Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma

Author:Liz Tolsma
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2014-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Mercedes shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she stood in the hot kitchen, her paring knife grasped in her hands. The pile of camotes waiting to be peeled beckoned to her as her stomach rumbled and growled. Every part of her wanted to slip one in her apron pocket and take it to Paulo. Every part but her conscience. Was it wrong to steal food if you were starving to death?

Even with Mr. Tanaka’s help and Charles’s forethought, they were hungry. She worried most about Paulo. A growing boy like him needed proper nutrition to become a healthy man. She remembered her father, struggling with a large family to feed and no funds with which to do so. He had wasted away before their eyes.

She wanted so much better for her son. Would fight for that for him.

She ran the knife over the orange-colored peel, careful to leave as much flesh as possible. The internees needed every calorie, every bit of food they could manage.

Irene worked beside her, her lips drawn into a thin line, puffy dark bags under her eyes. She tipped her head to the left and then to the right and gripped her paring knife so her knuckles were white.

The pile of peeled camotes grew until they were both down to their last few. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Irene dropped the knife and bent to retrieve it. “I warned you.”

“He’s been kind to me and Paulo. He helps us. Helps my son.”

“That doesn’t make a difference. He was kind to me too. To get what he wanted.”

Mercedes sighed and let her hands fall still. “If he wanted to hurt me, he’s had plenty of opportunities. I don’t believe it’s the same man.” But she thought of his advances, the way he kissed her.

What would be the price for his kindness?

“I will never forget him. He is missing a fingertip on his right hand.”

Mercedes leaned against the sink, then straightened. “Many men are missing fingertips. That doesn’t make Mr. Tanaka unique.” She wasn’t sure she believed her own words.

“Why won’t you listen to me?” Irene stabbed her knife into the heart of the camote in her hand, her fair face reddening.

“Look at me. I am a woman alone here. I have my son to think of, to feed and care for. With Charles gone, I need all of the help I can get. Befriending a Japanese guard ensures our survival. At the least, aids in it greatly.” She began working once more.

“Don’t be so sure. Rand is right. The game you play is more dangerous than Russian roulette.” Irene wagged a long finger at her.

“If I play it right, I win.” Mercedes tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She had to win.

“He will hurt you, sooner or later. Spare yourself that trouble. Rely on God.”

“The heavens are silent now.” God felt very far away, like He had brought them to this camp and forgotten about them.

“Do you know what Anita would say to that? ‘The Lord will open the heavens.

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