Without Annette
Page 26
“Will you come to the studio with me when we get back?” Roxanne asked. “I want you to help me paint new paper for my next project. It’s going to be all green.”
I stopped in my tracks. “Let me guess.”
“Yup,” she said. “A jungle.” She sighed. “It’s too bad I can’t install it in the jungle.”
I thumped the box under my arm lightly. “And too bad we’re not keeping this thing,” I said. “We could use it as decoration. Hang it right from the center of the room.”
She grimaced. “Grisly.”
“And yet, weirdly appropriate.”
She nodded. “After we paint, I was thinking we should go up to the fields and watch the soccer game.” She pulled her coat collar up around her neck. “Just to check it out.”
My head swiveled toward her. “Did something happen with Hank?”
The corners of Roxanne’s lips rose in a tiny smile, but she shook her head. “Let’s just say that being near him no longer makes me want to punch him in the stomach.”
“Well, that’s a start,” I agreed with a laugh. And, I realized, I had similar feelings about Penn. I was still upset with him but could already feel my anger starting to lift. I didn’t have to carry all that mad around—I could choose to let it go. And though Annette had ripped out half my heart and taken it back to Virginia Falls, it was clear that I was going to survive, that I was choosing to stay at Brookwood and move forward right along with everyone else. Not because I was trapped in the petri dish, but because I had decided that right here was where I wanted to be … even, unbelievably, without Annette.
This book was several years in the making, and very definitely wouldn’t exist without:
Judy Blundell, who told me to write a book,
David Levithan, who told me I should definitely write this book,
Anica Rissi, who told me she knew I could write this book,
Sarah Stephens, who propped me up when I was sure I couldn’t write this book,
and Hilary Zaid, who gave me a place at her table and proved an invaluable sounding board while writing, and rewriting, much of this book.
I am indebted to countless people who make my life rich and whole. I’d like to thank Josh Adams for saying yes, and for believing in my work, as well as the lovely Lisa Sandell, who understood what I was trying to say, sometimes before I did. My poker playing posse for their plentiful food, drink, humor, and patience. Steve Schieffelin, both a remarkable teacher and a wise soul who provided insight into many things boarding school, literature, and life. Olivia Prud’homme—I would not have survived boarding school without you. Richard Bassett, who always knew which questions to ask and when to laugh heartily—you are no longer here but your spirit and your voice are as strong as ever. To my mother, Elisabeth Mason, for allowing her children to be their true selves, my siblings Christopher, Elisabeth, Mary, Robert, and especially Emily, who consistently tells me she loves me … even when I am being difficult. And finally, my husband Brian Vaughan and my crazy and wonderful children Nora, Elliot, and Oliver, who put up with having a writer for a wife and mother, make my heart swell and break as only a human heart can, and tether me to the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jane B. Mason lives in Oakland, California, where she spends her time adjusting to her teenage children, open water swimming, and writing. Her most recent titles, written with Sarah Hines Stephens, include A Dog and His Girl Mysteries and the Candy Apple titles The Sister Switch and Snowfall Surprise. Without Annette is Jane’s YA debut.
Copyright © 2016 by Jane B. Mason
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available
First edition, June 2016
Cover art © 2016 by The Heads of State
Cover design by Nina Goffi
e-ISBN 978-0-545-81996-1
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