Foreclosure: A Novel (39 page)

“Something I always wanted to tell you about that.”

“And what’s that?”

“I let you be first.”

She smacked his shoulder, right where the gaff had pierced him and torn off flesh. “I call bullshit on that.”

He cringed from the pain, but he knew he deserved it. And he wouldn’t admit it, at least not yet, but he knew she was right too. So he listened to her laugh, the sweetest laugh in the world; it was music to his ears. “You mind if I turn on the radio?” he asked.

She turned it on for him. Another chill as he recognized the song: Stevie Ray Vaughan singing the chorus to “Pride and Joy.”

“Is this your CD?” he asked.

She shrugged and laughed. “For some reason, I’ve listened to this CD since law school.” She sang along.

Yeah I love my baby, my heart and soul.

Love like ours won’t never grow old.

He sang the next line with her:

She’s my sweet little thing, she’s my pride and joy.

She’s my sweet little baby, I’m her little lover boy.

She turned the volume down a notch. “What do you say we go back to your place?”

He turned it all the way down. “And?”

She bit her lip. “And—” she drew it out, just to make him wait. “You play your guitar for me. I haven’t heard that in a while.”

He gripped her hand. He knew exactly what he’d play.

Acknowledgments

I dedicated this book to my parents and my wife, and I’d be remiss not to mention them here again. Mom and dad, you were saints to raise me, especially during my teen years. Thanks for giving me the leeway to both fail and succeed, and to learn from the experience one way or the other.

My wife and daughter have shown me so much love and understanding, even when our often-sparse time together was cut even shorter due to my reading and writing. I’m sorry for all the times it seemed I wasn’t paying attention. Please know that you’re always at the center of my world, and please forgive me when I don’t express that adequately.

I’m fortunate to have a younger brother who in many ways has long been like an older brother to me. Hey Brother! Thanks for the countless hours of listening to my ideas and reading my drafts and always providing honest and direct feedback.

I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Jen Blood on this project. She went far beyond what I would have expected from a beta reader and copy editor. In so many instances, she pointed out character inconsistencies I’d missed, showed me how to articulate better what I was trying to say, and truly helped me to write the book I wanted to write. Thanks also to Diana Cox for her proofreading service, and Catherine Skinner for her professional beta reading service.

I owe a tremendous thanks to the Estate of Stevie Ray Vaughan for granting permission to quote lyrics from “Cold Shot” and “Pride and Joy” in this novel. This story would be lacking without those lines from the late genius. He will forever be missed.

Thanks to Jason C for his helpful comments on an early draft of this novel that guided my revisions and helped me to develop my protagonist. Thanks, too, for introducing me to Ian Rankin.

I’ve had numerous teachers and friends over the years who’ve provided comments on this book or otherwise encouraged and inspired my writing, including Dr. R. Downing, Dr. B. Kershner, Cheryl L, Christy S, Sean C, Lindsay G, Mike R, Matt F, J-Kirb, Zac F, James N, Kate L, Stephanie K, Stephanie C, Lauren R, Freddy F, Kevin and Shawn N, Doug and Suzi H, Laura W, Heather and Jerel T, Brad C, Caroline and Cris C, Debi H, Stephen G, and Paul P. I’m sure that I’m forgetting others here who deserve recognition. If you are one of them, feel free to call me out on it, and I promise to buy you a beer and do better next time.

I also wish to thank the judges and lawyers who exemplify honesty and integrity in a profession that far too often lacks both.
 

Finally, I’d like to offer a shoutout to all the David Friedmans I’ve encountered over the years. Never stop fighting the good fight.

About the Author

S.D. Thames lives in Tampa, Florida, where he practices law under his legal name. Sign up for his newsletter
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Copyright © 2015 by S.D. Thames. All rights reserved. This book or any portion of it may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the fair use of brief quotations.

Lyrics from “Cold Shot” and “Pride and Joy” reprinted with permission of the Estate of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, incidents and events either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.