“Enjoy Rump Roast one-oh-one,” I say back.
Two hours later, when class is out and we’re on the train heading to Manhattan, I lean my head on Paulie’s shoulder. He smells faintly of herbs. “Are you happy with the way things turned out?”
He looks up from the chart he is studying and down at me. “You mean when I didn’t win the scholarship?”
“Yeah, but I was thinking more about how lucky you were to meet me.”
He pretends to think about it before planting a kiss on the tip of my nose. “I can’t think of a more perfect ending. Or beginning.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing a book often feels like a solitary process to me. Until I sit down to write the acknowledgments, and the list of people I need to thank grows exponentially.
At the top of that list is Britny Brooks-Perilli, editor extraordinaire. Thank you so much for taking a chance on a book that found its way to you via Twitter. #MSWL works! I am so lucky to have you as a partner on this project. You were the perfect combination of taskmaster and cheerleader. But through everything, you never stopped believing in Peyton or me, and I can never thank you enough. If not for you, I am not sure this book would have made it across the finish line.
To Julie Matysik and everyone at Running Press, including Michael and Frances, thank you for all the behind-the-scenes work you did for Whisk. I especially want to thank Mike McConnell, whose eagle eyes made this book so much more than it would have been without him.
When I first learned Whisk was going to get an illustrated cover, I was excited and a bit nervous. But when I saw the sketches by Laura Pacheco, I was smitten! Thank you so much for taking my words and turning them into visual art. It is a dream come true and I will forever be a fan!
Whenever I am overcome with doubt and anxiety about my place in the literary world, I know my amazing agent will be there to push me to be the best version of myself. Thank you, Liza Fleissig, for knowing when and how hard to push me and, more important, for never letting me give up on myself. These words do not do justice to how much of an impact you have had on my life, but they are the best I can do without turning into a bumbling mess. You are so much more than an agent to me. You are my friend, and I am blessed by this.
Over the last several years, I have been so lucky to spend time with librarians and teachers around the state of Indiana. You remind me daily that books and the words that are in them can make a difference in a student’s life. Thank you for sharing my books with your students. I am so humbled by the support you have given me over the years.
While writing Whisk, I was blessed to be a part of an amazing critique group. It’s because of the YA Cannibals that Peyton’s story became a fuller version of the original. Laura Martin, Jody Mugele, Rob Kent, August Mugele, Ed Cho, and my agency sister, Lisa Fipps—thank you for your relentless feedback and your never-ending support. No matter where we go in the future, know that I am always here for each of you and I will shout about all your future success from any mountaintop you choose… but seriously, maybe pick a sledding hill. One where I can drive to the top. We all know, in the zombie apocalypse, I will be one of the first to go because of “cardio.”
While I love all my YAC family equally, I need to call out Shannon Lee Alexander especially. Thank you for always being there when I need a friend to lean on or to vent to or just talk with about being a swim mom. Please know that I am always, always here for you. If you try to run, it will only end in a cage match. And you know I have been planning for that my whole life, so it’s just easier to be my friend.
To Sarah Cannon, Jessica Owens, Annie Sullivan, Gail Werner, Liz Osisek… my MWW friends have become my PAY sisters. I am so grateful for your support, not only in work but in life. While none of us are probably going to be TikTok famous, each of us is on our own journey and I would not want to travel with anyone else! Love you all, and I will chat with you on Friday… or is it Sunday? Someone send a link.
On the first day we met in person, I used you as a human shield to hide behind when I was about to fangirl over a certain author. I never imagined that you would become one of my favorite people in the world. Anna-Marie McLemore, you have inspired me, humbled me, and supported me since before our debuts, and I can never express to you what your friendship means to me. Be kind to yourself and know that you are more than enough.
I have been blessed to find a theater community that was willing to let a novice work the lightboard! To my KidsPlay and Crazy Lakes Acting Company family, I am always inspired by your commitment to the arts and your support of me! I cannot wait until I can dim the lights of the theater with you again!
Erin Vetters… I can’t express enough how much you inspire me! Whenever I got tired of working on this project, I would draw from your strength and perseverance and rest in the idea that there is nothing we can’t overcome to achieve what we want if we’re willing to put in the work! I miss our walkie-talkie banter and look forward to the next production!
To Megan Coffin and Sarah Stutz. Thank you for letting me be your adopted senior mom this year. I know how appreciative you were for all the goodies. As my final gift to you, I wanted to let you know how much it meant for me to get to share in your very weird high school graduation experience. No matter where you go or what you do, I will always be cheering for you. Have faith in yourself and never stop reaching for your dreams. You are both amazing young women, and I am honored to know you.
I do not know if I would have survived the final months of finishing this book without the Secret Pool Party Sisters and Corey keeping me sane. Between Yahtzee over Zoom and, of course, the Friday night socially distanced face-to-face time next to the pool, the laughs, and the conversations that brought us closer, it is a bright spot of 2020! Thank you, Mary, Marie, Vicky, and Corey. You were the best bubble mates a girl could have!
Some people swing into our lives and then dash out, leaving a mark, but not a lasting one. Then there are the ones who dance into our lives and never leave. Becky, you have been a constant in my life for my entire adulthood… which I know is only like two or three years. Isn’t it amazing how time stopped when we met? In all seriousness, I am so proud of how you have handled the curveballs that have been thrown at you over the last several years. Your perseverance is a testament to your strength. Thank you for always being there when I need you. Lazy river days are in our extremely near future.
Sometimes we need a friend who will tell us how it is and not apologize for it. Other times we need a friend who will get down in the mud puddle with us, even after working a twelve-hour shift. How lucky am I to find both of those qualities in you, Shannon F? Some would say I am incredibly lucky. I would say that I have been blessed. Thank you for being willing to not only go down the rabbit hole with me but also pull me back when I go too far.
It is sometimes in the most unexpected places that you find that person who is so much like you, it’s kind of scary. For me, that would be the parents’ waiting room at dance class. Amber, thank you so much for basically forcing me to let you volunteer in the school library. That one act sealed our fates. From coaching some outstanding BotB teams to the hours we spend on the phone flipping our hair, it is almost like we’re the same person. Almost. Thank you for being my 99 percent friend. You mean more to me than I could ever express.
To my fierce sister, who always leaves me in awe. I love you so much and am always amazed at your commitment and determination to live your life on your terms. You might be a badass on the outside, but you still inherited some of Gram’s grace. And to Luna and Xyla, Aunt Gigi can’t wait to see you again.
I would be remiss not to mention my mother, without whom I would not be here today. Literally. I hope those days in labor have finally paid off. I love you so much and will always be grateful for your support. Thank you for helping me become the woman I am and being there when I need some redirection. Everything in my life has brought me to where I am today, and I wouldn’t change much… I might live closer.
What do you write to tell the love of your life how much he means to you? Louis, you are my Paulie. You are the person that makes me believe I can be whatever I want to be. You make me better, and after all these many years, you still surprise me. You are the person who knows me like no one else and does not back away from the dark parts. I love you so much. Thank you for loving me back.
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Where There's a Whisk Page 28