With scabs forming on her knees and her hands wrapped in gauze, Rae was miserable. She didn’t want to read. She didn’t want to watch movies. She wanted to mope, and she was doing a fine job of it until Kellen suggested they read more of Ruby’s diary.

Rae brightened. “Yes! Let’s go to the attic. I love Ruby. I feel closer to her there. She’s so smart and brave and her father is so mean!”

Today, the commander of the island fortifications came to the house. Father invited him to dinner; I think he had illusions that General Tempe would make me a good suitor. At the table, Mother asked him if he was married. He said he had been. His wife had left him to become an actress and their three young sons lived with her parents. He looked at me sideways as if he knew what Father wanted. I asked him if he would like more candied oranges. We grow oranges in a protected orchard and they are very tasty. I also asked about a party for his men. I said I thought the boys of my age would appreciate a chance to drink, dance, talk about their homes and families. The general looked at me differently then. He understood me very well.

When he had gone, Father shouted at me. He said these days, no man of power would have a half-Jap girl, regardless of her father’s influence, and I had better learn to beg for scraps. I told him I didn’t want an old man like him who cared only for power and nothing for love, a man who everyone loathed.

He hit me. He knocked me down. Mother cried out. Hermione dragged me away before he could trample me under his feet.

I didn’t know he cared whether I insulted him, told him that he is an ogre and that we all hate him. But apparently he does. So I succeeded in some small way to hurt that giant cruel ego, and I’m glad. I’m glad, and I wear my bruises proudly.

Father was gone by morning.

We’ll have our party.