140006838X (53 page)

Jim Rutman knocks down shots whether you put a hand in his face or not; I am so proud to be his client and backcourt partner.

Howard Axelrod and Matthew Thomas answered every call, every time—a man could not ask for better friends.

Diamond, Jhanine, and Yale. TJ and Declain and Isadora. Crystal Kenneally, who is everything I could want in a sister, plus a side of guacamole. Caryl and Howard Bock, whose support and love are just endless.

David Colbert, Susannah Maurer, and Peggy Taylor. I am sorry we could not keep her. We all miss her, separately and deeply. Know that you are heroes. Know that I adore you all. More important, know that Lily loves you.

Leslie Jamison returned me to the living, made me whole again, and makes every day worthwhile. Each day I try to show my thanks, my love.

Lily is my bright and shining star.

BY CHARLES BOCK

Alice & Oliver

Beautiful Children

About the Author

C
HARLES
B
OCK
is the author of the novels
Alice & Oliver
and
Beautiful Children,
which was a
New York Times
bestseller and Notable Book, and won the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in
Harper’s, The New York Times,
the
Los Angeles Times,
and
Slate,
as well as in numerous anthologies. He lives with his wife, Leslie Jamison, and his daughter in New York City.

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