Prologue
Even today, almost 60 years later, I can still hear his voice; see his pained, haunted face. And I still feel the same mix of feelings whenever I think of him: hatred, terror, and most disturbing of all, love. Yes, I loved him, despite all that he had done; all that he had put me through. Who could not love a man whose entire being was consumed by his love for you, even before he knew that you existed?
As I lay here dying, the events of so long ago once again replay in my mind, with more clarity than before. This is why I have asked you, my child, to take this all down. I have for so long been plagued, never being able to tell anyone exactly what happened, because even I have trouble believing it sometimes. But memory doesn't lie; maybe it embellishes a little bit, but never lies.
So why tell it now? I can not go peacefully if I do not tell it. He would never let me. So make yourself comfortable, and humor a dying old woman. For I can guarantee that you will never hear a story like this for as long as you walk this earth.
Even today, almost 60 years later, I can still hear his voice; see his pained, haunted face. And I still feel the same mix of feelings whenever I think of him: hatred, terror, and most disturbing of all, love. Yes, I loved him, despite all that he had done; all that he had put me through. Who could not love a man whose entire being was consumed by his love for you, even before he knew that you existed?
As I lay here dying, the events of so long ago once again replay in my mind, with more clarity than before. This is why I have asked you, my child, to take this all down. I have for so long been plagued, never being able to tell anyone exactly what happened, because even I have trouble believing it sometimes. But memory doesn't lie; maybe it embellishes a little bit, but never lies.
So why tell it now? I can not go peacefully if I do not tell it. He would never let me. So make yourself comfortable, and humor a dying old woman. For I can guarantee that you will never hear a story like this for as long as you walk this earth.