To my first agent, then husband, Timothy Seldes, always true to his word, who stayed as long as he possibly could.
To my family, to whom I am always grateful but never more than with this novel—to my life coaches: the kids: Theo, Noah, Isaak, Henry, Julian, Padget, Eliza, Aden, Elodie, and Isla.
To my agent, Gail Hochman; my editor, Jill Bialosky; her assistant, Drew Weitman; and all the team at W. W. Norton.
I am grateful to Yaddo for time to work, two visits during the writing of this novel. To George Mason University and the many Mason students who have enriched my life.