The Northwest times. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1947-1955, 1954-02-20
IT'S NICE DAY, SON


ed
There was the usual little wait.
Father never started Immediately
and oftened listened to the strange
cha ter of tiny cracklings and scra-
tchings that the line always emits
before father started to talk. Then
his hello came to me and immedi-
atelv l knew some hing was differ
ent. His voice was bit hollow and
there was a tired edge to his tones.
Suddenly, his voice broke and
something like muffled groan
came to me- l felt vague alarm
until father laughed uproariously
and said L just banged my elbow
against the table, son. Golly. did it
hurtl" l grinned l had done the
same thing many times.
Yes, fathers calls were powerful
medicine. l was almost content and
l began to eat better, to feel strong
er One day I called Mrs. Takana-
ka. DO you think father could get
some time off from his work to come
to see me now? It's been so very
long. He says sometimes. that as
soon as his work is finihed he's go
ing to get good rest. Do you think
he'll rest here?"
Mrs Takanaka turned away and
fumbled with kimono she'd been
sewing When she turned toward
me her eyes we're funny. He works
SO hard and he has so little time at
all I'm afraid, Toshio, that he
can't right now. l do know that he
wants you to try to get well and
strong. Then we'll see l was dis
appointed but again father made
me feel better when he called that
evening.
With the coming of spring, lrea-
lly improved and one day l was al
lowed to sit in the sunshine. What
is it about getting outdoors? There
must be subtle chemistry In the
open air because l really began tc
get we'll 1t was then l had LITTLE
shock Not a bad one but it made
me feel out of sorts for few days
Father told me that they were send
ing him even farther away. 81
far that he could only call infre
quently.
son I don't like this any NOR
than you do but please do wha
! Mrs Takanaka tells you and Tn
sure the time will pass pretty quick
"" At first I rebelled but Mrs. Ia
kanaka was so nice about my littl
l display of temperament that I re
Tented and I found I could almos
forget that father hadn't called re
Gently.
One of the biggest thrills of m
life was when I actually starte
school again. I became tired easi
and at first I just watched the
Their boys but suddenly. it seeme'
7 was playing their games. FAITH
was only calling once week no
y and once he missed week, then
u mother and once, two weeks.
guess it was close to winter, th'
day came home and found Il
{ doctor and Mrs Takanaka waltz
- for me.
: "Toshio" the doctor said Is
~ down a moment I want to tell "
II something Mrs Takanaka M
ie the strange look in her eyes that
ID hadn't seen for long time II
~ doctor seemed to be bordering +
u next words and was having troub
~ "Toshio he said finally. NE
J. er. never forget your father" I W
-. startled
10 Forget him. IT,. how could eV
do that. Why. ="
~ The doctor lifted his hand.
Us have something to tell you that
very hard for me. I'm not too 81
about how to tell you"
as when you first became i'll,
;" found that your father too, h
III contracted tuberculosis. You had
a' good chance. He had none"
1. Tho doctors ewes were intent a
al unseeing and I knew he looked
ward he was cropping for words
Il tell me this =. VIII atever it was.
le' looked at Mrs Takanaka and
On head was averted She was starr
ne down at her folded hands.
m, "He felt. and I agreed. Il
oW if he. went. you would proba