The truck that drove away. (Exclusion of Japanese-Americans)

I've heard so much about the Japanese-Americans being sent to camps surrounded by barbered wire. I asked Ma for the reason, but all she said was "Because they endanger our country." I think Ma is wrong. Mr. Nakamura from the shop down the street could never endanger the country, but what would Ma think if I said my opinion out loud. After all, I am just 10 years old, how could what I have to say possibly matter? Mr.Nakamura is like a second dad to me, but of course, I have a dad of my own so he was second place. He means so much to me I cannot even begin. I worry that he is going to be sent away too. I will fight for him if he does. I will make my voice heard despite being 10. I will. I will not stand by and watch someone who is a role model get punished for his nationality. I will not. He means so much to me, I will volunteer to die in his place., if that is what it takes.

" Lucinda, whatever happens, do not go down to Mr.Nakamura's shop today alright?" Ma says while walking into my room without knocking and setting down a basket of clean laundry. I hate it when Ma does not knock on my door and just rushes in.

"Ma, why shouldn't I?" I ask her, although I already know the answer. Mr.Nakamura is in trouble, and I will do something about it. I am old enough to make my own decisions.

"I think you should ask your father. He'll be better at explaining." She looks at me with upset eyes and I know that I was right- Mr.Nakamura is going away. Ma opens my closet hoping that it is messy so she could yell at me, but instead, it is all neat and organized. I cleaned it last night.

Instead of arguing I just nod my head and grab Dorothy, my blue plush elephant Mr.Nakamura got me for my birthday. Dorothy got her name after Mr.Nakamura's cat that died last year because she was old.

"I am going for a walk," I declare while putting on my shoes.

"And which way are you going?" Ma asks me.

"The opposite of Mr.Nakamura's shop, Ma" I force a smile.

"Thats my girl" she hands me my jacket and I take it.

When I get outside I really do head the opposite way of Mr.Nakamura's shop, but that is only because I know Ma is watching me out the window, so I'll just walk around the block and go to his shop from the other way of the street.

I pass many empty houses from which Japanese-Americans were removed and taken to camps. I don't think the actions of the government were correct because the people in this town did nothing wrong, they are being judged for their race. I'm French-American and I cannot imagine this ever happening to French types of blood. I would be so scared and my Pa would be left for his life because he is pure American. Ma and I would suffer.

When I get to the shop I exhale a breath of relief because I see Mr.Nakamura talking to someone. I do not know who though because there is a big poster in the window, which is covering their face. I am about to go into the sho when I see the anguish and fear on Mr.Nakamura's face at the same time as someone grabs him by his arms. In about three seconds, two men come out wearing suits that show they are not from this town, basically dragging Mr.Nakamura by his elbows.

"Mr.Nakamura, where are they taking you," I ask him as I try to get the two men off of him.

"Lucinda, stay back, please. It's ok. My life has been so much happier with you in it, but if you fight too hard, you might make the situation worse"

"They're judging you for your race. How could they do that without crying themselves to sleep?"

"Please step back young lady," one of the Men says but I just ignore him.

"We actually sing ourselves to sleep knowing that we are preventing our country from being in danger. These people are traitors, Young lady"

"Lucinda", I hear my mother call as tears fall down my cheeks, "I knew I should have never let you go for your walk"

"Ma, please. No one understands because you're all stupid. I always thought that adults are so much smarter than kids, but now I know I'm wrong. How could you guys be so blind?"

"Lucinda" Ma gasps.

"Ma, what would you do if the same would be happening to French-Americans. You would be sent to camps. " I tell her.

"but French people would never bomb someplace, ever." She says.

"You don't know that," I say in a voice full of pain.

"Yes, in fact, I do," she says and then practically sweeps me off my feet and starts carrying me home.

"Mr.Nakamura, don't leave..." Were the last words I was able to say to him before he got loaded into a truck and driven away. However, these are also the words I repeat in my nightmares ever since.

Mr. Nakamura has given me a lesson I will never forget. People should be judged by their actions, but often they are judged by their appearance, so don't stand out in any way. Be ordinary instead of extraordinary. During the time Mr.Nakamura was still around, I wanted to go into space, but now my goal is just to stay low so if there is a little girl just like me, she does not get heartbroken when she gets too attached and I get attacked.

Mr.Nakamura never came home. All others came, not him. I waited every single day. 20 years. I even wrote a poem for him. I hope to publish it when the country is great and fair again. It has some points I think they might not like.