Naked

Once we’re outside, my mom says, “A

I stop at the corner of the street and think. Taxis fly by us; crowds of people walk past. I know New York better than my mother ever will. All of these places have memories co

“How about we try someplace new?” I ask. Then I remember one place I’d always wanted to try. “What about some Indian food?”

“Ooh! Sounds delicious,” my mom says.

I’m not afraid of the past anymore, and I’ve opened up to Jackson and my mom more than I ever thought I could, but now I’m all about moving on. All about the new.

I have no idea what will happen now. If I’ll get my GED and go to college in the next year. If I’ll make it into this art school for the summer. But I’m not really worried about it.

I’m not perfect. I never will be. But I’m okay with that.

For once, I’m actually happy just being me.

A

Acknowledgments

I am incredibly blessed to have my name, my words, in print. So many people had a hand in helping me to get here, some more direct than others, but they all deserve a huge thank you!

First, I have to thank my amazing and supportive husband, Sean…who I will never forget to thank again! ;) You were my very first fan and biggest supporter! I love you!

Plus the rest of my insane family! Love you guys!

A big, huge, massive thanks to my editor Stephen. Without you, this book might never have seen the light of day. Thank you for seeing its amazing potential and being willing to do whatever it took to get it where it needed to be! Thank you for all your hard work and thank you thank you for believing in me!

Thank you to all the writing friends I’ve made along the way. Each and every one of you has made an impact on me and my writing. Some specific thanks go to: Stacey Nash—you’re so giving and rarely ask for anything in return. Thank you! Naomi Hughes—thank you for your encouraging words and helpful critique when I was still just starting out on this crazy road to publication. Rebecca Yarros—I didn’t know you personally when you helped a little newbie writer back in the day, but now that I do I know you are even more incredible than I thought back then (which is saying something!). Laura Timms—thank you for your encouragement and reading my revision before it went off to the acquisitions board. Thank you to all my friends involved in Unborn Writers, my old writing group. It was an awesome time with all of you. And of course, thanks to all the friendly folks who helped me with my query and pitch. You guys rock!

Thank you to everyone involved in the online writing community. You all amaze me every day. Thank you to Brenda Drake and Erica Chapman for seeing something in this crazy little story during Pitch Madness. You sincerely gave me the confidence I needed. Thank you to the folks at Query Kombat- Michelle, SC, and Michael, for involving me and being so supportive ever since! Thank you to Tamara and Jessa for ru

I already mentioned this person, but she deserves a double thanks for all that she does. She is so incredibly modest about the impact that she has had on so many writers. The online writing community would not be the same without you! Brenda Drake—you are truly incredible!!

Thank you to the folks at Absolute Write. It’s a roller coaster ride there sometimes, but I’ve grown exponentially by being a part of your totally insane community. And thank you to Victoria Strauss for being so giving to writers everywhere!

Lastly, I owe the thanks of all thanks to my God. This passion has been the most incredible gift I’ve ever been given. So THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! You are truly amazing.

About the Author

Stacey Trombley lives in Ohio with her husband, her new baby boy, and the sweetest Rottweiler you’ll ever meet. She thinks people are fascinating and any chance she has, she’s off doing or learning something new. She went on her first mission trip to Haiti at age twelve and is still dying to go back. Her “places to travel” list is almost as long as her “books to read” list.

She wants to bring something new to the world through her writing, but just giving a little piece of herself is more than enough.

www.staceytrombley.com

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