The season mocked us, bringing an early chill on a morning already shivery with leave-taking. Still, my mother remained calm and organized food for me—a packet of bread and jerked beef for the journey. We said our farewells at home to avoid crying in public, but I noted the glimmer of tears my parents fought back as they watched me as carefully as I watched them. The moment was so painful I told myself it was a bad dream that wouldn’t last forever.
