Surena Lisandera

My life began in despair.

I was born the daughter of a merchant who traveled from place to place.

I think I spent a hectic childhood watching my parents rush about whenever we arrived in a big city.

Since we never stayed in one place, I never made anything like a friend.

To begin with, I apparently wasn’t very good at talking to people. Whenever we settled into temporary lodgings, I would spend my days quietly watching the time pass inside our room.

“Surena, you’re such a quiet, well-behaved girl.”

My parents would say things like that to me.

It wasn’t that I felt unloved, but my parents were always busy earning our daily bread. They may have had far less time for me than most parents have for their children.

I vaguely thought I shouldn’t get in my parents’ way. If that made a good impression on them, then I was glad.

As always, from city to city, from country to country...