1. Let Me Tell You a Story

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY

Actually, it's two stories, one you will recognize and one you won't.

One is about me and you. The other is about the boy. But it's also about me. And about you.

I know. I'm not making sense. I'm 107 years old. It goes with the territory. Forgive me my meanderings.

Before I start, I want to make it clear. He did something bad. Truly bad. I don't want you to think I'm sidestepping that, or excusing it, or even forgiving it; it's not for me to forgive, anyhow.

But I'm telling you the story so you understand how he got where he did and how I got where I did and how both of us learned to rise to the occasion of our lives.

Did that get your attention, Olka?

I thought it might.