sook ching

18 august 1942

dear diary,

daddy and my 3 older brothers are going to a party! it’s an adult-only party so i don’t get to go. and mommy can’t go because she has to stay to take care of me and all my little brothers and sisters.

mommy says the party is going to be a very fun party, held by the japanese. i don’t like the japanese, they’re scary! but maybe scary people can have fun parties too.

mommy says she doesn’t know when they’ll be back. the party might last days! what a cool party.

sincerely,

qi ming

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19 august 1942

dear diary,

oldest brother came back from the party! just oldest brother though. he has ‘examined’ stamped on his face, which i thought was weird, but he says he got dared to do it. adults are so strange.

oldest brother says daddy and 2nd and 3rd brothers are still at the party. he says they’re having a lot of fun. i asked oldest brother why he came home early. he says it’s because he lost a game and got kicked out of the party. no wonder he looks so sad.

sincerely,

qi ming

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20 august 1942

dear diary,

daddy and 2nd and 3rd brothers aren’t back yet. oldest brother says that since this party’s so fun, so they might decide to go with the japanese to another party immediately after this party ends. two long parties! that sounds really cool!

but at the same time i want them to lose a game and get kicked out too. i really miss them. i hope it happens soon so i'll get to have fun with them again.

sincerely,

qi ming