How to Cook Your Daughter (25 page)

FIRST, MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO MY HUSBAND, KURT
, for his boundless love and support. My warmest thanks to Blake Morrison, without whose guidance, encouragement, and dedication this book would not have come to fruition. Also to my agent, Sterling Lord, for his belief in this project; to my editor, Cassie Jones, for her meticulous eye and hard work; and to Judith Regan, for giving me the opportunity to tell my story. I salute my oldest and dearest friends, Krisztina, Iana, Alison, and Gage, for their loyalty. To Rudy Maxa, Jonathan W., Bob Faggen, Jim Gaynor, Valerie Marchant, Ted Mann, Sean Kelly, Michael Strober, Angela Bonavoglia, and Amy Solomon. To my stepfather, Bill Pierce; to my sister, Katherine, and her hus
band, Peter; to Al, Enid, and all the Fuller family—in appreciation for your compassion. Thanks to Rachelle Benveniste for inspiring me. Lastly, I wish to acknowledge my mother, Judith, for her courage.

—JESSICA HENDRA

 

Thanks to my wonderful wife, Bernadette, whose love, patience, support, and kindness make every day special. Thanks to my father and mother, Jim and Arline Morrison, for fostering in me a love of the language. Thanks to my agent, Sterling Lord, whose wisdom, encouragement, and belief in me proved priceless. Thanks to Cassie Jones, the sort of editor who elevates the work and the spirit, and to Vivian Gomez for the care she gave to every page. And thanks most of all to Jessica Hendra for allowing me to help her tell her story. As we worked together, Jessica, my respect and admiration for you only grew. I hope this book allows others to see the woman I have come to know: a fantastic mother, a loving wife, a trusted friend, and a forgiving daughter who values the truth above everything else.

—BLAKE MORRISON