Who I Kissed (23 page)

This story is a work of fiction. Which of course means I made it up.

The idea for this story came about because my son suffers from a peanut allergy and also from asthma. Which may sound kind of creepy given what happens to Alex in my story, but I talked to my son when I decided to write this book. We discussed awareness. And the fact that like Alex, he always has to be careful. Always. I want nothing more than for him to be safe. That’s why it’s so important to carry EpiPens. And inhalers for asthmatics.

In North America, many, many school kids have to deal with deadly food allergies. And yes, I’ve heard and understand the thought behind the other side of the peanut butter story. Parents who are put off by the inconvenience of supplying nut-free lunches and snacks every day at school. “My kid will only eat PB and J sandwiches,” is something I’ve heard before.

Well. It is an inconvenience. I’m sorry you might need to find something else for your child to eat at school, but I feel fortunate that my son goes to a peanut-free school. I would really like my son to be alive after lunch period. I want him to live a long, long time. And I’m sure no one wants their child to be responsible for someone else’s anaphylactic reaction. That’s a lot of guilt for a food choice.

A reaction is a worst-case scenario. Yes. It is. But there are some children (and adults) who really are that allergic. Some who can get very sick from breathing the smell or touching the hand of a child who’s been eating peanuts. Are we willing to risk it?

And so, the question: can someone with a food allergy die from kissing someone who has eaten that allergen? I don’t know. I certainly hope not. But it has to be possible. While writing
Who
I
Kissed
, I heard a number of stories from people who had experienced anaphylactic shock from second-hand contact with an allergen.

When I recently had my son retested for allergies, his allergist informed me that a vaccine for the peanut allergy is being developed. I don’t know how close the vaccine is, but I hope it comes to fruition. I hope that this story never becomes a reality.

First of all, I have to thank my favorite son, Max, for allowing me to make up a story based on something that he has to deal with on a daily basis: allergies and asthma. Max also introduced me to the fascinating world of competitive swimming and what it’s like to be a swim mom. Maxwell is a great beam of light on this earth, and I hope he shines for a long, long time.

And of course, thanks to all the wonderful people at Sourcebooks who helped bring this story to life. My lovely editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, for giving the go-ahead to write the story and helping me to shape it. I love being a part of the Sourcebooks family and thank Dominique Raccah, Todd Stocke, Kay Mitchell, Derry Wilkins, Aubrey Poole, Kristin Zelazko, and Kelly Barrales-Saylor. Also, thanks to Sean Murray and everyone else on the sales team I haven’t met, the wonderful cover designers, and the many people behind the scenes who helped bring this book to life. Special thanks also to my agent, Jill Corcoran, for always looking after me and my stories.

I’d also like to thank Todd Melton, Head Coach of the amazing Foothills Stingrays Swim Club in Okotoks, Alberta, for sharing his thoughts and his tangible passion for swimming with me (and my son). For sharing swim lingo and reminding me that going back after a break would feel “like ass.” Also, thanks to swim coaches Thomas South (for
1984
) and Emma Hesterman, who make FSSC the best swim club around. And for giving me a few writing ideas too.

Special thanks to Denise Jaden and Jennifer Laugherty for reading this story in the early phases and helping me find my way. Also, thanks to Kate Messner for words of wisdom about journalism ethics. Thanks to Taryn Albright for helping me understand the way the US swim circuit works. Thanks to Laura Hughes and the contribution of her special name,
Lainoza
.

Lastly, thanks to my husband, Larry, who supports my quirky habits and loves our son just as fiercely as I do. And for always remembering to ask if we have the EpiPen packed.

Janet Gurtler lives in Calgary, Canada, deliciously close to the Canadian Rockies, with her husband, her son, and a chubby Chihuahua named Bruce, who looks suspiciously like Fredrick. Janet loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at
www.janetgurtler.com
. You can also find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @janetgurtler.