Goldeline by Jimmy Cajoleas (i read books txt) 📕

he fidgets his feet a little under the covers, I know he’s actually asleep. But as I slide out from under the covers, Tommy, still sleeping, grabs hold of my foot and kisses it once softly. My heart clenches in my chest. I don’t know. It almost makes me want to stay. But I pull myself free, fix the blanket around him, tucking him in like I know he likes. I shut the door quiet behind me and try not to ruin it all by crying.

In my room I pack a light bag, just a spare dress, a jug of water, some bread, my favorite fairy book. I put on Zeb’s momma’s cloak, smoke-colored and easy to miss. I guess it’s mine now, as much as anything is. It’s still dark night out, the moon a gray smudge under the clouds. Rain sizzles on the roof, just enough sound to cover my footsteps down the stairs, the door creaking shut. Outside I feel free already. The streets are empty, there’s no one to catch me.

I open my mouth and taste the wild free drops of the rain. They splash on my nose and I laugh and hum one of Momma’s songs, the nothingsong, just me and the owls and bats and all the hidden creatures in the night. I know there’s a road outside of town, and past that some woods, dark and lovely, and I don’t know but maybe there is a light for me to follow, a candle stuck in a window somewhere, calling me home.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to Mary Marge Locker, genius and love of my heart. Thanks to Mom and Dad and Chris, the best family a guy could ask for. Gigantic thanks to Jess Regel, the greatest ever, without whom none of this would be possible. From the bottom of my heart, Jess, I cannot thank you enough. Thanks to Andrew Eliopulos for the keen eye and brilliant editorial work. This book wouldn’t be what it is without your kindness, patience, and heart. Thanks to Matt Wise for the earliest faith, for being the first person to give me a shot. Thanks to Matt Saunders for the most amazing cover of all time. Thanks to Megan Abbott, for the friendship and guidance and more than I can even begin to list right now. Thanks to William Boyle, the best dude in the entire world. Thanks to Jack Pendarvis, forever and always my friend and hero. Thanks to Liam Baranauskas, the wise and brave. Thanks to McKay McFadden, E. M. Tran, Brendan Steffan, and the esteemed members of the Good Idea Club. I didn’t know there were people like you guys in the world, and I’ll never stop being grateful. Thanks to P. S. Dean, brother of my soul, as well as all the Heroes of 804. Thanks to Len Clark always, my first-ever creative partner. Thanks to Michael Bible for opening this door wide for me, and for loving books just the same way I do. Seriously, Michael, I really, really appreciate it. Thanks to Robert Savoie, the truest friend anyone ever had. Thanks to Gary Sheppard for keeping me sane. Thanks to Phil McCausland, because wow, what a guy. Thanks to David Swider, the best boss ever. Thanks to Tom Franklin, friend and fearless leader. Thanks to Jay Watson for the time and edits and difficult questions, most of which I found a way to answer. Thanks to Douglas Ray, my brilliant forever-friend. Thanks to Gerry Wilson and Stephanie Seabrook, my first guides into the writing world. Thanks to Nic Brown for the wisdom and hangouts. Thanks to Bryony Harrington, who inspired so much in this book. Thanks to Bethan Raines, dear friend so full of grace. Thanks to Alex Taylor for the first read, when it was just an idea. Thanks to Mark Linkous, because his world is one of my favorites to escape into. Thanks to Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster, whose songs lived in my brain the whole time I was writing this. Thanks to John Bellairs. Thanks to Lewis Nordan. Thanks to Mermee and Yia Yia, who I miss with all my heart. Thanks be to God. And thanks to all the readers of the world, young and old. This story is yours.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JIMMY CAJOLEAS grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. He earned his MFA from the University of Mississippi and now lives in Brooklyn. This is his first novel. Visit him online at www.jimmycajoleas.com.

Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.

CREDITS

Cover art by Matt Saunders

Cover design by Katie Fitch

COPYRIGHT

GOLDELINE. Copyright © 2017 by Jimmy Cajoleas. Illustrations copyright © 2017 by Matt Saunders. 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 hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

www.harpercollinschildrens.com

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017932861

ISBN 978-0-06-249875-5

EPub Edition © October 2017 ISBN 9780062498779

17  18  19  20  21    CG/LSCH    10  9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

FIRST EDITION

ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

Australia

HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty. Ltd.

Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street

Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

www.harpercollins.com.au

Canada

HarperCollins Canada

2 Bloor Street East - 20th Floor

Toronto, ON M4W 1A8, Canada

www.harpercollins.ca

New Zealand

HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand

Unit D1, 63 Apollo Drive

Rosedale 0632

Auckland, New Zealand

www.harpercollins.co.nz

United Kingdom

HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF, UK

www.harpercollins.co.uk

United States

HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

195 Broadway

New York, NY 10007

www.harpercollins.com