Many people have influenced and helped this novel find its finished form: my editor, Stephanie Gunning, my agent, Beth Vesel, my attorney and friend, Keven Davis, Nancy Rawles, Tina Hoggatt, Lenore Norgaard, and especially my spirit guides, Brenda Peterson, Perry Ulander, and David Sherman.
I am grateful for the support and friendship of Carletta Wilson, Barbara Henderson, Faith Davis, JoAnn Moton, Julia Boyd, Jody Kim, Rick Simonson, and Barbara Thomas; Colleen McElroy and Calyx Books Collective; Blackbird Books; and Red and Black Books Collective.
I’d like to thank my family: Charles Watson, Dorothy and Harold Glass, Alton Sherman, Josh and Kitty Gardner, Erika Sherman, Richard Glass, Michael Glass, and Lois Sherman for being there for my daughters when I could not.
For their patience and love, I am eternally grateful to David, Aisha, and Zahida Sherman.
And for the music: Sweet Honey in the Rock, Esther “Little-dove” John, Miriam Makeba, Bobby McFerrin, SunRa and his Intergalactic Orkestra, and Miles Davis.