High On Arrival (32 page)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As you can imagine, with a story like mine there are tons of people to thank. It hasn’t been easy for any of us, but we made it through. I want to acknowledge the many people whose love and support over the years have helped make it possible for me to write this book.

I know this book reveals truths that any family would find difficult to have revealed publicly, and mine is no exception. I hope and pray for their tolerance, understanding, and willingness to support me as a sister, friend, mother, and daughter. Above all, I want to thank my amazing son, Shane Barakan. Son—you are the light of my life and I love you so much. I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening than you playing your guitar and me chilling with a pug on my lap. To my brothers and sisters: Jeffrey—Bro, my childhood companion, growing up without you would have been hell and now that we’re both adults and we’re both still alive, we have so much to be grateful for. You are top of my list. Chynna—Chy, your sense of humor and music inspire me. You are such a great mom and a wonderful sister. Tamerlane—Tam, you’re an amazing musician and a brilliant songwriter and I respect the man you’ve become. Bijou—Bij, don’t be mad that you’re not first. I did it in birth order. You are the baby after all. From changing your diapers to you changing my life, you mean so much to me I can barely stand it. My siblings—I love you all like a crazy person. My mom, Suzy January, who taught me how to be a lady. Mom—you are my little Shrimpie and I adore you. To my dad—I miss you Pops, and I’ll always love you, regardless. Genevieve—you’re an original, to say the least, and I love you. Michelle—you’ve always been a big part of my life and always will be. I love you. Mick Barakan a.k.a. Shane Fontayne—Papa, you helped save my life more than once and you’re the best parenting partner I can imagine. You mean more to me than you’ll ever know. Maria Villanueva—thank you for all your patience and kindness over the years.

I don’t know what I’d do without my friends. They are the sounding board for all my decisions, and the source of most of my laughter: Owen Elliot Kugell—Squeaky, you’re the best friend a girl could ask for. Susan Greenberg Minster—Snooz, you always make me laugh. Sue Sinenberg—Sue Sue my Blue Sue, we’ve been through so much and I’m sure there’s more to come. Tom Barwick, Marissa and Connie, Josh, Lisa, Steven, Marion, Billy Baldwin, Danny Masterson and his family, and Jason.

Thank you to Shane’s friends, Blaise, Jeff, Eric, Tim, and Jacob, who are also my friends. You loved me when I couldn’t love myself and supported Shane through the difficult times. Katie Maria Mudd—now I know what it’s like to have a daughter.

While I’m at it, this is an opportunity to thank the people who helped me get my start and guided my career: Patricia McQueeney, George Lucas, Norman Lear, Fred Roos, Patricia Fass Palmer, Alan Rafkin, Alan Horn. To my
One Day at a Time
family: Valerie, Bonnie, and Pat—it’s been an amazing journey of love, loss, and redemption. I thank you all for your undying faith in me. It isn’t misplaced. And Val, you look awesome in a bikini.

Endless thanks and love to my Mamas and Papas. Scott Mckenzie—you are my evil twin! Denny Doherty and his children, John, Emberly, and Jessica. Denny—you were the best Dutch-uncle a girl could want. I miss you. Spanky MacFarlane—boy, did we have fun. Mama Cass—thank you for your beautiful voice and the gift of your daughter, Owen, in my life.

I can’t express enough gratitude to the people who keep the business motor (such as it is) running. Robert T. Tucker—Tuck, you’ve always been there and for that I’m forever grateful. Geneva Bray, Gwen Pepper, and Tony Martinez at GVA—you are dream agents in a town where that’s hard to come by. Blair Berk—my miracle worker lawyer, thank you for keeping me out of jail and everything else. Arlene Dayton—my mother manager, I’ll always love you. Dan Frattali—business manager extraordinaire at Frattali & Salem, heaps of gratitude.

Working on this book gave me a purpose when I came out of Narconon, and that purpose was realized by my friend and coauthor, Hilary Liftin. Not only do we work together like a house on fire, but I hope we remain friends long after the publication of this memoir. Hilary, you rock! Lee Allan—the funniest and most endearing friend, father of Max and Fred, and onetime boyfriend—I can’t thank you enough for harnessing the vision of this book, putting it in the hands of the right people, and reading with sensitivity and insight, without asking for anything in return. Dan Strone—my amazing book agent at Trident Media Group, for your constant eye for detail and total commitment to helping me share my truth with readers. And for dealing with the
Celebrity Rehab
curveball. Jessica and Shea—for always helping with the important details. Many thanks to Neal Preston—photographer of some of the most important moments of the Phillips family public life, not to mention the greatest rock ’n’ roll photographer of all time, and my friend and supporter for thirty years.

To my new and deeply respected colleagues at Simon Spotlight—thank you for recognizing the importance of telling this story in the most authentic way and never flinching at the gory details. Jen Bergstrom—my initial conversation with you gave me the courage to tell my story. Sarah Sper—you edited this book with a deliberate, sensitive touch, and great encouragement. Trish Boczkowski—you took over the reins and shepherded the book through publication with grace and dedication. Cara Bedick—you never missed a beat in the changing of the guard. And last but not least, Michael Nagin—your involvement and excitement made the jacket come to life.

To the people who helped me get my life back more than once: Jeff Lukas, Cathy & Tom Steiner, Stacy Tregaskiss and everyone at Narconon Louisiana, Novus Medical Detox, LRH, Geraldine Owen Delaney a.k.a. G.O.D., Dr. Drew Pinsky, Bob Forest, Bill Wilson, and Bob Smith, and all my friends and family in recovery—I don’t know what I’d do without you.

To Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa—you are my sanctuary, my favorite place. To Palihouse—where most of this book was written, thanks for the fries and inspiration. To the LAPD—y’all saved my life and set in motion the miracle that is my recovery.

And, of course, love and gratitude to Freddie the Noble Pug, Max the King of All Pugs, and the newest addition to our family, Little Louie the timid Chihuahua, who has yet to reveal his special name.