To my sage readers, for their invaluable feedback: novelist Lorena Hughes, Eden Walker, Ellen Roberts, Elspeth Kramer, Bernadette Bridges, and Katy Garrabrant. A special thanks to my sister, Ellen Weinstat, always my first reader and cheerleader, and to my niece, Rachel “Clownfish” Bosamonte, for the inspiration.
Finally, I am also forever grateful to my guys, Shane, Kai, and Jerome Miller, for their love, patience, and companionship through the great adventure.
And to “Saint Mark’s” and the “Harlem Circuit” for saving me.