Table of Contents
Foreword Joy-Ann Reid ix
Introduction 1
Part I Distant
The Birthday Present Niko Amber 9
Who Is My Father? Demetrea Hardiman, As Told to the Editor 15
Again Danielle Rene 23
A Lesson from My Mother Nicole Shealey 31
My Sugar Pie Desney Butler, As Told to the Editor 39
Here and There Simone I. Smith, As Told to the Editor 49
The Girl at the Window Sarah Tomlinson 59
I Was the Different One Nisa Rashid, As Told to the Editor 69
Part II Divorced
What's in a Name? Tamala Merritt, As Told to the Editor 75
Redefining Family Regina King, As Told to the Editor 81
Love, Peace, and Happiness … Despite My Father Cindy M. Birch 89
The Friendly Demon Kyra Groves 101
He Always Said, "I Love You" Tresa L. Sanders, As Told to the Editor 107
All Is Forgiven Cori Murray 119
Every Time You Go Away Alysse Elhage 131
Part III Deceased
My Daddy's Girl Still Kirsten West Savali 145
Going There Jenny Lee 153
You Did It Your Way Bridgette Bartlett Royall 163
Life, After Mai Huggins Lassiter, As Told to the Editor 167
That Day in April Wendy L. Wilson 175
The Way It Should Be Gabrielle Reece, As Told to the Editor 181
Death of a Stranger Regina R. Robertson 189
Acknowledgments 201
About the Contributors 205
About the Editor 209