That Good Night (30 page)

Dan Van Tassel, a retired Literature Professor and college dean gave me the go ahead without, thankfully, assigning a grade. Claudia Hornby, a friend and sailor was eager to help from day one. Steve McPherson, a yacht-broker, gave me a reality check on how the business works. Andy McPherson, golf partner—need I say more? Mary Kaskan, a newspaper editor who, bless her heart, forsook the blue pencil in favor of asking a lot of
who, what, when, where and whys
. John and Betty Probert, brother and sister-in-law for their suggestions and constant encouragement. James Chingos, MD for his advice and counsel which, hopefully, I got right. Then there is Karen Kaderavak, superb cellist and profound thinker who helped me tremendously with the flow of Charlie's tale. Bill Bolin of Island Packet Yachts and Edward Massey of Massey Yacht Sales for being sure I knew the wonders of the Island Packet 46. Dave Harrison, a Mainer through and through and one hell of a sailing buddy,
helped me understand—if that's possible—what it's like to be born and bred Downeast.

Thanks turns into deep appreciation for my wife and dear friend, Carmelita Britton for everything she had to deal with in shepherding me through the process of writing a book. From first draft to tenth draft, from rejections to publisher's acceptance, from edits to finished product, Carmelita was the lighthouse that guided me from the storm-tossed seas of creativity to the calm waters of a voyage ended.

Many thanks to my editor, Megan Trank and her crew at Beaufort Books for their collective patience, advice, and encouragement. That goes as well for my agent Doug Grad whose tenacity and boundless energy made sure that I'd reach shore in one piece.