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概要

eigo13

“Tomato”（トマト） （２２３）Haruko Suenaga（ 末永ハル子）Early in the morning on August the 6th - the day we never forget, wehad an alarm of an air attack. Later it was cleared. There was not a cloudin the sky. Though the sun was shining strongly, it was a rather pleasantmorning. I cooked Teruko’s lunch, roasted some beans for her snack, andput them in a small bag. I handed the lunch box and the small bag toTeruko. I said to her, “Its ready now, Teruko.” She replied happily“Quickly, I’ll fetch something from the yard.” And soon she came backwith a small tomato. “Dad, this tomato is ripe. It is for you. Please eat it.”She said and washed it. My husband said “Oh, tomato is your favorite. Itis yours. Eat it before leaving.” Teruko answered “No, it is yours, Dad.Please eat it.” A small tomato was very precious at that time. Everythingwas rationed then. Finally they shared the tomato, saying “It is nice, isn’tit?”They finished eating it. And then Teruko said with a brave voice “Ihave to go now.” and she left home with her friend.And now, even though 13 years have passed, her voice remains in mymind, repeated again and again “I have to go now.” “I have to go now.”And an hour later ? who could expect ? that such a horrible thingwould happen. I had spent the day worrying about Teruko. I wonderedwhether she was safe and would come home. I had to stay home to takecare of Teruko’s younger brother Hideaki. He was injured very badly. Icouldn’t go out to look for her. I saw many injured people passing in frontof our house. They were walking to their homes. Seeing them, I wasdriven into going out to look for her. I couldn’t keep standing or sittingstill. My son, 7 year-old Hideki was burnt on almost the whole of his bodyand his head was seriously injured. Fortunately I was perfectly safe, eventhough our house was broken in half. On the night of the 6th, duringanother alarm of air attack, Hideaki passed away. I kept holding him allthrough the night and worried about Teruko. “What is she doing now?She might have died. No. No, she could not have. Our daughter Terukowill come back with a smile.” I said to myself. The night passed veryquickly. I could not sleep well at all.The next day, I decided to go out. I had to look for Teruko. I went toTeramachi over the Yokogawa Bridge with my 3-year-old child on my back.