My Mother would use the Italian expression, “Come si chiama” (What’s his name) to refer to my Father. He was nameless or non-existent in her world. She bad-mouthed him and made no effort to include him in my life. I went to see him a few times from when I was 9 – 17 years old. When I was old enough to drive I went to see him. I gave him my high school picture and I signed on the back, “From your little angel.” He used to call me that. I asked him why he never came to see me and I didn’t understand totally at the time but he replied, “I love you now as I’ve always loved you. I could not fight the forces against me.” He was referring to my mother and her contempt for him.