I drove down a narrow and winding mountainside road toward Iwakuni. The sky was growing dark, and snow fell heavier and faster. I could barely see where I was going. I heard a siren from a patrol car in the distance approaching. My heart was in a state of panic and I was terrified. I pleaded or rather prayed, not to get caught. I was desperate and broken-hearted. Just an hour before I had a dreadful confrontation with my parents and decided to leave Japan and marry Tom, an American GI. I knew my traditional father would be furious. I knew any satisfactory resolution between us would be impossible. I knew in my soul there was nothing I could do. I knew there was no turning back.