Free Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky by Sandra Dallas

going,” she told them.
    “Of course, you are,” Mom said.
    “It’s just a crummy little dance. I’d rather stay home.”
    Mom had had enough. Helen had been bitter and rude ever since she’d moved into the barracks. “My son has avery nice band.”
    Helen shrugged. “I didn’t mean to say—”
    “Yes you did,” Mom interrupted. “I expect you to come and see for yourself how good it is.”
    “I’m staying home.”
    “To do what? Sit in the dark and feel sorry for yourself, the way you always do?”
    Mom must have been very angry at Helen, because Tomi had never heard her speak to anyone that way. This must have been another of Mom’s changes. Once or twice, she’d even spoken her mind—something that was rare among Japanese women. This was one of those times. “Do you think you’re the only one who didn’t want to come to this camp? Are you the only one who’s been deprived of school and work because you’re Japanese? It was Tomi’s idea that Mrs. Hayashi would take care of Carl. Have you thanked her?”
    Helen stared at Tomi. “I didn’t know.”
    “You don’t know how nice people have been to you. Mr. Hayashi is taking us out for a Coca-Cola after the dance, and you would insult him if you didn’t come. Now change your dress and brush your hair. We will wait for you.” Mom grabbed the door handle and banged the door shut. Thenshe turned to Tomi and put her hands over face. “Such awful things I said. This place has made me a harsh woman.”
    Tomi beamed at her. “I bet it worked.”
    And it had, because in a few minutes, Helen opened the door. She wore a green dress that Tomi had never seen. Not only was her hair combed, but she had put on lipstick.
    Mom and Tomi walked behind Helen and her brothers, far enough away so that Mom could whisper. “I am proud of you, Tomi. You don’t want to be at Tallgrass any more than Helen does, but you work hard to make the best of it. You try to be happy and to make the people around you happy.” Mom took Tomi’s hand. “I’ve seen what you’ve done for some of the other children to help them adjust to the camp. You are a good girl. And you are a good daughter.”
    Tomi blushed. She wasn’t used to compliments, and she didn’t know what to say. She was glad when they reached the Hayashis’ barracks and she didn’t have to reply. Instead, she admired Ruth’s silk dress. Mrs. Hayashi had sewn one of her own dresses to fit Ruth. Mrs. Hayashi was becoming quite a seamstress.
    They walked together to the building where the dance was held. Mr. and Mrs. Hayashi led the way, followed by Helen and her brothers. Next came Mom walking aloneand finally Tomi and Ruth. As she watched the Hayashis walk arm in arm, Tomi thought how lonely her mother must be without Pop. Mom had written letters asking if Pop could join them at Tallgrass, but nobody had answered her. And Pop’s letters didn’t say much. He had been transferred to a camp in California, but he didn’t tell them why. Tomi wondered if Pop would stay there for the entire war.
    The dance floor was lit with colored lights, and high school girls had decorated it with crepe paper streamers. The band was already playing, and couples were dancing. They weren’t just high school kids, although the older people left the dance floor when Roy and the Royals played a jitterbug because they didn’t understand the new dance steps.
    “I wish I could jitterbug,” Ruth said, watching the dancers.
    “I’ll teach you,” Tomi replied. “I already know how.”
    “I’ll look silly,” Ruth said.
    “No you won’t. Look at how many other people don’t know how to jitterbug, and they’re having a good time.” Tomi gestured at the couples stumbling around the dance floor. The two girls joined them, and in a minute, they were waving their arms and kicking their heels.
    Roy saw Tomi and grinned. He seemed glad his family had come. Tomi noticed him glancing at Helen and realized he was especially glad that