Stacey Barney, my editor at Putnam, whipped this book into some serious shape, and I am enormously thankful for her careful edits. Her savvy insights and vocal encouragement through the process made all the difference.
My family—both the Zielins and the Hesses—always have the words “go for it” on their lips, and I’m grateful for the unflagging support.
Finally, thank you to my husband, Robert Hess, who revolutionized my literary life by encouraging me to write about the things I’d buried—and carried—for years without ever realizing they were interesting. Through him I found the courage to finally, really, honestly put pen to paper.