Thanks to Gemma Cooper for your enthusiasm and tireless support, for talking me through all the things, and for figuring out overseas three-way calls like a champ.
Many thanks to everyone at the Bent Agency for their hard work, and their incredible sub-agents who pushed to ensure more than just my mom reads this book. And a special shout-out to Victoria Cappello for her diligence and behind-the-scenes heroics.
Thank you to Stephanie Singleton; they say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but if it’s your dope artistry on the jacket, I’d wholeheartedly disagree.
Thank you to the incredible team at Gallt and Zacker for your enthusiastic support and for making me feel at home.
So much love to my original crew and hometown friends, who always hold me down: Tony—man, our sitcom is still funny, I don’t care what anyone says. You’re so . . . tall. Des—few people understand me like you do, which should scare everyone else, haha. Drew—I don’t care what Des says, keep shooting. Scales—my “little brother” through and through; thanks for bringing me cookies and relaying messages, no matter the content, verbatim. Anthony—man, I can’t imagine nursing school without you; let’s keep working smarter not harder, haha. Ariana—you were there when this story was just an idea. If I ever need killer makeup, you know where I’m coming. Thanks for the laughs and the best TV recommendations. I hate it, hahaha.
Thank you to Tiffany J, for all the long talks, pep and otherwise, for having my back, always; you know I’ve got yours the same. LB4L.
Thank you to Angie T, for all your sage advice and bottomless encouragement, for always being real, for casting the best movies, haha; you deserve all that you’ve gotten.
Super thanks to the Stupid Smart Kids: we met at NASA and took off from there (oh snap, that subtle pun-work). Drew—I don’t know anyone who’d want to read through all my awful half-baked stories, except you. Thanks for all the chats, for letting me crash, for telling me I was a writer. Jesse—you could grow a full beard since we were fifteen (jealous), but you never let that go to your head, haha. Thanks for all the jokes, brother, and for the belief. Khadijah, my sister in words, few people understand the power of the written word more than you; hold on to your fire. We, and this world, need it. Karen, always so direct but also so genuine, and hella caring; thanks for working to keep the crew together; Rhode Island is blessed! And Amma, my sister and eternal homie, thanks for listening to all my literary scheming and for insisting that all of it was not only possible but eventual. You’re my favorite artist by a landslide. Life’s a dash . . . dancing around the living room to “Little Boxes” . . . all of that, always. By the way, Kwame, I’ll read you the same stories over and over again any day, little man.
Big ups to the Trash Can Writers Crew: Ashley (it’s fitting we’re agent sibs because we’re also twins!), Mark, Patrice, Kwame, Zoraida, Jalissa, and Saraciea. You guys are the best, and I meme it! Wakanda forever! And special Trash Can honorary shout-out to Nic and Dhonielle, who know all the things and share accordingly.
Thanks to my Beoples family for all your support and humor. I’m in awe of your talent and generosity.
To the following teachers, thank you for your near-irrational belief in my potential. It started with Mrs. Bennett in third grade (also the year I found out I needed glasses) who assured my mom I had it; Ms. Johnson in junior high, who guided me to Power of the Pen; Bruce Weigl, who saw something in me I didn’t even recognize and who told me over and over through the years; Dr. Rachel Carnell, who wrote one of the best recommendation letters ever (that letter got me through some hard times), thank you; and to Sheila Schwartz, possibly the greatest teacher Cleveland State University has ever seen, but certainly the most inspirational. You got me my first fellowship despite reading some of the crappiest things I’ve ever written, all with graciousness and style; rest in peace.
Thank you to Mojo’s for the best coffee (medium miel) in NE Ohio but also for never kicking me out. I drove past many a café to make it to you. You guys are awesome.
Thank you to libraries everywhere for giving me refuge and hope.
Thank you to the city of Cleveland, for nurturing me, for pushing me, for giving me a place to call home. We take a lot of crap, but we keep it moving. Cleveland versus the World, always.
Thank you to Love. Damn if we don’t need more of you. Please stick around.
Thank you to Life. Maybe we didn’t get here conventionally, but to heck with convention, right?! We made it, anyway.
Thank you to all the friends and family that I didn’t mention expressly by name; you’re not forgotten. I carry you in my heart.
Thank you to Papo and Aunt Elaine, I would gladly trade this story for another moment with you both, but between these pages, you live on.
And to Jack, Kate, Franny, and Jillian—thank you for all your words. But mostly, thank you for reminding me no one ever really dies.
About the Author
Courtesy Justin A. Reynolds
JUSTIN A. REYNOLDS has been a pest control operator, night security guard, steel mill janitor, NASA intern, salesman of high-end faucet fixtures, and carpet flooring installer. He was most recently a registered nurse before trading his stethoscope for a pencil, but he likes to think both instruments reveal the heart. He lives in northeast Ohio, home to snow, Lake Erie, and the Cavaliers. You can visit Justin at www.justinareynolds.com.
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Katherine Tegen Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
OPPOSITE OF ALWAYS. Copyright © 2019 by This Just In LLC. 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.
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2018946216
Digital Edition MARCH 2019 ISBN: 978-0-06-274839-3
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-274837-9
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FIRST EDITION
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Opposite of Always Page 29
