Acknowledgments

I want to say thanks to Judi Tepe, my best friend, for her love, support, and encouragement all the years of our friendship (most of our lives). To all my “readers” over the years: many thanks for your thoughtful comments to Debby Keim, Barbara Hill, Jan Lewis, Teresa Borden, and especially Karen Gillis (oh man, I hope I haven’t forgotten someone), and all the people in my various writing workshops whose names I don’t remember but whose feedback was invaluable.

I have to acknowledge my favorite writers, even though you don’t know who you are, because you’ve kept me entertained and inspired, you’ve struck me dumb with awe of your talent, and you’ve encouraged me to write without even knowing it. And to Mrs. Allen in third grade at Fulton School, who read my first short story aloud to the class and gave me an A+.

Many thanks to my editor, Brenda Copeland, who got me and the story I was telling, and to my copy editor, Sara Sarver, who saved me from certain embarrassment.

Thanks to my cousin Len for being inordinately proud of me, and thanks to Dave for inspiring this story.

And most of all, thanks to you, my readers.