"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

It hasn’t even been 3 years since you’ve been gone and already everything has changed. We haven’t seen Perette around at all even though mom always leaves soda bread at the door when she doesn’t answer. The few times I’ve seen her since the wake the happiness in her eyes has gotten less and less. I didn’t just lose you when you died though, I lost your son too; my best friend. He’s gotten into the wrong crowd and no matter how hard I try I can’t get him back. That hurts almost as much as losing you. I can’t imagine how hard it is for bit of them though, losing a husband and a father. I had such a hard time trying to get back to normal after you died. I had to go to the guidance counselor so many times for breaking down in the middle of class and I couldn’t stand the way she looked at me and asked questions so I just started skipping classes to cry in the bathroom. I still get upset when I see the bench they dedicated to you, or when my dad tries to make grilled corn the way you did, or when someone talks about you. You were taken from this earth too soon Jimmy and all your ab people miss you so much. I love you and thank you for touchibc my life the way you have.