Bottom Feeders

by John Shepphird

  “Hey, Eddie,” she said, “It’s me, Sheila.” She squeezed even harder, thought she felt a response, some movement there but wasn’t sure. She hoped so. “I really need you, Eddie, so hang on, buddy,” Sheila said, tears wetting her eyes, hoping he could hear. “All of us bottom feeders … we need to stick together.”

  Sheila studied the color of his skin.

  Sheila would be there for him. She wouldn’t let this life slip away.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I owe a debt of gratitude to many who have played a role in bringing this book to life.

  Thanks to the incredibly talented editor Peggy Hageman and everyone at Blackstone Publishing including Rick Bleiweiss, Josh Stanton, Josie McKenzie, Lauren Maturo, Megan Wahrenbrock, and Kathryn G. English, who designed an awesome book cover.

  Big thanks to my agent Peter Rubie of FinePrint Literary Management.

  A nod to early readers including Paul Marashlian and my writers group, known as the Oxnardians, especially Jonathan Beggs, who encouraged me to write from experience.

  A big thanks to my film & TV collaborators from over the years, including Steve Jankowski, Neal Brown, Lawrence Maddox, Robert Eber, Brent White, Steven M. Blasini, Jason Zimmerman, and Sonny Carl Davis.

  My deepest, heartfelt thanks to my wife and sounding board, Jennifer, for all of her love, support, and encouragement.