When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

The Key

I believe it was the key to their home that helped provide the mother with some stability and hope that one day she and her children would return home.  If anybody was to ask where they were, they should say, “We were on vacation.”  She would not offend anyone by answering rudely.  That would not be lady like.

I believe this key became part of her existence because it allowed her to think positive thoughts.  It also allowed her to maintain some hope.  She clung to this key as if it was her life or at least her lifeline.  As she ran her fingertip on the edge of the key, she probably said something to herself like, “I will forget all about this moment and all that we had to endure just because we are different.”  She would check the key everyday like a mom or dad at home checking the house before going to bed.  She would place the key in her mouth to conceal it and keep it safe in her possession if she needed to.  She did place the key around her neck as if to say, “This is where I belong.” “We have a home.”  This is a temporary “home” because we are different.

When the sun came up on the day that the key was to meet its other half, she was very surprised to see what had been done to their home.  I am sure they all must have felt violated and disrespected, but mom held her ground.  She placed her key in the keyhole.  With every click and clack, sense of being home became a reality.