Proof of Heaven (25 page)

T
he book you have in your hands in its present form was made possible by all of the talents of many capable editors and readers who helped me revise, refine, and in many cases, rewrite my crude first draft. I'd like to give my most heartfelt gratitude to my spectacular literary agent, Marly Rusoff, for not only being my first reader, editor, and tireless champion, but for having faith in me, even when the evidence “was not yet seen.” I'd also like to thank my editor at the Marly Rusoff Agency, Julie Mosow, whose patience, kindness, compassion, and understanding, not to mention her impeccable attention to detail, helped me write a better novel and become a better writer. Thank you to Allison Dickens, my freelance editor, for her insights, encouragement, and capable content editing. I'd like to express my utmost gratitude to my accomplished and brilliant editor extraordinaire, Lucia Macro, for her wit, speed, and intelligence, not to mention her ability to see my “potential potential” and help me get closer to it with her excellent edits and insights. I found a kindred spirit in her, and my writing is all the better because of her. I would also like to thank my precise and accomplished copy editor, Laurie McGee; Esi Sogah, Lucia's assistant; and all the people at HarperCollins who read, commented, copyedited, proofread, designed, promoted, and even filed, packaged, and shelved my book, especially Tavia Kowalchuk, Mary Schuck, Danielle Bartlett, Shawn Nicholls, and Megan Traynor. I appreciate it all. Thanks to my first readers who gave me the courage to submit my manuscript for publication: especially my husband, Greg Hackett Jr., and his father, Greg Hackett Sr., and my coworkers and dear friends, Mark Sullivan and Sandy Digman, as well as my family, Sean Curran (who took my frantic phone calls about this book, received drafts at midnight and commented on them by seven
A.M.
, and who is the reason there is a book in the first place. I believe his words were: “Screw it, kid. Do what you love. Write your own damn books.” I would also like to add that he is
not
a firefighter or a falling-down drunk, but like Sean Magee he is a font of wisdom; and he is a giant, bigger than life itself, with a heart of gold, a quick, dry wit, and a salty, salty Brooklyn mouth. He's also one hell of a dancer and all-around good time); his lovely wife, Tara Curran; and my little sister Eileen Curran (who also moonlit as my website designer, personal assistant, stylist, fan site administrator, and comic relief during some hellish late nights).

The
story
you have just read though would not be possible without the following people who inspired me, put up with me, and even saved me—from myself—more times than I can count, and a few who actually saved my life on more than a few occasions. As far as I am concerned the following people are all the proof I ever need: my tireless, selfless, faithful, and loving teacher, storyteller, and mother, Maggie Curran; my mysterious, tough-as-nails (though lovable), gregarious, constant, hardworking father (and world's best firefighter), Phil Curran; my siblings, Dr. Val Curran, Coleen Gillotti, Sean Curran, Maureen Gilmartin, Eileen Curran, Margie Heron, Suzy Fitzpatrick, and their spouses, Dawn Curran, Patrick Gillotti, Tara Curran, Kevin Gilmartin, Patrick Heron, and Ed Fitzpatrick; and finally my nieces and nephews, Molly, Kevin, Kiely, Abby, Elise, Macy, Liam, Rowan, and Declan (and all other expected and unexpected Curran progeny born during or after the printing of this book). And all the family members who do not share our last name, but who are no less a part of us, especially Jay and Skyler Driscoll, Dave Lorye, Ella Peddie, and our DFD family, especially the Morris, Melody, and Tomaino families.

Most especially, I want to thank my husband, Greg, who sat up with me and listened to me read each page and gave me his thumbs-down when I needed to see it. Most important, he encouraged me to never give up, especially on my two day jobs (not to mention the laundry, the cooking, or the housework), but mostly on myself, while writing this book. He cuts me no slack, but I am a better person—and writer—for it. He's not a man of many words, but he's my Gaspar, my Wiseman who saved me and my daughter, who “he loved in no time at all.” From behind his guitar,
Discover
magazine, and architecture books, he always makes me wonder with his many questions—
What if? Why not? Let's just see. Where to next? How 'bout we knock off work and laugh for a bit
. . . For all that and so much more, I thank you. I love you so much.

And last but not least, my children, ultimately the reason for this book, the reason for it all. You are my angels with dirty fingernails and scratched-up knees. Brigid, my strength, my rock, my brain, you are the toughest, brightest, most beautiful girl I know. Someday I hope to grow up to be just like you. You're more than I ever dreamed or hoped you would be. And more than I deserve. I am so lucky to be your mom. Colm, my joy, my peace, my heart, you keep me running and my heart beating strong. I would go to the moon and back again for you—especially on your rocket “bachine.” Anytime. I'm there. I love you both more than all the words in the world could express. But I hope someday, when you are old and gray and I am long gone, you will read the words in this book and you will know, and perhaps you might remember this: your mama loved you.
And it was proof. All the proof you ever needed.

T
his book is also written in loving memory of Martin “Butch” Melody, Local 801, Danbury, CT; Joseph Halas, Local 801, Danbury, CT; Daniel Pujdak, Ladder 146, Brooklyn, NY; and all the heroes of 9/11, New York, NY, as well as in loving memory of all the other sons and daughters of heartbroken mothers and fathers everywhere whose miracles came in a different form, especially, family friends and family members: James “Jimmy” O'Keefe, Greg and Patricia Ann Livolsi, Benjamin Bisbano, Christopher Hardy, Jonathan Brandis, Brian Simon, Michael and Daniel Fitzpatrick, and Brendan McQuade. To all others who have passed and whose
Book of Life
I have read and by doing so I have healed my broken heart: Valentine (Boppy) Marfiak, Eileen (Grandma) Marfiak, Paul Marfiak, Joseph Marfiak, Anne Marfiak McGuinness, Grace Marfiak, Patricia Marfiak, William (Papa) Curran, William Curran Jr., Kay Curran, Dorothy Curran, Catherine May Curran, Ronald Espitee, Theodore Cooke, Joseph Smith, Thomas Morris, Mary Beth McGowan, and Mary Eileen Hackett.

And for children, young and old, longing and loving their mysterious fathers and mothers. You are loved and you are wanted. Somewhere there is a family for you too.

And for all my readers everywhere: never stop looking for proof. It's right in front of you.
You'll see.

MARY CURRAN HACKETT
is the mother of two children, Brigid Claire and Colm Francis, and is married to Greg Hackett. She received an M.A. in English literature from the University of Nebraska and a B.A. from the University Honors Program at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Born and raised in Danbury, Connecticut, she has traveled extensively and lived in various places throughout the United States, but her favorite place in the world is home with her kids, her husband, and her stacks of books. Like her character Colm Magee, Mary suffers various heart and brain ailments, but thanks in part to her brother, a physician, as well as her own doctors, she now has a pacemaker and a heart that beats on its own—at least most of the time. This is her first novel.

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This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

PROOF OF HEAVEN.
Copyright © 2011 by Mary Curran Hackett. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, 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.

FIRST EDITION

ISBN 978-0-06-207998-5

EPub Edition © NOVEMBER 2011 ISBN: 9780062079992

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