May 14, 1943
Hi Joe!
We are all well and hope you get that old flu completely out of you. Today the tube of medicine came with your letter of May 8. Thank you very much for it, okay? Papa has athlete's foot and is always yelling about how much it itches and what not.
On Saturday, May 8, big news flew around the camp saying that Mr. Temple had passed away. We all were sad and never thought of that at all, Joe, please keep this in mind as long as you live. Mr. Temple has done everything for you and all of the boys and has helped you to find your school and gave you a place to live. We hope you have heard about his death and think you have gone to his funeral. The Fujiokas were sure shocked at it. Especially Mary. She was so sad & was about to cry and said he was trying so hard to find me a job and a place to live. Remember now.
Mama thanks you so much for the Mother's Day card & thinks it was a beautiful card and thinks it was swell of you to think of her. Towru gave her a candy bar but I couldn't give her anything but I tried very hard to be a nice girl. The block ladies made artificial carnations & we wore them to church. The church also gave carnations out too. Kay Odahara wrote to her mom and said that she never thought of her mother as being so dear to her & being a helper. She said now that she realized that she wasn't with her, she knows what a mother is to her now. Also said she thought her mom was just there to be there. Gracie and Lila
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were so mean that they wouldn't tell her what the letter said, so I told her in my own words. Mrs. Odahara just sobbed & tears rolled out for she was happy to hear that Kay loved her and realized what a mother was. Then Mrs. Odahara told me to read the letter from Yuki and so I did. It had the same meanings and was about the same as Kay's letter.
Yuki & George sent her some chocolates in a box and she was very happy for she got her favorite chocolates. (caramels and nuts). Last night they had a farewell party for Mrs. Kikuta, Take Iiyama, Willy Fujioka. They are all leaving for Sugar Flats. Also the Nakahara boy. Mitsu Inyama left already.
Guess what? They have finally made the tennis court but the darn thing is too small. Its about 1/4 the size of the playgrounds tennis court. The Church is planning to have anotheer picnic out of camp. When I go, I'm going to go trout fishing with Towru's things.
Kay wrote & said it was just boiling hot out in Chicago. Gee we don't like to embarrass you, but every time you write & say you cooked something we all laugh cause its so funny to believe you're a cook. Say 3's the limit no more Japanese boys in your place. Mom says 3's enough & if you get anymore its going to spoil it like in Mr. Temples place. Well I better close.
Always Yours
Masako
Excuse my writing