I am extremely lucky in both friends and professionals, many of whom I am fortunate enough to claim as both. I am deeply grateful to my literary agent, Gail Hochman, for the innumerable ways in which she has supported me in both my life and my work. Thank you to my film agent, Amy Schiffman, who was there from the very beginning. Thanks to David Fox, a lawyer with unfailing good sense. Many thanks to everyone at William Morrow/HarperCollins: specifically, Carolyn Marino, my editor, who made this experience so painless and positive, and Jennifer Civiletto, whose attention to the brass tacks of the process was invaluable.
To those who were willing to read early drafts and give emotional support, I give thanks: Jeff Steinberg, Jonathan Bates, and Carole Merritt. Thanks to Myra Morris for listening to me kvetch. I also want to thank my writers’ group: Buffy Shutt, Susan Cartsonis, B. J. Robbins, and Denise Stewart.
I am very grateful to Elinor Lipman for her generosity of spirit and for both emotional and technical support. And thanks to Sally Brady, mentor and teacher. Also to Laura Rappaport, who got me to finish.
And to my family, who are nothing like the Fortunes—thank God. My mother, Barbara Horowitz, my sister, Wendy Ribeiro, and her family, Jeff, Kimberly, and Ricky.
Lastly, I’d like to thank Leo Kelley, who has changed my life and makes sure I enjoy it.