Without a Country

by Ayşe Kulin

A daughter will always be yours, but a son is only yours for the first few years. After that, he’ll belong to his friends, then to his girlfriends, and finally, to his wife.

And after his years in America, Peter didn’t think highly of anyplace else.

‘Go like water and return like water. May your journey be as smooth as flowing water.’”

She’d been rejected, and it was because of what she was, not who she was.

Sude’s heart was broken. And empty. She didn’t feel as though she belonged to any religion, and she was certain she would never love again. All she wanted was to be left alone.

“Life isn’t always easy, Sude. Be ready for anything and learn to pick yourself up when you fall. Above all, don’t let a silly boy make you so unhappy!”

“never let your pride get the better of you. Life isn’t nearly as long as you think. It gallops by. Blink, and you miss it. If you love someone, never hide it. Open your heart.”

She’d learned to play the flute, make cherry liqueur, take good photographs, run a small restaurant, and appreciate archaeological ruins.