The time has been too short. I am at my sister's house and will be on the plane at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning beginning the torture, uh, flight back to Guam. I can't wait to see Wakana.

A few days ago she and I talked and she was feeling low because she'd become the focus of some gossip in the Japanese community. I guess some of our acquaintances, the ones she doesn't like, have been talking about her. They seem to think she is 'eccentric'.

I had to remind her of the members of that community who liked her and respected her. I reminded her that the ones who are talking about her are the ones she does not respect. I think she's feeling better but I wish I'd been there when she needed me.