I owe a particular debt to Dr. James C. M. Brust, M.D., who could always be counted upon for answers, no matter how strange the question. Binnie Kirshenbaum, Nicholas Christopher, Lauren Grodstein, and Gordon Haber read this book in its nascent stages and told me to keep going. Emily Gohn lived with me through the first six drafts and is still my best friend; Owen King lived with me through the last three and will always be my superhero. Al Sanfilippo, Marvin Frankel, and Nicolaus Mills were lampposts along the way. And, of course, the incomparable Julie Barer and Elaine Pfefferblit helped the story inside my head find its way more fully to the page. Without their faith, talent, and hard work, this book might still exist—but it wouldn’t be nearly as good.
Finally, with much love and gratitude, I would like to thank my family, especially Esther Long and Mary Lou Roe. And, of course, my endless appreciation goes to my mother, Theresa Braffet, whose hands are always full of books, and my father, Jim Braffet, whose head is always full of stories. All of this is yours.