Today, on the streets of Istanbul, J randomly ran into some friends from Ottawa, in town with their parents. So we took the girls out, showed them a good time, then dutifully chauffeured them back to their hotel, where Father and Mother were waiting (because, of course, they're in a dangerous foreign country).

I was a bit surprised to find the parents outside at a cafe at the receiving end, and was even more surprised to find that the father displayed the unmistakable lightheartedness of one who has enjoyed a few Rakı. A solid sportsman, one who seemed like the right sort of fellow when away from the old ball and chain, so when he asked, I cheerfully handed him my card.

"So, " intones The Father, examining my business card, "you're Dr. Diamond's son, are you?"

"Actually, in this part of the world, they ask him if he is Sunset's father. . . "

Amazıng, after all these years, people still ask me the same old stuff.