Core Concepts
The author delves into the emotional journey of uncovering the untold story of their father's murder, exploring the impact on their family dynamics and personal identity.
Abstract
The author recounts their sister's childhood pet chick, leading to reflections on their father's murder in Ankara. Despite being present during the tragic event, the author struggles with gaps in memory and understanding. The narrative explores themes of grief, family secrets, and the quest for closure amidst tragedy.
Stats
"In a school essay, my sister described this experience as her “first confrontation with death.”"
"One night in August of 1999, on a summer trip back to Ankara, our dad was murdered."
"Every fall, she’d contact our teachers before the student directory showed up in the mail, to make sure that no one removed our dad’s name from our listing."
"A short obituary in the Boston Globe noted only that he’d died, on vacation in Ankara, “at the hands of an intruder.”"
"He was eulogized in one scientific journal as “warm and decent,” with an “easygoing, modest, and upbeat personality.”"
Quotes
"I wanted what she had, which was firsthand access to the defining tragedy of our lives."
"My grief had the clumsy fit of a hand-me-down."
"Recounting the story was the only way of writing myself in."