On the last day of their trip, Ema and I had planned to take Itsumi and Shiyo to the museum. But school was running late and we weren’t able to go. Itsumi told me not to worry and that she would go alone with Shiyo instead—but I thought this was a horrible idea! Shiyo was outright nasty towards Itsumi right in front of me and Ema, so I couldn’t imagine the terrible things she’d do without anyone to watch her. I panicked and begged Mr. Hojo to cancel his meeting so he could take them to the museum.
After school, Ema and I rushed home. I was relieved to find Itsumi safe and sound.
“How was the museum? Did you get there all right? Did you have fun? Did Shiyo do anything to you?” I asked in a panic the moment I opened the door.
“That’s a lot of questions,” Itsumi laughed. “Well, first of all, we got to the museum just fine, thanks to the directions you gave Mr. Hojo. Second, it was great! And lastly, Shiyo didn’t ‘do’ anything to me. Actually, she didn’t even come.”
“She didn’t go?”
“Nope. She said she wasn’t feeling well.”
“Oh, okay. Well that’s a relief.”
“What is?”
“No, I mean, it’s nothing. Anyway, I’m just glad that you had a good time.”
Shiyo hadn’t gone with them. I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Falling ill on her last day must have been some sort of divine punishment for everything she had done.
We threw a small party that night, just like we had the year before. Once again, Itsumi’s Japanese clothing was a feast for the eyes. Of course, Shiyo wasn’t able to come because she was sick.
I was sad throughout the party. Itsumi told me that she would come back next year on her spring break before college, but that meant I wouldn’t get to see her again for another whole year. I smiled as much as I could so as not to worry her, but eventually broke down in tears, unable to hold it in any longer.
“Don’t cry, Diana. I have a present for you.” Itsumi sat me down on the sofa. She always made sure that I didn’t put too much pressure on my bad leg. “Here, this is for you. I hope you like it.”
It was a box done up in blue wrapping paper. I opened it and found a lovely little doll sitting politely inside, as if on her best behavior.
“Oh, my goodness!”
“I found this at the market today. Don’t we look alike?”
“Yes! It looks just like you.”
“Right? I was pretty surprised myself.”
“This is amazing. I’m going to take such good care of it. Thank you, Itsumi.” I took the doll out of the box and hugged it. She was only about a foot tall and looked like she was made out of celluloid. She wore an elegant, light blue dress. She had long, luxurious chestnut-colored hair, and shiny black glass eyes. Her light pink lips were curled into a small, seductive smile. The more I looked at the doll, the more it looked like Itsumi. Of course I decided to name her “Itsumi.”
It was probably because I knew I still had the doll that I wasn’t as lonely when Ema and I dropped Itsumi off at the airport the next day.
“Ema, Diana, thank you for everything,” Mr. Hojo said.
Shiyo thanked us in the same curt way that she greeted us when she had first arrived. She went off to the gate by herself.
“Will we meet again next year?” I asked Itsumi.
“Yes, we will.”
“And we also want to go to Japan someday,” Ema added.
“I would love that,” Itsumi replied with a smile.
When Ema and I returned home, I went straight to my bedroom. The doll was sitting on my bed, waiting for me.
“Itsumi. I’m home,” I said, lifting the doll to my face.
Welcome home, Diana. I hope we can be great friends, I thought the doll said to me. Overcome with happiness, I lightly caressed little Itsumi’s face.
Ever since that day, that doll has never left my side. I always keep her wrapped in a cloth because it’s embarrassing to carry a doll now, and I don’t want anyone to know. Of course, I also brought little Itsumi to Japan.
The doll listens to me when I’m down, and rejoices with me when I am happy.
If I have my doll, I can overcome anything.