This Is Not How It Ends(97)

“What do you think?” Ben said.

The painting was Ben. He was on his knees in front of the house. Ben was asking me to marry him.

“Say yes, Charley!” Jimmy shouted. It was the most natural thing in the world. It was hardly a question.

I squinted, moving closer toward the masterpiece Jimmy had created. The house had a name, the sign hung from the banister. Sea Forever.

My gaze traveled from Ben to Sari’s parents. They were smiling, nodding their approval.

“Yes! Yes, to all of you!” And the three of us hugged each other hard, and our guests joined in, and when it was just the two of us again, I found Ben’s ear and whispered, “Anything not to have to cook.”

That was when I saw the butterfly. It flapped its beautiful orange wings across our table, fluttering and twirling around us to let its presence be known. And I knew in my heart the butterfly was here to tell me it was okay. It was approval and love and protection. It was Sari and Philip and my beautiful mother saying it was time to love again. It’s okay, Charley. Go on. This is about life. This is about living.



We married on an October day, surrounded by the same group of friends and family. A week later, I found out I was pregnant. With twins. By May, we gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and a lovely baby girl.

The girl, we named her Scarlet. After Sari.

And our little boy, we named him Philip.





AUTHOR’S NOTE

Through writing, I attempt to weave relevant, topical subjects around emotionally charged stories. I was introduced to NAET therapy by a reliable friend who boasted of positive results. Intrigued, I created a character who shined a light on Eastern medicine’s approach to allergy treatment. There is an abundance of literature on this subject, and before undergoing any treatment, patients should speak with health care professionals and educate themselves on the benefits and risks to ensure the best possible treatment for their individual needs.





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It’s easy to write about something you believe in, and for that reason, this story of love and friendship poured out of me. But it takes a village to turn that story into something worthwhile, and I’m grateful for those who provided their valuable time and expertise to me.

First and foremost, thank you to my agent, Kim Lionetti, for believing in this manuscript and reminding me often why I write. While publishing can be a challenging business at times, you have more than once talked me off a ledge and provided the unwavering support to keep me focused and on track. I am ever so grateful.

Thank you to the amazing team at Lake Union Publishing with sincere gratitude to Danielle Marshall for welcoming me into the family. Alicia Clancy, I’ve so enjoyed working with you and having your continuous support and enthusiasm. We couldn’t do any of it without you, Gabriella Dumpit, and a special thanks to the editing team: Nicole Pomeroy, Brittany Dowdle, and Michael Schuler. Tiffany Yates Martin, I hear your voice in my ear with each edit. Your gift is the one that keeps on giving. Many thanks to publicist extraordinaire Ann-Marie Nieves and marketing wonder M. J. Rose for the infinite wisdom.

My deepest appreciation to the reading and writing community—the bloggers, readers, bookstagrammers, and book clubs who have invited me into their world. Every connection has mattered, every introduction one I cherish. There have been days I have been truly blown away by your support, and not merely for me, but for authors everywhere. You sustain us, nurture us—and because of you we thrive.

Thank you to Don Blackwell, Camille Di Maio, Rebecca Warner, and the #BocaBitches: Andrea Katz, Lauren Margolin, Jamie Brenner, and Lisa Barr—for being a constant source of comfort, strength, and friendship. Lonely is a writer’s life, but I don’t feel that way knowing you.

Thank you to Debbie and Craig Perry for welcoming me into your Islamorada home and sharing its special treasures with me. The Love Shack exists! Leslie Fergang and Carly Rachman, thank you for the in-depth exploration of NAET therapy. Dr. Ron Berger, for the late-night phone calls about a disease that destroys too many families. Dr. David Weinstein, for your medical expertise. Jessica Shepherd, Audra Leigh, Stacey Fisher, and Kathleen Basi, for the glimpse inside Kansas City life.

While the novel details two unfortunate losses, research is being done to fight pancreatic cancer, and I thank all the individuals devoting their lives to finding a cure. If you or someone you love has been touched by this cancer, I hope you will consider donating to www.pancan.org, www.lustgarten.org, or www.npcf.us.

It’s difficult to single out a few friends for their unending support when so many have been by my side, holding my hand (and heart) while I plod through manuscripts and perform surgery on various drafts. But I must thank those who have shown up to multiple events and smiled while I discussed the same book over and over. I’d be remiss in not singling you out, Barbara Amoils, Jill Coleman, Liz Feder, Joni Meiselman, Stephanie Oshinsky, Merle Saferstein, and Amy Siskind. Evelyn Moskovitz, I know if I had a fan club, you’d be the president, and when I say I’m grateful, I mean it more than any words can express.

Thank you to my entire family for providing support and fodder, for giving me reason to write and the ability to explore the beautiful, fragile dynamics we create.

I’ve been blessed with three amazing siblings (and their spouses and kids) who give me the courage to continue putting myself out there. Thank you for believing in me, and loving me through the long, nostalgic lens that only siblings understand.