Title: Letter to Molly Wilson from Chiyeko Akahoshi, 3/25/1943 (ddr-janm-1-105)

Densho ID: ddr-janm-1-105

12-11-4

Manzanar, Calif.

March 25, 1943

Dearest Molly,

Hi kid! Surprised? Well, I bet’cha you are! As you see, I finally got ambitious & have started to “squirt” some ink in your direction. About time, eh? Hum—pleeze excuse me for having delayed answering you letter! I’ve been bust with school work, (now mind you, I said school work!!) so I just found time to write today.

Well, ole’ pal, how ya be? I hope okay & as for “me” self—I couldn’t be in better health!

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…How’s everything runnin’? Smoothly I hope! Has anything new stirred up in the neighborhood? How about Mickey & Nat? Are they still around? If so tell ‘em “hello” for us, okay? (If Mickey’s still mischievious, don’t tell him anything!) How about Le-cha & her sisters & brother? Tell her “hello” too! Oh, are there still soldiers & other men in uniforms in Junko’s old Japanese school? Um, I heard about them! I bet some of ‘em aren’t bad to look at eh??? Come, now!!!!

Molly, how’s it feel to be a Senior B? Feel mighty big, don’t you? Boy, what…

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…I won’t give to be up there “proud” & “mighty”!! Oh, in the “Times” a couple of weeks ago I saw a picture of the Roosevelt cafeteria. I tried to recognize some faces but to no avail. Mighty proud to have our school in the paper, right? Were you in the cafeteria when they snapped the picture? Glory-be, did it make me fell homesick!! Simply!!???

Well, how has the food rationing affected you? Have you found it hard to live, now that it is…

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…in full affect? Here, no change, we eat beans & rice & other ––!!

Are you getting’ ready for Easter, or haven’t you even given it a thought? With the war & all, I guess many people won’t dress up, eh? Here in Manzanar, what’s the use? Maybe some people will get new outfits, but I think I’m out!!

Are you still taking piano lessons? Or has the war affected that too? They teach piano here, so Kazuko is learning how to hang it (but right) I haven’t touched a piano so long, that I bet I even…

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…forgot how to touch the keys! But seriously, I’m “so” good, I could play in Carnegie Hall along with Jack Benny!! Wow-hoo!!!!!!

Say, if you see Doris Finn or Mary Oskanian (you know who they are, don’t you?—well if you see them tell ‘em “Any day” that I’m just waitin’ for them to answer!!! Bawl ‘em, out for me, okay???!!! (Good & hard, too!!!)

Well, I’ll close now, with my sincerest best regards to you & your…

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…dad, mom & bud, I am,

Always

Chiyeko

P.S. Write soon, & write me the latest dose on school & everything!!

Goodbye

Chiye