I would like to thank my agent, Cheryl Pientka at Jill Grinberg Literary Management, whose enthusiasm for this project—even as a wisp of an idea—gave me the push to make it real. Also to Sarah Weston, for her instrumental comments and suggestions.
Thank you to the good people at the Feminist Press, including Jamia Wilson, Suki Boynton, Drew Stevens, Jisu Kim, Hannah Goodwin, Lucia Brown, Lauren Hook, and Sophia Magnone. To Jennifer Baumgardner, who saw the value in my story, worked with me to find the parts of it that needed telling, and helped me to muster the might to get them on the page. And to Alyea Canada, who lovingly helped me carry the book through to the finish.
Heather Toupin, Elana Wetzner, Dan Boucher, Steven Lloyd, Cassie Tharinger, Liz Lee, Julie Shore, Jacob Berendes, Kate Schapira, Jori Ketten, Tom Roach, Deb Wood, Chrissy Wolpert, Seth Manchester, Mandy McCorkle, Anja Lademann, James Quigley, Brian Simmons, Hilary Treadwell, Bernadette Baker-Baughman, Karen Pace, Frank and Cathy Lifrieri: thank you for offering support, curiosity, and ideas during this process.
To Nick Gomez-Hall, who left the world during the writing of this book: your light will inspire me always.
Thank you to 186 Carpenter, the Providence Athenaeum, and the Providence Public Library for giving me places to work that are not my kitchen table.
Thank you to all the human beings who have lived at PennHenge during my time. The house and I have our failings, but I hope (most of) you would agree it’s not a bad place to make your bed. You have never sought to curb my expression of the experience for this book. Years from now, I’ll still be thinking of ways in which you made me better, stronger.
All the landladies everywhere, and especially my Providence crew, who have helped me get by: Adrienne, Sarah, Cynthia, Reba, SueEllen.
To my plumber, Anne Flores, who does her job with integrity and care; thank you.
RIP Buster, feline guru of PennHenge.
To my dog Runi: you are the best partner for neighborhood explorations.
And thanks to my husband, Dave, whose footfalls to the third floor are the most welcome of sounds.