A love unlike any other, but it's not what you think.

A woman recalls her first love in early 1960s Brooklyn. The only child of a hard-working immigrant couple, Masha ricochets between Mama's strict discipline and Papa's unconditional love and protection. She adores Papa, who shields her from real and imagined threats-and occasionally from Mama-as he gently guides her through the triumphs and troubles of kid-dom. Papa is the only one privy to Masha's innermost thoughts, feelings, fears, and secrets, and is the rudder that gently guides her through the sometimes choppy waters of her young life.

Through his stories and by example, Papa tenderly nurtures Masha into becoming a self-assured girl who packs a great right jab and knows that no obstacle is too great for her to overcome. Masha's self-confidence cocoon, though, depends heavily on the strength and permanence of Papa's support and backing, something she takes for granted and assumes always will be true . . .

. . . until Masha's best and worst day collide on the same date and transform her life forever.