Rules for 50/50 Chances (35 page)

“Yes.”

“What does the
G
stand for? In your name?”

“Giles. For my grandfather.”

Of course. Caleb Giles Franklin, named for his grandfather the artist, who gave him a sketchbook and the gene for art. “One more question,” I say. “Will you still watch paint dry with me?”

He laughs, big and raucous, his shoulders bouncing up and down, like I haven't seen in too long. I've missed that laugh. “I will still watch paint dry with you, HD.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me in close. “Maybe we could make it the quick-dry kind, though.”

I punch him in the arm and then burrow myself in his chest, where I think I'll stay for a while. Or at least for now.

Acknowledgments

First, a disclaimer: This book is just one imagined story—it isn't intended to be a comprehensive account of Huntington's disease or the experiences of families coping with it. To explore these topics in greater depth, the Huntington's Disease Society of America (www.hdsa.org) and the Huntington's Disease Youth Organization (www.hdyo.org) are great places to start.

That said, in writing Rose's story, I relied heavily on those who know much more about Huntington's than I do. Nancy Downing, PhD/RN, generously answered my questions and shared excellent resources. Masha Gessen's brilliant book
Blood Matters
, as well as the research and writings of Alice Wexler, Nancy Wexler, Amy Harmon, Gina Kolata and Kevin Baker, all provided invaluable guidance.

I've had the great fortune of working on this book with some extraordinary women. Joy Peskin is a magical editor. Mollie Glick is a badass agent. Both gave their whole hearts and great minds to this book and it is immeasurably better as a result.

Thanks too to Zoey Peresman, who dove in with incredible enthusiasm and thoughtfulness (and reminded me that a prom matters); and to the teams at FSG and Foundry Literary
+
Media, for everything they've done to bring this book into the world.

Several dear friends were vital sounding boards. Ellen Shanman and Brooke Lyons Osswald gave time and love to early drafts. The women of the TCFBWC—Anna McCallie, Heather Peske, Meagan Comb, Maria Fenwick, and Ellie Eckerson—competed for the best plot ideas and urged me forward. Leslie Kwok Potter and Alexis Carra are my Lenas, and I'm grateful to them for everything that means.

The good people of Grub Street make Boston a better place to be a writer. Thanks to the community I met there, in particular to Emily Terry, Jennifer Barnes, Jennifer Johnson, and Beth Jones, for their insights along the way. Most importantly, of course, to Elaine Dimopoulos, who taught me much about the craft and business of writing for young adults, and to Laura Chandra, the plot whisperer; this book wouldn't be itself without them.

I won the family lottery, and I try not to forget it. To all the McGoverns and Lewises, genetic and otherwise, much love and gratitude. A special shout-out, too, to my excellent niece and nephews, Addison, Connor, William, and Nicolas.

The only bittersweetness of this experience is that my grandmother isn't here to share it. But if she were, she'd probably say, “What? MacDougal wrote a book? Well, of course she did.” Sharp-witted, fiercely independent, and book-loving, Gram's influence remains singular and salient, and I thank her for that daily.

Finally, my parents, Kathryn Lewis and Jim McGovern: They raised me in a house full of books and made me believe I could write them. Their love carries me through this world.