What's Left Unsaid

by Emily Bleeker

  She returned her gaze to Guy and nodded.

  “Yeah. I think so too.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  First, I need to say thank you to all the essential workers who bravely went to work and made life possible the past year. It was a hard year for everyone, but I was able to stay home and work from my computer while you all went out and did the hard tasks. I have a deep respect and awe for all of you.

  The complications of writing during a pandemic were more than I’d expected, so I need to also say a deep and heartfelt thank-you to the internet. I know it sounds like a joke, but I’m serious! Without Google Maps, Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, county websites, helpful librarians, and the existence of email and social media, I would not have been able to write this book with any amount of accuracy, since in-person research was impossible at the time. I’m grateful for such technology, and I also hope that with the use of those tools I’ve been able to convey this story with as much veracity as possible during this strange time in our world.

  In that same vein—thank you to Kelly Haramis for your insights into the world of journalism and the Chicago Tribune. Your experience there and willingness to give feedback and information was priceless. Thank you for all your assistance and for chatting with me over Facebook Messenger at the drop of a hat.

  And thank you to Torrice Albarakat for your consulting prowess. Your ability to speak boldly and share your undiluted thoughts on important topics relating to racism, injustice, and equality was so deeply appreciated. The way this story and the characters transformed under the influence of your input and insight was beautiful and exciting to me. I hope the future brings more opportunities for collaboration . . . especially once we don’t have to teach algebra AND attempt to be creative at the same time.

  To my writers’ group, coaches, and castmates at Improv Playhouse—you have become such an important part of my life. To our little band of performers who have worked together, following guidelines and restrictions—thank you for being my emotional support system, whether you knew it or not. Your dedication to art and creativity keeps me going.

  Shahab Astabraghpour—I know it was kismet that we became friends when we did. I’m so grateful for your slight obsession with Memphis (but in a good way) and familiarity with that area. The details you were able to provide were not just informative but inspirational at a time when everything having to do with research felt impossible. Thank you as well for checking in with me as I was working; for encouraging me when I felt stuck; for providing me with references, phone numbers, and deep thoughts; and most of all for always being there to make me laugh when I needed it. I know you think you didn’t do much to help—I’m pretty sure you’re wrong.

  To the women I look up to and cheer for: Karen Schaffroth, Nora Benjamin, Lorena Vazquez, and Sarah McFeggan—I have learned resilience and determination from each of you. And I have also learned what it means to be a true friend. Thank you for always being there for me, showing up on my doorstep, putting up with my random texts, and always knowing the right thing to say. I wish every woman could be as lucky as I have been to have such a powerful group of women standing beside me through life. You mean the world to me.

  Thank you as well to my fellow authors at Lake Union Publishing. You are such a lovely and supportive group, and you give the BEST advice. Thanks for making me feel normal in my writing neurosis and helping me push through the stumbling blocks of this creative life.

  Thanks to my developmental editor, Tiffany Yates Martin. You challenge me in such a productive way. I love the way we work together and the way you encourage me to make my stories the best they can be. You are an insanely hard worker, and I feel lucky to have enjoyed honing and beautifying so many books together. Here’s to many more transformations in our future.

  I would not be where I am today without my amazing agent, Marlene Stringer. You have always been such a great support to me, but during this worldwide crisis you were there to care about me not only as your client but also as a person. Your words of care and advice meant the world to me and pulled me through some hard times and self-doubt. Thank you for seeing the best in me and being a voice I can trust unwaveringly.

  Thanks to my editor, Chris Werner. Your perceptiveness and insight were priceless with this story. Thank you for being so hands-on and for keeping me on my toes. I am always grateful to have the opportunity to work with you and your awesome team at Lake Union.

  I know I’d be far less sane without the support and care of my friend and castmate, Lorena Vazquez. Thank you for being a constant in my life. If they had PhDs in friendship, you’d for sure have one. You support me, encourage me, challenge me, and push me to be more every single day. Literally—every day. Thanks for every meme, quote, taco, adventure, laugh, and tear you’ve brought to my world. I love being each other’s cheerleaders. Let’s keep doing all the scary things, okay?

  Thanks to my sister, Elizabeth Sadler, for taking my phone calls and listening like a pro. Thank you for wanting to know about the real Evelyn just as much as I did and trying your hand at research in some really amazing ways. I don’t know how I’d ever write a book without you, if I’m honest. Even though you are my baby sister, I look up to you. You are a crazy-impressive working mom who shows me that it is possible to have professional and parental success. Thank you for always picking up the phone and teaching me what it is like to have a secure base. I love you.

  Thanks to my parents, George and Cindy Sadler, for your love and support and for being truly amazing with my kids. Dad, thank you for helping with virtual learning during this pandemic. Also, thank you for having hours and hours of conversations with me about Mississippi, your childhood, and growing up in the South. Also, thank you for supporting the whole idea of this story, even though parts of it were based off your family history. I know we have been fascinated by Evelyn’s true story for decades, and it’s been such a joy to let it inspire this book.

  And most of all, I’m grateful to my children: Johnny, Brandon, Thomas, and Maddie. We have been the most “together” we’ve ever been other than when you were babies. It’s been . . . interesting. Ha! But even with the struggles of shelter-in-place, virtual learning, and limits on what used to be normal life—thank you for showing me that you are growing into humans I’m crazy-proud to call my own. You all are so creative and bright, and I love you endlessly. I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what greatness you will bring to the world. You could start with a cure to COVID-19 . . . I mean . . . if that’s not asking TOO much.

  And to my great-aunt, the real Evelyn: Thank you for writing your story down eighty years ago and trusting that one day it would find a way to be shared. You had a hard life. I’m so sorry you felt like you had so few options that a loaded gun seemed to be your only choice. The world is still not perfect, I’m sorry to say. But some things have changed and continue to change every day. We are working hard to make sure that no woman has to experience the hardships you did. It might not happen in my lifetime or my daughter’s, but I have to believe that as long as we listen to voices like yours, each generation will find new and growing strength, support, and compassion.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo © 2019 Organic Headshots

  Emily Bleeker is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of What It Seems, The Waiting Room, Working Fire, When I’m Gone, and Wreckage. Emily is a former educator who learned to love writing while teaching a writers’ workshop. After surviving a battle with a rare form of cancer, she finally found the courage to share her stories. Emily currently lives with her family in suburban Chicago. Connect with her or request a Skype visit with your book club at www.emilybleeker.com.

 

 

 
filter: grayscale(100%); -o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share