Caroline 1

I have met those who assert they can remember some events as early as age two or three. While I would never question the sincerity, I would wonder about the accuracy. This usually involves some major event, often with photos, which adults would talk of later.
So, how many memories are genuine and how many induced?
In turn, people consider the timing of my first memory a bit odd. Scant days before your sixth birthday is considered unusual, a sign of repressed memories.
It was late summer at my Grandma's place in Victoria. The parents had vanished for the entire summer, leaving me in her care.
I don't know what it was, but something told me Grandma was getting a lot of phone calls.
My very first memory is the phone ringing.
She answers, "oh yes Colonel, thank you so much for all your help. Wonderful how you people covered up."
Pause while Col speaks.
Grandma chuckles, "well yes, I guess the army wished to cover up just as much as the family. And no, I haven't told her yet, way too young to hear all that."
Pause.
"As a matter of fact Col, there is one thing you could do. She has to register for school here, yet the principal is hassling me."
Pause.
"Ok then, here's the name and phone number."
Minutes later, the phone rings. This time I'm near enough to hear a loud booming man's voice, one used to lots of authority.
Laugh, "she agreed to drop any embarrassing questions. The official line is both parents are deceased on a military misadventure, one kept from the media."
Grandma laughs, "sounds like implying they were spies."
"I never said that, though she might have thought it. And once I faxed over the form making you guardian should anything happen to them, she totally changed tone. She is now completely uncurious."
"Thank you so much Col."
"She agreed to do the registration on the spot. Simply take Caroline tomorrow morning. All she'll miss is the first day."
Next morning Grandma and I go into the principal's office.
She looks scared, "I've been giving some thought to Caroline's situation. Everyone else knows each other from kindergarten. Talked with the teacher, worked out a plan. There is only one other Jew in James Bay Elementary, in that same class. Teacher will put them together."
I wonder what a "Jew" is.
Grandma smiles, "thank you so much."
Uneasy smile, "just one thing missing, could you ah prevail upon the Col to fax over the vaccination form from the base?"
We arrive at the classroom a few minutes after they've started.
Teacher smiles ingratiatingly, "good morning Caroline."
"Good morning ma'am."
"Class, this is Caroline, come to join us after a last minute move. Come take this desk next to Elaine."
And then they resume attacking the alphabet.
It's recess time my education starts for real.