The Welcome Home Diner: A Novel
Page 35
How much of a person’s character is shaped by their parents? Are your parents easy to recognize in yourself? Do you have certain inherited traits you wish you could change? If so, do you think therapy is a route that could be productive?
How is your community addressing the issues of human trafficking?
Are there vestiges of racism in your community? If so, how are they expressed? How are they or how could they be dealt with?
Is there an area in your town or city that has gone through gentrification in the last five years? Were businesses and/or homeowners forced to leave? If so, do you think tax laws should be modified to address this?
What is your favorite comfort food? Is there a person or place that triggers this emotional reaction to the food? Does this food tell a story?
Theo feels believing in fate is a cop-out. Addie comes to think fate will always have the upper hand. The notion of fate is brought up several times. What does fate mean to you?
Author Note
Every day in the United States, victims of human trafficking—predominantly sex trafficking—are being exploited. In rural, suburban, and urban areas across the country, hundreds of thousands of people are trapped with the belief that no help is available.
Help exists. Polaris, a nonprofit nongovernmental organization, is a leader in the global fight to eradicate modern slavery and restore freedom to survivors of human trafficking. To make a donation go to www.PolarisProject.org.
If you suspect human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-8888.
Acknowledgments
If not for my deep friendship with Lucy Carnaghi, I wouldn’t have been able to portray my characters, the diner, and the city of Detroit with such intimacy and compassion. Sincere thanks, as well, to Molly Mitchell and my neighbor Krystyna Bobowski. As I wrote this book, your stories were on my mind.
Enormous gratitude to my family, especially to my deceased grandmother Mary Ellen. Those hours we spent cooking in your kitchen branded my spirit, shaping my life. To my husband, Richard, who understands I’ve the soul of a chameleon, assuming the identities of my characters. You’re a gem to endure my multiple personalities. To my son-in-law, Tom Rickmeyer, mathematical whiz, who inspired Uriah. To my children, Greta and Zan. Because of you I understand the passions of a mother—of any person—who loves a child. You gave me insight into LaQuisha, who would lay down her life if it meant her daughter could soar.
Judge David Swartz, your expertise was invaluable. My prayer is that Earl and Brett will find themselves in your courtroom. And Khurum Sheik—ahem, the former Detective Khurum Sheik—thank you for letting me steal your cover.
I’m indebted to my agent, Wendy Sherman of Wendy Sherman Associates, for guiding this book to its home. Buckets of gratitude, as well, to Lake Union Publishing, which is an amazing team to work with. Especially Kelli Martin—thank you for taking the wheel and steering me into Detroit. To Krista Stroever, for your keen eye and razor-sharp mind; would that every writer had such a comprehensive editing experience. And Paul Zablocki―how lucky am I to have such a kindred spirit copyedit this book. Your enthusiasm for my characters, not to mention your culinary expertise, was so very much appreciated. Claire Caterer, I imagine the environment you inhabit is impeccable; you do such a precise and thoughtful job with wordsmithing and order. Thank you!
A shout-out, as well, to the original Bon Temps, a Katrina dog rescued by Shannon and Ben Jelin. When I first met this inimitable pooch, I knew one day I’d write her into a story.
Finally, heartfelt gratitude to the men and woman who work fearlessly to eradicate human trafficking. To all the Brendas in the world, thank you for your tireless efforts. May the road rise up to meet you.
About the Author
Photo © 2016 John Shultz
Peggy Lampman was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. After earning a bachelor’s degree in communications—summa cum laude—from the University of Michigan, she moved to New York City, where she worked as a copywriter and photographer for a public-relations firm. When she returned to Ann Arbor, her college town, she opened a specialty foods store, the Back Alley Gourmet. Years later, she sold the store and started writing a weekly food column for the Ann Arbor News and MLive. Lampman’s first novel, The Promise Kitchen, published in 2016, garnered several awards and accolades. She is married and has two children. She also writes the popular blog www.dinnerfeed.com.