Kenechukwu Adichie, “baby” brother and best friend, draft reader and story mailer—for sharing each early “no,” for making me laugh.
Tokunbo Oremule, Chisom and Amaka Sony-Afoekelu, Chinedum Adichie, Kamsiyonna Adichie, Arinze Maduka, Ijeoma and Obinna Maduka, Uche and Sony Afoekelu, Chukwunwike and Tinuke Adichie, Okechukwu Adichie, Nneka Adichie Okeke, Bee and Wasp, all the Odigwes, all the Adichies—for being my pillars, for propping me up. Uju Egonu and Urenna Egonu, sisters more than friends—for proving that water can be just as thick as blood; for getting it, always.
Charles Methot—for being so solidly there.
Ada Echetebu, Binyavanga Wainaina, Arinze Ufoeze, Austin Nwosu, Ikechukwu Okorie, Carolyn DeChristopher, Nnake Nweke, Amaechi Awurum, Ebele Nwala—for beating my drums.
Antonia Fusco—for editing so wisely and so warmly, for that phone call that nearly had me doing cartwheels.
Djana Pearson Morris, my agent—for believing.
The people and spirit of Stonecoast Writers’ Conference, Summer 2001—for that loud ovation, complete with whistles.
Friends all—for pretending to understand when I did not return phone calls.
Thank you. Dalu nu.