Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead (36 page)

Authors: Saralee Rosenberg

BOOK: Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead

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Saralee Rosenberg

“Absolutely.” Beth kissed baby Alex’s head. “About as much as you would have believed it if I told you that you would be a grandmother.”

“Good point.” Mindy laughed. “Although you know what’s even more unbelievable than that? That we ended up as best friends.”

“You’re right.
That
I never would have believed!”

“And what about your being back with Richard and so happy?

Could you have seen that coming?”

“Not in a million years.” Beth swallowed. “I forgot we could be so good together. He’s been wonderful to me. The move out here was the best thing that ever happened to us.”

“Only one way to explain it,” Mindy said as she nuzzled Alex.

“It had to be bashert. Oh look! He’s grabbing my finger. Such a smart boy you are.”

“Of course he’s smart,” Beth beamed. “He’s my son.”

“And my godson.” Mindy took him. “I think he wants us to dance.”

“Be careful . . . he might spit up on you.”

“It’s fine.” She twirled him. “I’ve always gone for guys who drool.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, may I please have your attention?”

the DJ announced. Right now we’re going to dedicate a song to a very special guest. And to make the introduction, please give a warm welcome to a good friend of the Diamond family, Aaron Sherman.”

“What’s going on?” Beth asked Mindy.

“How should I know? It’s your party.”

“Hey. How ya doin’?” Aaron adjusted the mike stand. “I’m Aaron. Just wanted to say mazel tov, Jessie. This is the most awesome bat mitzvah I’ve ever been to. Actually, it’s the only one I’ve ever been to, but you did an amazing job today. Almost as good as me! Anyway, for those of you who don’t know me, music Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead

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has been like my whole life . . . really helped me get through some rough times . . . but you gotta have good people in your life, too, and there’s this one great lady I couldn’t have gotten by without. So I want to dedicate this next song to her for helping me see what I’m all about, what I can do with my life. Her name is Mindy, and believe it or not, she’s my new mom. Mindy, you’re the best! I’m never going to disappoint you. Hope you like this one from Boyz II Men. It’s called, “Song for Mama.”

“Oh my God.” Mindy burst into tears and shook so that she frightened Alex, who wailed for his mother. “Oh no. Sorry sweetie . . . sorry. Here you go.” She handed him to Beth. “See?

He only wants his mommy. They can’t live without us, not even for a second.”

“Hey, little man.” Beth swayed with him. “I’m here . . . you’re okay.”

Aaron surprised Mindy with a tap on her shoulder. “So do you like wanna dance?”

“Oh my God, yes!” She held out her hand. “You’ve made this such a great day for me. I’m so proud of you.”

“I’m proud of me, too,” he laughed. “I hate talkin’ in front of lots of people.”

“Well, you’d never know it. You were great. Artie! Over here!

Get the photographer. Beth! Move closer. It’s mother and son’s first dance. I want to capture this moment forever!”

“She is so damn bossy,” Beth said to Aaron.

“I know,” he said, then shrugged, “but things didn’t start getting good until I listened to her.”

“Same with me.” Beth kissed her son. “Same with me.”

Acknowledgments

Dear Readers,

In previous books, I have thanked family, friends, and colleagues for their love, encouragement, and support. But enough about them. It’s time to acknowledge people that I may never meet but who mean the world to me—my readers. All ten of you. Oh fine, there are more, but according to my publisher, not as many as there need to be. More on that later.

Meanwhile, I want you to know how much your e-mails and postings inspire me. Most are kindhearted and full of praise, but even the ones suggesting I would be better suited to selling panty hose at Macy’s are read and considered. With such busy lives, that anyone would take time to express their views on my books is a huge boost (disclaimer

# 1: the really bitchy messages get printed and used to line the counter when I shuck corn).

But here’s what I love best: when readers share details of their lives and tell me how touched they were because they could relate to my stories and characters. Some even accuse me of eavesdropping! Wish I could take them all to lunch to say thanks (disclaimer # 2: lunch is out until my ass is no longer the same shape as my chair).

Now about this new novel: it took a year to write and revise, and there’s a good chance I went through so much paper we lost a tree in Oregon. But if it makes you laugh and cry and you end up loving it, let me know. Just as important, let your friends and family know. With fierce competition for attention from the three Is: the Internet, iPods and
Idol
, emerging writers like myself are getting lost in the shuffle. Your word-of-mouth praise can make all the difference.

Again, thank you for reading, writing, caring, and sharing. Otherwise I
would
be selling panty hose at Macy’s, not that helping women look ten pounds thinner isn’t a noble cause.

Best,

Saralee Rosenberg

[email protected]

www.saraleerosenberg.com

September, 2007

About the Author

SARALEE ROSENBERG
is also the

author of
A Little Help From Above,

Claire Voyant,
and
Fate and Ms. Fortune.

She promises you laughter, or your

money back (no, just kidding about the

refund). For a good time, visit her web-

site at
www.saraleerosenberg.com.

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for

exclusive information on your favorite

HarperCollins author.

Also by Saralee Rosenberg

Fiction

Fate and Ms. Fortune

Claire Voyant

A Little Help From Above

Credits

Cover design by Mumtaz Mustafa

Cover photograph © Gale Wisdom / Alamy

DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD. Copyright © 2008 by Saralee Rosenberg. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

Adobe Acrobat eBook Reader June 2008 ISBN 978-0-06-169548-3

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