Angel of Okinawa; Chapter 26

Angel of Okinawa; Chapter 26

© 2024 by Amber Wright

September 2^nd came and we listened to the news again on our borrowed radio. Today was the formal surrender of Japan.

Our Emperor said a few words.

I tried to listen but my brain was foggy due to the pills I was on—to stop any infection my head wounds might cause and pain medicine, although I didn't have any pain but a little itching as my wounds were healing up.

I was weak and fatigued but at least I had no pain. My head wounds were healing fast, the doctors said. Soon I would be up and at it.

The Japanese anthem came over the radio.

The war was finally over and it was time to start new beginnings. To heal.

There was a knock on the door and Meema flipped off the radio to go answer it.

I chewed on my thumb nail, anxiously. Ever since I came back from the hospital I have not been out of the house by myself. It’s simply too dangerous.

I heard American voices and relaxed.

The voices came closer and I looked up to see towering U. S. soldiers above me. Not that they were really that tall, but I was sitting down.

I sent up a small smile at Gideon and Alex who were both staring down at me and my “turban”. I still had my head wrapped up until my head healed completely.

“Nice to see you guys again.”

Gideon bent over to give me a hug.

“Hey Gideon, I just passed up a corpse opportunity again.” My smile turned to a grim frown. “Guess I shouldn’t brag though.”

Alex shook my hand and sat down.

“Say, Cousin.” Gideon settled onto a cushion. “Awfully glad you made it out alive again.”

“Thanks.” I fiddled with the rim of my glass of punch and looked back up at him. “Makes you really appreciate life, pulling my feet from the casket, so to speak.”

“Uh huh.” Gideon took the glass of orange punch Meema was serving everyone. “You just weren’t meant to die. I just want to say…the way you treated us all was really nice. I believe God saw that and remembered you.”

I smiled gratefully and lowered my eyes to the flat table before us. I never thought Gideon would have noticed my little duties to the soldiers.

I never thought anyone would have given me any credit. I thought everyone figured it was just something I was supposed to do.

But it felt good to know I'd made a difference.

“You all are just an inspiring female family,” Gideon looked around the table at the girls and at Meema standing up.

“Hwang is a man,” Lei spoke up, and we all laughed.

“Right!” Alex grinned from his cushion, cross-legged. “So it’s the female family with the man in it. Poor guy! He must be hen-pecked.”

“We’ve only had him for six months now,” Lei pointed out. “So he hasn’t gotten too hen-pecked. Besides, he’s a prisoner now. I would think he’d rather be hen-pecked than pen-pecked.”

A laugh filled the room.

We chatted for while. It was good to hear laughter again and not gunfire.

“To come to the real reason of my visit,” Gideon began, and we all sat up straight and sobered.

We all sat still, breathlessly.

“Our commanding officer has sent us here,” Gideon swung his head in Alex’s direction, “to give you guys—or females—a reward for your service to the U. S. Army.”

Gasps come from all of us.

What sort of a reward? I almost shouted. But I kept my lips shut. Would this be the answer to our prayers? We had prayed for a miracle. We were in danger here, all of us, and we needed to get out of here soon.

“Now the question is,” Gideon grinned, “what would you all like? Money for putting electricity in your house and extending it? We have a check for you for $5,000 American dollars. Here, take it.”

We all gasped again, this time in sheer delight, as he passed Meema the envelope.

Meema was wiping her cheeks. She said with a smile, in a husky voice. “I have the miracle in my hands, my daughters.”

Gideon and Alex made a whoop—apparently something people from Tennessee did.

“Now Gideon, can you arrange travel to your state of Hawaii?” Meema's smile lit her whole face. “Can you get us the papers so that we can move there?”

“Hawaii?” Gideon looked shocked. “Why, I’m going to be stationed there for 18 months after we leave here and my vacation home is done. After that, I’m out of the military. Wow! God moves in mysterious ways!”

“He sure does!” I felt the butterflies filling my heart and soul. “Meema, how did you suddenly think Hawaii? I knew we talked about moving, but…”

“Hawaii is the closest American climate to here,” Meema smiled at me. “And many Japanese live there already. We would have things in common. It seems we’re safer with the Americans right now.”

I nodded. Wow!

Things were really moving fast now.

Hawaii? I didn’t know too much about that place, but if it was anything like this island I was ready for it.

It would be safe there.

No getting beat up for being thought a spy or traitor to Okinawa. Sure, I would miss this place but I was already looking forward to it, my new home.

“Meema,” I said excitedly, a thought suddenly popping into my head. “Am I really going to go to a High School in America? Really?”

“Yes, you really are.” Meema chuckled at my enthusiasm. “And we shall be closer to your father as well.”

Yes! I screamed inside.

Good things were starting to happen to us.

We were beginning to heal.

Our horizon of good luck was just on the, well, horizon!