Castle in “Hollander's Woods”

Castle

I've spent a lot of time over the past few days thinking about how I got here. The long hours. The blank pages. Most people think that writing is a solitary profession, that we spend our days in our imaginary worlds, fighting, loving, dying. But we don't do it alone. Because anything that's good in our writing comes from truth. And the truth is, I'm here because of the people in my life. Mother, you will always be a star in my eyes. And, Alexis, you amaze me every day. You two are my redheaded pillars of unconditional love. To my friends at the 12th Precinct, you let me in. Especially you two, Javier, Kevin. You made me your brother-in-arms, and I thank you for that. And, Kate. Seven years ago, I thought I would never write again, and then you walked through the door, and my whole world changed. You were right. You said I had no idea. But now I do. This is because of you. Because of us. Always.