Also at the National Archives (if you haven’t been, go visit), Matt Fulgham, Chris Isleib, Miriam Kleiman, David Mengel, Trevor Plante, and Morgan Zinsmeister once again helped me conjure my inner Beecher. He is a host like no other (and I’ll admit, makes better pancakes than I do). But my work there could not have been done without Archivist of the United States David S. At this point, I hope my love of the National Archives is clear. Special thanks to First Ladies Barbara and Laura Bush, along with the amazing Jean Becker, for helping inform my imaginary counterparts. Bush, who always shows tremendous kindness by answering my questions. I could not write my imaginary President without the gracious help of President George H. Then Dale Flam, Matt Kuttler, Chris Weiss, and Judd Winick take those early drafts and give me the honesty I need to turn those pages into an actual book. Ethan Kline brings his big literary brain to every one of these books, shaping it for the better. That is the definition of family we should all aspire to. I can honestly say, he is always there for me. There’s no one more loyal, more trusted, more dedicated. Let me tell you who redefined family for me. Also to Bobby, Ami, Adam, Gilda, and Will, who are always there with us. So I need to thank my sister, Bari, the one person who can both laugh and cry with me about our parents’ beautiful craziness. This book is about the power and emotional pull of family, but also about the definition of it. I so admire what you do, and here’s to many more together. Also, an official welcome to the unstoppable Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and everyone at WME as they join our family. You challenge me on every draft, and this book is the best of what you taught me Hope Denekamp, Lucy Cleland, Ike Williams, and all our friends at the Kneerim, Williams & Bloom Agency. Along the journey of our friendship, you have educated me about writing-and about decency. When I was twenty-three, you took that first chance. Jill Kneerim, my friend and agent, this book is for you. I love each of you with everything I have. I keep thinking I’m teaching the three of them, yet no one on this planet has taught me more about myself. Jonas, Lila, and Theo will always be my best blessings. I fight for you every day, and your input is felt on every page of this novel. On that note, I also owe massive thank-yous to the following: My first lady, Cori, who fought with me and for me, bringing me to the other side. So once again, I owe you, dear reader, for making these novels possible. These books-and the characters within-taught me that. Today I know: I’ll never get over losing my parents. We buried both my parents and then, as I thought I was finally over it, I kept struggling through the seismic aftershocks and the inevitable identity quest that went along with it. But by the end, I once again realize that the only story I can really be honest about is my own story. Every time I write a novel, I convince myself I’m telling you a story about imaginary people.