Take My Hand(99)

Not everyone is lucky enough to work with the same literary agent for fifteen years. I have been one of those fortunate authors who has found not only an agent, but a lifelong friend, sister, and creative muse in Stephanie Cabot of Susanna Lea Associates.

This book would not have been written without the kind generosity of Joseph Levin Jr. and Jessie Bly. The two of you shared with me all that you remembered, and I am grateful. I have taken liberties with the story, of course, as any good novelist would do, but your answers to my questions opened my eyes to the seriousness of this moment. You are two of the most special people I have ever met.

Thank you to the Southern Poverty Law Center for taking on this case, and so many others over the years that were instrumental in righting the injustices of our nation.

With utmost respect, I want to acknowledge the entire Relf family, especially Minnie Lee and Mary Alice Relf. May God continue to bless you.

I asked endless legal questions of lawyer friends, though I deserve the blame for any mistakes: Kathy Smith, Milton Brown, Rashida LaLande, Tasha Hutchins, Tracy Colden, Jessica Waters, David Valdez. Thanks to Nyoka Beede for the constant support over the years. Thanks to Sharony Green for sharing some of the history of Alabama and always teaching my books. Thanks to Regina Freer for being my intellectual sounding board. Terry McMillan’s generous spirit is as wide and deep as an ocean. The first readers of my earliest rough drafts were Sarah Braunstein and Sarah Trembath. It does not seem coincidental to me that two brilliant Sarahs were instrumental in helping me figure out what story I was trying to tell. This finished book probably looks very different from the manuscripts you saw, and that is largely because you helped me figure out my vision. I have turned repeatedly to these writers for inspiration and sustenance over the past few years: Tina McElroy Ansa, Naomi Jackson, Lauren Francis-Sharma, Marita Golden, Lalita Tademy.

Special shout-out to the late Randall Kenan, who, years ago, urged me to write about Black class dynamics in the South. I miss you, Randall.

Dorothy E. Roberts, author of Killing the Black Body, has been a pivotal voice in the history of scholarship on reproductive justice. I am indebted to her work and that of so many others.

I am truly grateful for my friends, allies, colleagues, and students in the Department of Literature at American University, who are the most collegial and supportive community I have ever experienced in academia. Thank you to the Rowland Writers Retreat—and Pleasant Rowland—for providing a cozy bed, a spectacular view, and unlimited tea while I worked on this manuscript.

I do not exaggerate when I say Berkley Books is a dream team: Ivan Held, Claire Zion, Craig Burke, Jessica Plummer, Lauren Bernstein, Sareer Khader, Jeanne-Marie Hudson, Jin Yu, Dache’ Rogers, and Elisha Katz. And, of course, I have to give a very special thanks to my editor, Amanda Bergeron, for believing in me and this book and this story. I love working with you, Amanda.

Finally, I want to thank my family: my mom, Barbara, who was my first fan and supporter; my beloved late daddy, who encouraged my life of the mind; my brother, Harry, who always has my back; my brother-in-law, Roscoe, who is steady and loyal. And to my sweet sister, Jeanna: You are my forever angel, my forever love, my forever best friend, and I miss you. A whole host of Jones family members—nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins—keep me grounded in rich Memphis soil. My Aparicio family in Los Angeles feeds my soul. Words cannot express my gratitude to my husband and partner for life, David, who patiently listens to every frustration, every story idea, every roadblock, every triumph. You are my rock. Samanta, Monica, Ana, and Paty: Thank you for watching over my girls. Speaking of my girls, Elena and Emilia, I hope you will carry this story in your hearts. This is your lineage, too.