<Begin Segment 11>

AL: And did you have a sense that she wanted to keep, I mean did you know when you went there that you would stay there the rest of your childhood?

AS: Well, I think she wanted to keep me. And she let the other kids go, including Celeste.

AL: So you were the only one she kept the whole time?

AS: Yes.

AL: Why did she let Celeste go?

AS: Well, I think she thought that Celeste, you know how Celeste is, she thought she'd be kind of a bad influence on me. Yeah, 'cause...

AL: Was she?

AS: No, she was not. But you know how Celeste, she was outspoken so she thought oh, she'll lead me astray. She'll have me roaming the neighborhood, too. But she never did that.

AL: Uh-huh. You told a story about Celeste throwing away or burning her rosary beads. Could you tell us that story? What you recall of that and why she did?

AS: Well I think she just threw 'em... oh, I hope I'm not offending the Catholic people, but she threw them in the fireplace I think 'cause she realized, well, you know, "I'm not, I'm not in a Catholic home so no sense having a rosary," so, yeah.

AL: Uh-huh. Do you, was Miss Stuart aware of that when she did it?

AS: I'm sure she did, yeah.

AL: Do you know what her response was?

AS: No. I have no idea. I guess she was kind of glad.

AL: But, but to your knowledge was that Celeste's decision to do that?

AS: Yes, yes, it had to be Celeste's decision. She wouldn't do it unless it was her decision. Yeah.

AL: What did, did you have rosary beads?

AS: No, I didn't. Celeste did.

AL: Celeste did. How long was Celeste at Miss Stuart's?

AS: I believe she was only like there for a year, year and a half.

AL: Uh-huh. And, when and how did you find out that she was gonna be leaving?

AS: Well, I, it was not a formal announcement but I think she went to live with a nearby foster home and then she lived there just for a short time and then she went to another one until that she ended up in the one in Baldwin Park.

AL: These were like group foster homes?

AS: No, they were just like, like individual...

AL: Families?

AS: They weren't like, they were like structured families.

AL: How would you characterize your relationship with Celeste? I mean, is she somebody as a child that you felt was a friend or a sister or just somebody else in the same boat?

AS: More like a sister.

AL: Uh-huh. So what was it like for you when she left?

AS: I really don't, I really don't know what was my reaction when she left.

AL: Uh-huh.

AS: Or if I cried or what...

AL: Did you keep in touch through the, the rest of the time?

AS: Oh, yes. She would, one time she came to visit me and then through letters we kept in contact.

AL: Was she a bad influence?

AS: Oh no. She, she was a good influence.

AL: Uh-huh.

<End Segment 11> - Copyright © 2009 Manzanar National Historic Site and Densho. All Rights Reserved.