But it was still pretty cool to get a phone call from New York City.
Eventually, I would get a longer letter from Leo. In fact, he would eventually return to Moose Junction, almost every summer, and stay in our cabins. He would help me learn about the stars, and I would help him understand that you can’t go backward. You have to move forward, just like space—always moving, changing, exploding, re-forming, and becoming new.
But we aren’t at that part of the story yet.
I didn’t know any of this, that night. I only knew that I had my sisters, and parents who tried really hard and loved me, and a dog who slobbered. I knew that the average galaxy contained forty billion stars. I knew that I contained stardust that connected me to everyone on the planet—my sisters, Joanna Creech, even Simone. Even Lyra Lacamoire. I knew I had nothing to fear. I knew that I was home, whatever came next.
Acknowledgments
All glory to Jesus, forever and ever.
Alyssa Miele: the fact that you are right under Jesus in my acknowledgments should show you how much I value you for your honesty, attention to detail, and passion. This book is infinitely better because of your care for it! I’m also so grateful for Kathryn Silsand, Jessica White, Rosemary Brosnan, Jacquelynn Burke, and everyone else at HarperCollins who had a hand in making this book something I’m proud of.
Thank you to Alex Slater, without whom this book would be a Word doc on my computer. Your constant belief in me and my talent has made me the author I am today, and I’m so grateful for your enthusiasm and kindness. Here’s to many more stupid questions.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Pascal Campion, who designed the gorgeous book cover. You brought Abby to life in a way I could only dream of.
Multiple women shared their stories with me to make sure Blair’s journey was as realistic as possible, and I am so grateful for your insight and vulnerability.
When I wanted to be an author, Kristi Weimerskirch and Angie Stanton were the ones who instantly said I could do it. I am forever grateful for your friendship.
There have been so many mornings where drinking coffee and complaining about Daniel Tiger was exactly what I needed. So thank you times infinity to Kate Lawton, Heather Bishop, Katie Steffe, Stacey Irvine, and the rest of our Wednesday crew, as well as Amanda Felsman and Leah Landrie.
This book would never have been written if Mindy Duch didn’t love my children so well. Thank you for everything you do for my kiddos, Miss Mindy!
Thank you to Serena and the rest of the crew at Cafe de Arts in Sussex, Wisconsin, where this entire book was written—large light roast, please.
The listeners of the Catholic Feminist Podcast are the best supporters a girl could ask for. I see you all out there, cheering me on—thanks for listening and reading and praying!
Thank you to the entire town of Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, who welcomes my family with such open arms every summer and lets me steal a bit of its magic for my readers.
What Happens Next is frequently referred to as a “sibling story,” and I wouldn’t be who I am without mine: Paul Courchane, John Courchane, Jenna Courchane, Ellen Thalacker, Cole Thalacker, and Asia Swinarska. My biggest cheerleaders, my #bestlife companions—let’s go to Wittig’s and celebrate. As always, the Uselman, Courchane, & Swinarski clans have inspired me and rooted for me, especially Monika and Jacek Swinarski. I am so lucky to be in the family I’m in.
To Mark and Grace Courchane: thanks for the braces, the T-ball registration forms, letting me paint my room orange, and all the other things I should have thanked you for but never did. Most of all, thank you for believing in me every single day.
Benjamin, Tess, Krzys: my very own people. I love you more than all the stars in the sky.
About the Author
Photo credit East Elm Photography
CLAIRE SWINARSKI was born and raised in Wisconsin, where she still lives with her husband and two kids. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and many other publications. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is probably either wandering through a library or sitting by a lake at this very moment. To learn more about Claire, visit her online at www.claireswinarski.com.
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Copyright
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. Copyright © 2020 by Claire Swinarski. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
www.harpercollinschildrens.com
Cover art © 2020 by Pascal Campion
Cover design by Catherine San Juan
* * *
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019951151
Digital Edition MAY 2020 ISBN: 978-0-06-291269-5
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-291267-1
* * *
2021222324PC/LSCH10987654321
FIRST EDITION
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