The Red Kimono: A Novel

3. Nobu

“Perhaps later. Let us wait and see.” He stared at the altar, where cedar-scented smoke drifted into the air, then disappeared. CHAPTER 3 Nobu DECEMBER 12, 1941 The clang of the school bell echoed in the emptying halls of Berkeley High School. Nobu couldn’t put off going to class any longer. Hissing whispers hushed when he entered homeroom, but his classmates’ stares followed him to his seat. He gritted his teeth, trying to heed Papa’s words. Do not cause trouble. Nothing to draw attention. Papa had even used that word again after the Feds confiscated Japanese customers’ accounts and he lost his job at the bank. Gaman. One can endure more than one thinks. Angry thoughts scattered feverishly, resistant to being controlled by his father’s sentiments. How could Papa not get mad about being fired? Ready to explode, his heart raced, face flushed. But this wasn’t the time or the place. When he tossed his books onto his desk, the loud clap silenced murmurs that breathed again, like a beast that refused to die. Before sitting, he nodded at Kazu, who sat in the desk behind his. Did his friend feel as angry? Chalk screeched as Mr. Bailey scribbled math problems on the blackboard . He wore the same thing he always did—a white shirt and brown cardigan. The only part of his teacher-uniform that ever changed was his bow tie, and on this day, he wore a black one. After covering the board with a jumbled mess of algebra problems, he turned to the class. “Good morning, students,” he said, opening his roll book. “Sarah Andrews,” he called. “Here.” 14 JAN MORRILL Nobu and Kazu snuck notes back and forth to each other, while Mr. Bailey continued roll call. Kazu: Joe and Terrence are coming over to shoot some baskets after school. You coming? Nobu: Why’d you ask Joe? He’s a troublemaker. Kazu: Best guard on the team. Nobu: That’s if he can manage to stay on the team without getting kicked off. Okay. Guess I’ll be there. “Nobu Kimura?” “Here.” Bailey scanned the room over his wire-rimmed reading glasses. “Nobu Kimura?” “I’m here!” What was the deal with calling his name twice? Didn’t Bailey hear the first time? Or was it his way of drawing attention to a Jap? Bailey continued through the list, ending with Steve White, then announced, “And now, class, please stand and join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.” Books slapped shut and chairs scooted as everyone stood and faced the flag hanging at the front of the class. Nobu put his hand over his heart. “I pledge allegiance, to the flag...” They were words he’d always recited mindlessly, until a phrase caught in his throat. “. . . one nation . . .” One nation? Yeah, right. He couldn’t help notice Kazu’s silence when the rest of the class said the words, “with liberty and justice for all.” The end of the day couldn’t come soon enough. When the last bell rang, Nobu rushed down the crowded hall toward doors to the outside. The passage was a gauntlet of words that punched like fists. “Hey, Nobu. Japs aren’t the only ones who can carry out an unprovoked and dastardly attack. Better watch out!” Another snickered and said, “Yeah. Watch out, all right. The President has declared war. That means open season on Japs.” The taunts were suffocating. He had to get out—had to get away from the bumping and pushing. “Hey,” someone yelled from the crowded hall. “Isn’t your brother at Pearl Harbor?” The Red Kimono 15 Nobu turned to find the voice. Dozens were gawking, but he couldn’t tell who had spoken. “Just think,” the same voice called again. “One day Taro Kimura is our star player on the ball team, the next day he’s a Jap attacking Pearl Harbor. Maybe you should think twice about wearing your traitor brother’s letterman jacket.” Someone grabbed him. The last straw. He turned around, fist clenched, ready to belt the jerk who called Taro a traitor. “Hey, hey. It’s just me,” said Kazu, holding up his hands in defense. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” “Yeah. Let’s.” Joe and Terrence were sitting on the porch steps when Nobu and Kazu arrived to shoot baskets. “What took you guys so long?” Joe...