Aiden nodded, never taking his eyes off me. And then he said, “Hey, Dad, is that your phone?”
In the distance I heard ringing, and Faraday patted his pockets and said, “Must’ve left it inside. Excuse me.”
He took off and then Aiden and I were alone. “So you’re the famous Maddie Fynn?” he said.
I felt a giggle burble up from inside me, and I was helpless to keep it down. “I don’t think I’m famous,” I told him.
Aiden’s brow shot up. “No? Well, my dad says you’re amazing, and he’s usually right about stuff like that.”
The heat to my cheeks got hotter.
Aiden dribbled the basketball, and then he seemed to think of something. “Is it really true that you can tell when people are gonna die?”
That threw me, but Aiden had a smile and a kindness in his eyes that I thought I could trust. “Yeah,” I said. “It’s true.”
He cocked his head. “Even mine?”
I swallowed hard. “Yes.”
Aiden pursed his lips, looking at me with playful fascination. “Would you tell me?”
I started to shake my head, but he tucked the ball under his arm and put his hands together. “Please? I can take it. I promise.”
I started to laugh and then I almost couldn’t stop. “What?” he asked, but he still had that playful smile.
I took a deep breath and let it out. I felt in my heart that I could tell him. “Your deathdate is July sixth, twenty eighty-four.” And then I grinned so big I had to look away.
“What?” he asked again, knowing there was more.
I lifted my chin to look at him again. There was a secret I’d kept to myself about Aiden’s deathdate and why it’d felt like magic when I’d first seen the beautiful boy with 7-6-2084 on his forehead. “What?” he repeated with a chuckle, trying to coax it out of me.
“It’s the day after mine,” I confessed.
Aiden’s expression changed from playful to something a little more awestruck. “Think we’ll still know each other in twenty eighty-four?” he asked, his smile growing as big as mine.
I felt light as air. Somewhere deep inside I also felt a knowing so strong that I couldn’t quite describe it. Still, I only shrugged and said, “Maybe.”
Just then a soft breeze came sweetly up the drive, lifting that halo of soft curls around Aiden’s forehead, and in a magical instant, I saw a series of other numbers dance across his skin. They appeared in the space between us as if they were as much for me as they were for him. Behind each new date was a glimmer of insight. There were dates for movies and dances and graduations and marriage and children and anniversaries and so much more.
And in that enchanted moment, as I watched the dates skipping lightly across Aiden’s forehead, instead of death, all I saw was…
Life.
THE BEGINNING OF EACH NEW book always feels like a new mountain to climb, but in many ways this novel was my Everest. And yet, I wouldn’t trade any moment of the climb, because it has truly provided some spectacular views.
These days, however, I will freely admit to preferring to hang out at base camp and enjoy the hot cocoa, and it’s while I’m slurping away some chocolatey goodness, all cozy in my writer’s tent, that I can now reflect on the many people who’ve provided no small measure of support, effort, and encouragement on the way to the summit.
First, I want to thank Jim McCarthy, whose short title is: “Victoria’s agent,” but who really is: “Victoria’s muse/confidant/supporter/counselor/conscience/financial advisor/life coach/ally/conspirator/humorous sidekick/treasured friend.” This book would never have been written if it weren’t for Jim’s unflinching belief in me, and his unwavering support. And also maaaaaaaaybe a weeeeeeeee bit of his patience, which, thank God, he is in no short supply of. Thank you, Jim. Always and all ways.
Next I’d like to thank my fantabulous editor, Lisa Yoskowitz, who wrote the most beautiful love letter to Jim and I when she was looking to acquire the book, listing all the ways Maddie’s story moved her and why she’d be the perfect fit to edit When. She had me completely sold three lines in, and she’s since proven herself to be one of the most dedicated, hard-working, insightful editors I’ve ever had the sincere pleasure to work with. Definitely the perfect editor for the job! I’m so thrilled and pleased to have you in my corner, Lisa. Thank you for all that effort and dedication and especially for your diehard enthusiasm! You’ve been my Sherpa and I’m so oodley grateful for all that you do, and of course, to be a part of the amazing Hyperion team!
I’d also like to thank the cover artist Tyler Nevins for his incredible vision. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect cover, Tyler. You took my breath away when I saw the direction you were headed in, and without a doubt this is one of my all-time favorite covers of any book I’ve ever written. I’m smitten, I tell you! SMITTEN!