While I Was Away Page 21
Many thanks also to Kami Kinard for your excellent advice with revisions.
To my monthly writing group with whom I’ve been meeting for years: John Vincent, Matt Merenda, Maren Curtis, Aileen Sheedy—thank you for the laughs, the pretzels, the camaraderie, and for sticking with me throughout our writing adventures. I appreciate the time you spent reading countless drafts of While I Was Away (as well as all my other stories!), and our hours spent at the Lucky Lab. You’re all phenomenal writers and friends.
To the women in my online writing community, the Story Broads: I am so grateful for your tremendous support. When I think of you, the saying “A rising tide lifts all boats” comes to mind.
I would like to express my gratitude for my coworker Meiko Kotani, who checked over my Japanese, Dr. Gary Mukai, and all my colleagues at the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE). “Work” doesn’t seem like “work” with you.
To my friends, the real Annette and Kris, I am so lucky to have grown up with you.
To my siblings, even though we are spread far and wide, I appreciate your support and wish we could see each other more often. And I apologize for times I was a brat when we were younger! Delving into old journals provided much indisputable evidence to how challenging I could be.
To my friends and family in Japan: Thank you for taking me in and treating me as one of your own. I am forever indebted to you for the care and comfort you provided me.
Obaasama, although you are no longer with us, your spirit lives on.
To my parents, thank you for all the opportunities you provided us. I’m honored to be your daughter. Now that I have my own children, I am only now beginning to understand just how many sacrifices you made for us.
Speaking of children, to my boys, Kogen, Tai, and Leo: even though I am very proud of this book, you three will always be my best, most treasured creations. Your enthusiasm and belief in your mama is the fuel that keeps me going.
Finally, to my husband, my rock, and my cheerleader all rolled into one: Miles, thank you for everything. I love you and can’t imagine being on this journey with anyone else.
About the Author
Photo by Miles W. Brown
WAKA T. BROWN was the first American born in her family. She is a Stanford graduate with a master’s in secondary education. With her background, she’s worked to further US–Japan relations and promoted cultural exchange and awareness. She’s currently an instructor at the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE), authoring curriculum on several international topics, and winning the Association for Asian Studies’ Franklin R. Buchanan Prize. Waka’s also been awarded the US–Japan Foundation and EngageAsia’s 2019 Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award for her groundbreaking endeavors in teaching about US–Japan relations to high school students in Japan. While I Was Away is her debut book. She lives with her family in the Portland, Oregon area. To learn more about Waka, visit her online at www.wakatbrown.com.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
Copyright
Quill Tree Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
WHILE I WAS AWAY. Copyright © 2021 by Waka T. Brown. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
www.harpercollinschildrens.com
Cover art © 2021 by Tracy Subisak
Cover design by Lisa Vega
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020945260
Digital Edition JANUARY 2021 ISBN: 978-0-06-301713-9
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-301711-5
2021222324PC/LSCH10987654321
FIRST EDITION
This is a work of nonfiction. The events and experiences detailed herein are all true and have been faithfully rendered as remembered by the author, to the best of her abilities. Some names, physical descriptions, and other identifying characteristics have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty. Ltd.
Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
www.harpercollins.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Bay Adelaide Centre, East Tower
22 Adelaide Street West, 41st Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4E3
www.harpercollins.ca
India
HarperCollins India
A 75, Sector 57
Noida
Uttar Pradesh 201 301
www.harpercollins.co.in
New Zealand
HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand
Unit D1, 63 Apollo Drive
Rosedale 0632
Auckland, New Zealand
www.harpercollins.co.nz
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF, UK
www.harpercollins.co.uk
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
www.harpercollins.com