“FIFTY-SIX, FIFTY-SEVEN.” JESI’S ARMS trembled, her body weak. “Fifty-eiiight. I can’t do this, I can’t.” “Don’t give up. Never give up,” Mames whispered. “Fifty-niiine. One more push-up,” Jesi said, talking herself to the finish. “Help me, Ma-miss.” “You can do it,” Mames whispered again. “SIIIXTY.” Jesi face planted on the ground. I did it, I did it! She took two deep breaths then turned sideways to rest her right cheek against the cool guȧfak, a mat of woven pandanus leaves. Both arms stretched above her head. Mames is always there when I need her. Chirping geckos ran across the dirt and made her smile. The little buggers kept her company in the cave. A small bulb attached to the D battery furnished enough light at night, to exercise, and to read the notes she took for grandma’s medicine. Thank you, Peter. Jesi rolled to her back. Peter, one of her older brothers, had worked odd jobs for the cable company and the Pan Am Hotel. He collected discarded equipment, including broken lamps and flashlights. Some bulbs worked, even three years later. She remembered the push-up challenges against Peter and her oldest brother, Tommy. They always beat her. Then when they were done, Tommy would tickle her to no end. Tommy enlisted as a mess attendant in the US Navy so he could see the world. That was before the war. He was only permitted to work the lowest job. “You’re not an American citizen,” he was told. Tommy didn’t care; he said he’d be the “best food server the navy had.” Jesi blinked away a tear. I hope you’re safe. Tommy’s last letter came home in October 1941, two months before the Japanese soldiers invaded the island. Jesi was almost nineteen now, and had a good chance at beating her brothers in push-ups. Exercise was invigorating. There wasn’t much else to do hiding out. Jesi hopped up, rolled the guȧfak, and put it back in its place then walked deeper into the cave. She wet a washcloth and wiped her hands then picked up her toothbrush. Jesi moved a few feet to her right toward the table where she stored her food. She trod along the wall of the cave to the opening, a cave hidden within the cliffs on the eastern coast of Guam. Jesi stopped once she reached the door of vines and trees. She listened for unusual noises from outside. The sounds of bombs and airplane engines continued their unforgiving raid. The entrance to the cave was close to the edge of the rock face, looming over the Pacific Ocean. No one other than her dad and Peter had been here since that awful day. Jesi never strayed from the vicinity of her hiding place. She never saw a Japanese soldier, but figured they looked like the Japanese lady who owned Dejima store. And the man that helped her was Japanese. Jesi used to tag along with her mom and Peter when it was time to stock up on household items and foodstuffs. They bought imported goods from Mrs. Dejima such as coffee, corned beef, and razor blades. She pushed the vines aside, stepped between trees, and sat with her legs crossed. The coolness of the ground against her thighs comforted her. Ten feet of grass covered the ledge until the land gave way to a wall of limestone. If the Japanese ever found her, she couldn’t even escape by jumping. The sharp rocks at the base of the cliff would cut her to pieces. A sliver of moon reflected off Pago Bay. The stars sparkled in the night. She ate her nuts and dried meat, and took a gulp of water from her canteen. Jesi pulled off the elastic band then wriggled her fingers through her hair. With her head tilted back and her eyes closed, she inhaled, filling her lungs. The ocean breeze brushed against her face and skin, giving her goose bumps. It was cooler in the evenings, and it was windy. The aroma of salty water and the fragrance of the jungle filled her nostrils. The waves crashed against the rocks. She yearned to swim. Lucky if she got a rinse in the freshwater stream. It was nothing compared to swimming across Pago Bay. Grandma. She cocked her head upright then pressed four fingers against her nose and lips, imitating the way her Grandma had kissed her hand a thousand times. Jesi’s heart grew heavy. Grandma was an esteemed Chamorro medicine woman on the island, and Jesi was being trained to follow in her footsteps.
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