I Know You Remember

by Jennifer Donaldson

  Get up. Brush teeth. Brush hair. Get dressed. Meds.

  And then, one day, I figure out the precise place in my cheek to tuck the pill so the nurse doesn’t find it.

  It takes a little while for the drugs to leave my system. I’m still foggy. I’m still clumsy. But soon, I’m clear-headed again. I look around at the other women in my unit—most of them are much older than me. Most of them don’t even read. There’s no one I care to talk to.

  Until one day.

  The girl is about my age. Her head’s shaved and she’s got tattoos all over her arms, flowers and bees and birds. I see her reading in the library. A book I’ve read a dozen times, with a dozen small dragons circling the cover.

  That’s one of my favorites, I say.

  The girl’s eyes, dark as pitch, glance over the top of the book and meet mine. A thief, I think. The girl could be a thief, a rogue, stealthy and sharp. Or maybe an assassin.

  Yeah, the girl finally says. I like dragons. There’s something almost shy in her voice. She hesitates for a moment, then adds, Want to see my drawings?

  And I just smile.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Once again, I owe enormous thanks to Lanie Davis at Alloy Entertainment, for her unwavering confidence and enthusiasm, and to the rest of the Alloy crew, especially Josh Bank, Jocelyn Davies, and Sara Shandler. Over at Razorbill, Julie Rosenberg’s keen eye helped hone my voice throughout the process, with the utmost care for what made the story strange and special. Thanks as well to Jennifer Dee and Casey McIntyre, for putting this out in the world; to Kristie Radwilowicz, for finding the perfect design for the cover; and for Marinda Valenti, for the fine-toothed comb.

  I am extremely grateful to Erik Carlson, Pamela Harris, and Vera Starbard, for the generosity and patience they showed in helping me find ways to respectfully represent their communities and to highlight the diversity of east Anchorage.

  I usually keep acknowledgments vague because I’m terrified of forgetting someone—but this time, I really do have to thank my Anchorage friends and family past and present. Big love to Zac Graham, for teaching me a little about caribou hunting. Particular thanks are also due David Hart, for plotting out Ruthie’s bike path, and to the rest of the Harts as well—Karen, Sarah, and Leah—for providing a place to laugh uproariously for twenty-plus years. Others who shared their own stories, helped jog my memories, or clarified details include: Mischa Carlson, Rayna Fritcher, Saro Hinson, Ambre Johnson McCormick, Melody Metcalf, Kristin Osgood, Misty Ott, Lesley Packel, Joee Patterson, Denise Sage, Corrie Whitmore, and Ashley Wilcox.

  Last but not least, a big thank-you to the people who’ve given me support and sustenance over the course of this book, particularly Deidra Black, Susan and David Donaldson, Jennifer and Vu Gandin Le, Cara Hallowell, Will Johnson, Izetta Irwin, Patrick Ryan Frank, and Gareth White.

  And of course, the biggest love to Matt: fight choreographer, A/V consultant, and bear wrangler.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jennifer Donaldson graduated from Reed College and received her MFA from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also the author of Lies You Never Told Me. Jennifer currently lives in Austin with her family.

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