thE neEDles slipped from Sam’s hands and the wool tangled up in knots Knitting made him want to pull out his hair Next to him Keiko bent over her wool Her needles flew like the wind Click Clack Click Clack Rows of blue stitches grew inch by inch
Aa Cc Dd Ee Hh Ii Ll Good work Keiko said their teacher Mrs Olson Having a problem Sam Click Clack Click Clack Remember pick up the yarn Wrap it around the needle Pull the stitch through she said We must do our part for the war effort Our soldiers are counting on you Sam That’s a mistake Sam thought I’m a terrible knitter No one should count on me
In the lunchroom Sam felt a tap on his shoulder Keiko smiled at him I can help you with your knitting Keiko was Sam’s next-door neighbor Ever since President Roosevelt had declared war on Japan in December some of Sam’s friends refused to talk to Keiko and the other Japanese American students at First Street School in Boyle Heights I don’t need any help mumbled Sam turning away Keiko’s smile disappeared Suit yourself She turned her back and sat at an empty table
After lunch Sam played catch with his best friend Jack Have you heard from Mike Jack asked as he caught the ball smoothly Sam shook his head When he thought about his older brother fighting in the war Sam’s stomach tied up in knots like the yarn on his desk Don’t worry Jack said He’s probably too busy winning the war to write a letter
