Original Love

  And while I may be too acidic at times in my attitude toward Long Island, let me say this: I wouldn’t be who I am or what I’m about without my years on that stretch of the melting pot in Huntington, at 71 Preston Street, just up the winding trail in the woods from Huntington Bay.

  First and foremost, I’d like to thank my wife, Amy, for inspiring me daily, editing all my mistakes before my editor sees them, and lending her ideas to Ebony’s “half” of Peter’s novel. And I’d like to thank my two boys, Joshua and Jontae. I hope I can give you two a “boy’s life” full of adventures.

  Thanks also to the following authors for inspiring me: Latorial Faison for her poem “Original Love,” the spark that reignited this book when my creative fires were almost extinguished by the events of September 11; Brian Egeston for telling me to “Just write, man”; and Pat G’Orge-Walker for lifting up my spirits when they were down.

  I’d like especially to thank Carolyn Hasler and the other good folks at the Huntington Public Library for their wonderful assistance and patience with my many questions covering the last twenty-five years.

  Mad shout-outs go to Marquia Rivera, Linda Moyer, Douglas Poindexter, and Sheree Davis for letting me get to know the real Ballyhack, Virginia. Much respect is due the Sunday dinner crew—Nicole Page, Victor and Angie Roberts, Terra Cunningham, and Shelby Poindexter—for giving me so much to write about!

  Special thanks go to Darrell Nicholson, associate editor of Cruising World Magazine, for his sailing expertise and permission to use his boat Tosca as the model for the Argo—mysterious creak and all; John Schultz, president of the Veteran’s Association of the USS Iowa, and the Naval Historical Center for their help with the Captain’s “other” boat, “the Mighty I,” and the true story of Ensign Marcus Minor of St. Joseph, Missouri; the editors and writers at LIHistory.com and LIGenealogy.com for fascinating, top-notch treasure troves of information; and artist Laszlo Tar for bringing back ancient memories of Huntington Bay and Hecksher Park with his haunting and mesmerizing watercolors.

  And finally, my undying gratitude to Stevie Wonder for Songs in the Key of Life—I couldn’t have made it through puberty without that album.

  KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  850 Third Avenue

  New York, NY 10022

  Copyright © 2005 by J.J. Murray

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

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  ISBN: 0-7582-3611-5