Jubilee (14 page)

T
wo days later, I spun around in front of the mirror. My flowered skirt went to the floor. I loved the silky white top.

The night before, at dinner, Gideon kept singing. “A happy day tomorrow.” He winked at me. “It's my wedding day, a lucky day for Cora.”

That Gideon! He always made us laugh.

It was almost time. Everyone would be there: neighbors, people from church, Gideon's friends from the ferry, half my class, and Amber. She might be late, but we wouldn't mind.

I went into Aunt Cora's room and put my arms around her. I breathed in her perfume and the sweet smell of her bouquet of roses on the dresser.

“Today,” I whispered. “A jubilee.”

My students have made such a difference in my life, and in my writing. As I wrote this story, I thought especially of Christopher, Donald, and Anna. I pictured Scott Liam at my door. After all these years, I still look for Michael Gaffney.

How important my first class was! I remember all those long-ago students, and especially the four who made me love teaching: Sheldon Dreyfuss, Frank Noviello, John Sangimino, and John Wekerle. Shelly still keeps me smiling.

I treasure the memory of Ughondi Freeman Grant every day, my dear laughing girl.

Dr. Irving Rockoff gave hope and magic to our students; our friendship was warm and wonderful.

I'm more than grateful to Wendy Lamb, my editor and friend, who works tirelessly on my books. I thank her assistant editor, Dana Carey, for all she does; she and I have a shared love of dogs. Kathy Dunn is always there for me!

My family makes life worthwhile…especially Jim, who is everything to me.

Patricia Reilly Giff is the author of many beloved books for children, including the Kids of the Polk Street School books, the Friends and Amigos books, and the Polka Dot Private Eye books. Several of her novels for older readers have been chosen as ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Books and ALA-YALSA Best Books for Young Adults. They include
The Gift of the Pirate Queen; All the Way Home; Water Street; Nory Ryan's Song,
a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Golden Kite Honor Book for Fiction; and the Newbery Honor Books
Lily's Crossing
and
Pictures of Hollis Woods
.
Lily's Crossing
was also chosen as a
Boston Globe–Horn Book
Honor Book. Her most recent books are
Until I Find Julian, Winter Sky, Gingersnap, R My Name Is Rachel, Storyteller, Wild Girl,
and
Eleven,
as well as the Zigzag Kids series. She lives in Connecticut.

Patricia Reilly Giff is available for select speaking engagements. To inquire about a possible appearance, please contact the Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau at
[email protected]
.