Neverworld Wake(79)

I held out the album, and he took it, turning it over. He put those thick glasses away and took out reading glasses, placing them on the end of his nose.

“Ah.” He glanced up in surprise. “You dedicated it to Martha?”

I nodded.

“?‘To Martha. Who saw me and still believed.’ How about that.” He smiled at me, pointing toward reception. “You know, I got her posters up in the waiting room. She always had a vision of the world that lay beyond. Even when she was little. Nothing much scared Martha.”

I let him show me her things, drawings she’d made as a child, a collection of paintings featuring an owl with purple feathers, blueprints of a winged invention she’d made. He showed me the work of Martha’s older sister too, a girl named Jenny who had painted incredible canvases of oceans, hiding entire ink kingdoms and words inside the waves.

“Everything is on loan to us,” he said, wiping tears from his eyes. “Even our children.”

He offered me a root beer, but I refused, explaining that I had to go.

“Maybe I’ll come back sometime,” I said.

“Well, sure. You’re always welcome.”

I left him staring after me, turning the album over in his hands, doubtlessly sensing there was much more I hadn’t told him.

Then I was on the bus, staring out the window at the darkened sky. At one point I saw a streak of orange light along the horizon, but it was only the track lights on the ceiling of the bus. The shimmering leaves of the passing branches seemed somehow electric and alive, more than usual, and though I wanted to believe it was some hidden world opening up for me again, I sat back against the seat and told myself the truth.

This time it was just the wind.


—


I’d like to thank my editor, Beverly Horowitz, for shepherding me through my first adventure into the world of young adult books. From our first conversation three years ago through the many drafts, her wisdom, humor, and awake-all-night meticulousness were an education and an inspiration. I am also deeply indebted to my agent and friend, Binky Urban, for following me into uncharted territory, always providing unerring advice and insight.

I am especially grateful to the many creative thinkers at Delacorte Press who worked tirelessly on this book’s behalf, especially Noreen Herits, John Adamo, Colleen Fellingham, Alison Kolani, Tamar Schwartz, and Rebecca Gudelis. Thanks also to Kate Medina and the team at Penguin Random House, whose commitment to writers and readers, no matter the trend, never fails to awe.

I would like to thank Felicity Blunt, Roxane Eduard, and Mairi Friesen-Escandell for introducing this book to readers abroad; Ron Bernstein for his film rights expertise; Brenda Cronin, Seth Rabinowitz, and Nicole Caruso, confidants and sounding boards; and Anne Pessl, first-draft champion, seer of all blind spots, and wonder-mom.

Most especially I wish to thank to my three Fates, David, Winter, and Avalon, whose vision of the world and reverence for all stories, great and small, are my daily joy.

Finally, I would like to thank every young reader who has ever approached me at a bookstore. It was you who whose passion for characters who empower and overcome inspired me to write this story.