Huffing out a sheepish laugh, I admitted, "A year ago. I was looking for a Hanukkah gift, but somehow left the shop with that."

I smiled fondly at the memory. "The girl behind the counter was very patient with me."

And afterward, I'd tucked it away and tried not to think about it— my own version of running away from those things I didn't want to face. I'd thought I was past all that, but old habits really were hard to shake.