A LITTLE LITERARY DISCLAIMER

THESE STORIES ARE TRUE—for the most part. I mean, you’re reading my perspective on these true-for-the-most-part stories, and my perspective may differ from other people’s. I think it’s good to remember that. Plus, every once in a while I changed details and names because, well, it seemed like the right thing to do—lest I start some sort of family feud, you understand.

I also changed the names of some towns and altered some locations. Real life happens all over the place, and since I didn’t want you to need a map in order to follow along, I consolidated the action to a few towns that exist only in my imagination. From that perspective, I guess the stories are 90 percent true-ish as opposed to 100 percent absolutely true.

I know. I’m overexplaining. It’s what I do when I’m trying to make sure I’m covering all my storytelling bases.

There’s a chance, I guess, that you’ll find yourself wondering why I don’t chronicle some big family falling-out, why we never seem to argue or disagree or fuss, so let me assure you that we most definitely do all of the above. You know that old Keith Whitley song called “I’m No Stranger to the Rain”? Well, we’re no strangers to the drama. I will say, however, that my grandparents set a high standard in terms of how they expected us to treat each other, so even when we’re aggravated, we’re much more apt to talk about it than to storm out of a room. On top of that, this book is not meant to be An Airing of the Grievances; it’s meant to be a celebration of family.

Consider yourself warned that I may have been prone to some exaggeration and embellishment every once in a while, but that probably goes without saying, since I’m Southern and all.

Don’t roll your eyes, people. It’s in my blood.