Our Lady of Infidelity

by Jackie Parker

  Sometimes in the diner an argument will start that gets everyone going—how we handled the great event (if it was great), or if maybe we failed. Simpler to say what Bobbie still says—something happened to a child here and we let it—a child who was little and loved the world—than admit to the change few dare speak of but every soul living in Infidelity has come to know. Something amazing happened to us. At any moment it may happen again. May be happening now, as we speak. Who among us can say for sure?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The author gratefully acknowledges the MacDowell Colony for time and space in which to write.

  Endless thanks to Catherine W. Swan, Michelle Rapkin, Bruce Joel Rubin, Blanche Rubin, Lenore Smith-Aman, Rosa Lowinger, Susan Buckley, Robert E. Mellman, and Andrew Wagner. For your love and support, Jonathan Parker, Brandon Parker, Rosalind Till, Donna Lee Michaels, Madeline Till, and Amos Kamil.

  And to Kimberly Beck Clark, Anna Termine, and Cal Barksdale, deepest gratitude for bringing this book into the world.