Indelible

You know how some people can remember things from way, way back? I can't. No memories from age 3, and certainly none from age 2. When I was 3 our family moved to Zurich for my father's job. I have a photo in my album where my mom and I are wearing matching plaid outfits that she sewed herself. We look like the perfect family, with three kids and a cute gray poodle named Rima.

My mom says I used to announce cheerfully each day, "time for a nap!" She was grateful because these were dark days and slipping under the blankets probably made us both feel a little bit better.

When I was 4, I remember walking into my parents' room. He was standing in front of the mirror, fixing his tie. I asked, "where are you going?" "On a business trip," he replied curtly, and then added, "a long business trip."

He never returned.