly grin and eyebrows raised high, “I’m crazy about you!”

“Now you’re talking stupidity!” I rolled my eyes, but inside I could feel my heart thumping up a storm. “You don’t even know me. You just landed yesterday and now—you gotta be having a mortal fit of insanity!”

“I'd rather be insane with you than a sane man without you!” Derek took the rope of one of my milk goats.

I stared at the back of his head as he walked ahead of me, looking as if he was the happiest man on the planet. How strange.