Before I Let Go (33 page)

W
e hope that you enjoyed Darren Coleman’s debut novel, Before I Let Go. The following questions are intended to facilitate your group’s discussion of this engaging and provocative book.

Questions for Discussion

1. Nate and Brendan have conflicting philosophies on their relationships with women. Nate views women purely as a means for physical satisfaction, while Brendan is more focused on emotional attachments. How do the attitudes of Cory’s two best friends affect his personal dealings with the women in his own life? Are his friends positive influences on him? What lessons do they teach him about life and love?
   
2. As the title suggests, many of the characters in the book are holding on to something that they cannot let go of. What are these hang-ups for Cory, Nate, and Brendan? Are there other characters who have something that they can’t seem to let go of? What are some reasons people hold on to things that have negative consequences on their lives?
   
3. In the first chapter, Cory describes the events and details of his original break-up with Shelly. In the last chapter, it is several years later and he has just married her. Does this represent a regression to his past, or has Cory changed? How have his experiences with other women brought him back to Shelly? Is his commitment to her based solely on a sense of responsibility to his child, or is there something more to it?
   
4. Throughout the novel, characters in serious relationships rationalize sleeping with other people. Nate maintains relationships with Sahleen and India at the same time, Cory cheats on Nina with Darlene when he goes to Atlanta, and even Brendan starts sleeping with Trina again while he is still seeing Laney. How does each character rationalize his indiscretions? Are any of them justified in their exploits? Are there any situations when it is okay to cheat?
   
5. Cory’s relationship with Paula is a very formative element in his love life. In many ways, she is his introduction to adult relationships. How does Paula’s decision to work things out with her husband affect Cory’s decision to marry Shelly? What does she teach him about love and commitment?
   
6. Upon returning to his hotel room, Nate discovers Sahleen in bed with Shawn Simmons. Though upset, he is easily convinced to join in by his model girlfriend and the R&B diva. The incident ends up destroying Nate’s relationship with Sahleen. Would Cory have reacted similarly under the same circumstances? How about Brendan? Are all men slaves to their urges and impulses?
   
7. Cory’s father died when he was a child, and his sister Brenda is a single mother of two. He has had a lot of exposure to the hardships women endure in raising children by themselves. If not for these factors, would Cory have ended up marrying Shelly? Does Nate’s absent mother have anything to do with the way he treats women? How much does a man’s relationship with his mother and other women in his family affect his attitudes toward women?
   
8. The ultimate consequence of Nate’s player lifestyle is the suicide of his fall-back girlfriend, Kim. Brendan’s forgiving nature leads to reconciliation with the woman who has betrayed him the most severely. Who is worse off at the end of the book? Do Brendan and Nate have the same outlook on women and relationships as they did at the beginning of the book? Can experience transform long-held beliefs? Do people ever truly change?
   

M
any people to thank.
First off, I want to thank Sheryl Hicks. You were there for me from the time when this book was just an idea. Your friendship has meant the world to me. I love you always. Derek Lowe, thanks for pushing me to bring my dreams to fruition. Your support of my work and Nvision Publishing has been INVALUABLE.

As you remind me, brother, steel sharpens steel. We all need that friend who tells us when we are smelling ourselves. Thanks to Michelle Lowe for being such a sweetie all the time. Now look at you, reading and whatnot.

For all the people who invested their energy and time into helping me reach this point, I want to offer you my most sincere appreciation. My test readers and good friends Endrea Frazier, Lynn Thomas, Bridgette Roy, and Bekisha McWilliams. Tracy Turner, thanks for all the love, support, and patience. You always believed in me and that meant a lot.

My big sis, Tanya Ross. Thank you for waiting patiently for the book. You spoke my destiny into existence many years ago when I was headed in the wrong direction…you may not remember what you said to me, but I do. You are the best sister in the world and you finally remembered my birthday! Thanks for taking such good care of my little man the same way you took care of me. I love you.

Patty Rice, I am so proud to call you a friend. You have been such a positive force in my life. It’s just a matter of time before we introduce the world to our work. You are an outstanding author.
Simpatico!

Shannon Holmes. I remember that first night you called me and told me that you were feeling
Before I Let Go,
you gave me a lot of needed energy.
B-More Careful
hadn’t even come out yet. Now look at you. You are just as humble today as you were then and that’s
“what’s really good.”
This industry doesn’t allow friendships to grow, but ours was written. Thanks for all your help and advice.

V.S., the one and only Vickie Stringer. What is the world gonna do with us? Pay us! I am so glad to claim you as a dear friend and colleague. You mean so much to me and I wish you nothing but continued success.

Zachary Tate, author of
No Way Out, Lost and Turned Out,
and
Ain’t No Half Steppin’
. The world has no idea what you are putting down on those pages. But they will! You have three of the best books I have ever read and more on the way.

Anthony Carr, you are brilliant. Thank you for bringing my characters to life on the covers. Thanks to your wife, Renee, for always making me feel welcome. Thanks to my photographer, Curtis Catrell at Emagine Studios. Thanks also to my daaaaawg, Les Green at Green Scorpion Web Design.

Kim Lee, you are so premiere with your makeup artistry. You have been such a big help. I wish you twice the success you desire for yourself. You are truly one of the most special people to ever enter my life. Angelique at WHUR and the entire WHUR Family, thanks for your help and giving me my first on-air experience.

Much love to my homegirls Michelle Wright and Rane at WPGC. Shout out to EZ, Joi, Prince DeJour, and Huggie Lowdown. A special thanks to a woman I go to bed with often, Justine Love. Thanks for the spot on
Love Talk.
I also want to shout out Russ Parr, Jeannie Jones, Natalie Case, Mike Chase, Alvin Waples, and the entire Radio One Family.

I want to thank all of my friends and family who have lent an ear, support, and prayers. To the entire Ridley family, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws—remember
it’s
in the genes. My cousin-brothers Chuck Bishop, Ted Ridley, Damien Lyles, and Marcus Bishop, stay focused. James Chaney, how many people can maintain friendships that form at ages four and five? We are brothers forever. To the entire Chaney family, especially Skip, much love. Darrell and James Munson, and Tre’ Chaney—don’t fake, who taught you? Mike Davis, thanks so much for having my back all these years. Mike’s Barbershop in Landover Hills, Maryland, is number one. All my fam at the shop, My Barber E., aka Eric Carter; my adopted friend-brother Anthony McCrae—keep the chess board ready; Ed Walker; Mr. Hackley; Terry; Big Pete & Shelly; Tee; and my man Nice.

My road dawg and top-flight security, Shaka. Reginald (BBD) Miles; Marcus Benefield, aka Butter; Kenny Campbell; Daren B.; Graham Cracker (D.C.’s number one deejay); my main man Big Al—it’s always great talking to you. The Glendale Lake Crew, Delfis Worthy, Mike Bullock, Derek Fikes, Chris Cason, and Harold Bullock R.I.P. Steve Armstrong, Renaldo Williams, Darren Clark, and Show Place Records. Pierre Fletcher at Radical Art Clothing, thanks for the gear and for helping me coach the youngsters. Kevin Moore, you’ve been a good dude forever. Tony Carter and everyone in Covington, Virginia, I miss y’all. Chad Cunningham, it’s great to have you as a friend, Braveheart. I got your back. June, a reason, a season, a lifetime—you know what’s up.

Alex, you are my reason, I am proud to have you as a son. Mykala, my princess, Uncle D loves you. To all my former students at Wood-bridge Elementary—stay focused, I love you all. Thanks for making it cool to have been Mr. Coleman and giving me material for an upcoming book!

To all the women I have loved on any level—friendship or otherwise—I am grateful for the experience and support. Stay in my corner, Robin Knox-Love, Taffy Dobbins, Keisha Harvey, Donise Thomas, Jeannine Graham, Jessica Berger, Erica Lane, Kim Lee, Cia Torrance, Nina West, Tammy Clark, Krystal Parker, Shawn Chase, Tanisha Ashford, and Shakeema Abdullah.

To all my surrogate sisters, Lisa Lamar, Rolawnda Chase, Lakisha Thompson, Erica Thompson, Tahisha Cunningham, Andrea Alston-Roberts, Lenore Worthy, Angela Oates, and Lisa Richardson.

Monica Allen, 143. What a journey this has been! You are such a special friend and I am glad to be your favorite author. Will you be in the audience when I make it to
Jeopardy
?

I would like to acknowledge the booksellers, stores, and vendors. Thank you for making
Before I Let Go
a hit. Kevon, Larry, Gail, and the entire Culture Plus Family. Thanks to Eric, and Karen at A&B. Natti at Afrikan World Books. My man Richard at Sephia Sand & Sable.

A heartfelt appreciation goes to Brothers Yao and Simba at Karibu Books. The name
Karibu
means “Welcome” in Swahili, and the entire staff at Karibu exemplify that. Thank you for the support.

Thanks also to my sensational editor at HarperCollins, Kelli Martin. You are a dream to work with. Believe me when I tell you that we are going to make history as a team. Thanks also to Rockelle Henderson at Harper. You all have made me feel very welcome and appreciated. I won’t let you down.

Jimmy Vines, thanks for being the coolest agent and for all the outstanding advice. It has been a pleasure working with you. Show me the money, Jimmy!

I want to thank all of the authors whom I have met over the past year. It is truly an honor to share the stage with you. Eric Jerome Dickey, Zane, K’wan, Nikki Turner, B. Lawson, Zachary Tate, Azarel, Tiffany Womble, and all of the others whom I’ve had the pleasure. Best wishes to you all.

Last, I want to thank all of the artists who inspire. Writers, musicians, actors, and directors. Keep doing what you do. Remember that energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transferred, so keep the flow positive.

DARREN COLEMAN graduated from Bowie State University, where he majored in elementary education and minored in communications. For the past several years, he has worked as a second-grade teacher and a freelance writer for his local newspapers. Coleman is the founder of NVision Publishing. He writes full-time and lives in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

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Designed by Chris Welch

Cover illustration by Anthony Carr