The author, Anatoly Bezkorovainy, at the age of 80, reflects on the fading of his memories and decides to write a story about his life and his wife, aiming to preserve their history for future generations. He laments the common fate of diaries being lost after his wife, Marilyn, passed away and believes that a written or printed record of his love affair and marriage will endure.

He also shares a brief biography of a colleague, Dr. X, who had a promising career as a biochemist but derailed it due to a love affair and frequent job changes. The author contrasts Dr. X's career trajectory with his own and considers how things might have been different. He muses on the challenges faced by immigrants, particularly those with non-standard accents, in America, and expresses gratitude for his own life and good health, while mourning the loss of his wife. The author's story blends personal reflection, recollections of colleagues, and thoughts on life's twists and turns.