“Oh, hell no,” Fifty says.
He is up, tackling Janie Lee to the carpet before she reads the last word. This is the invitation. Everyone piles on. Laughing. We are a love sandwich.
I pry the marker from her nimble fingers and wiggle my way free of the body mountain. While they are still unraveling themselves, Fifty farts, Mash asks if anyone brought Peeps, and Woods tells everyone to “shush or we’ll be found out.” Neither Janie Lee nor Davey moves from the bottom of the pile.
I abscond to the couch with Einstein and write a new goal: WAYS TO BLOW UP EINSTEIN.
Everyone stares bug-eyed at Woods, waiting for a reaction. I have thrown down the gauntlet. His left eyebrow is up in the Canadian border. He smirks. He says, “Five bullet points, McCaffrey, and the marker is yours forever.”
“I could do five bullet points in my sleep,” I taunt.
We all laugh when Brother Scott McCaffrey knocks on the door and tells us, “If you’re going to blow up the board, do it on your own time, and for the love of all that’s holy, not at church.”
Billie McCaffrey, born 1999—d. never. IN LOVING MEMORY: She can’t be contained.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Kelly Sonnack, Rosemary Brosnan, Alyssa Miele—there are no words to adequately express how thankful I am to travel this road with you. As a human, as an author, you make me better. You helped me be brave enough to tell this story.
To the entire team at HarperTeen—especially Bethany Reis, Maya Packard, Olivia Russo, Bess Braswell, Heather Daugherty, and Erin Fitzsimmons—you continue to make my dreams come true. That is no small task. Thank you. Thank you.
Patricia Riley, Maggie Stiefvater, Sarah Batista-Pereira—this book would not exist without your wisdom, investment, and care. Thank you.
David Arnold, Ruta Sepetys, Erica Rodgers, Kristin Tubb, RaeAnn Parker, Paige Crutcher, Lauren Thoman, and Holly Westlund—no author could ask for better critiquers and friends.
It can be a perilous thing to be an author. One of the best safeguards is a great community. Here are some of the people who shepherded my life through the writing of this book: Victoria Schwab, Brenna Yovanoff, my Nashville taco crew, Batcave 2014, Christa Desir, Alina Klein, Sharon Cameron, Kate Dopirak, Joy Hensley, Brooke Buckley, S. R. Johannes, Myra McEntire, Stephanie Appell, Skywalker, Tessa Gratton and Natalie Parker, Julie Murphy, Bethany Hagen, Katie and Leah, Madcap Retreats, Midsouth SCBWI, Parnassus Books, Fannie Flagg (for giving me Idgie when I was a teen), and all the amazing teachers and librarians and booksellers who have been so supportive (especially Julie Stokes and the SEYA crew).
Mom, Dad, Matt, and my whole wonderful family—I love you so much. Thank you for everything. Carla and Christa, you are evergreen. This one was for you.
To the readers—you will always be my better half.