But as we get onto the Queensboro Bridge and I look out the window at the Manhattan skyline, I also find myself smiling. In the back of my mind, I can’t help but feel as though we’ve made it—even after all the fear, and the separation, and the uncertainty, we’ve somehow made it out on the other side. I think about my parents picking Sophie up from the airport a few hours from now, and about all the things I’m gonna do with my future—because as long as I’m here, and as long as we hold on to the hope that Ma and Pa will one day return, their American dream lives on.

I roll my window all the way down. With the wind blowing in my face, I start to imagine a day when I’ll be looking at this skyline next to Sophie and my parents. I start dreaming of a life I know I’ll be wishing for every single day from this moment on—one where we will all be back here in New York, together again.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I DON’T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHEN OR HOW I started dreaming of becoming a published author. My earliest memories of writing are from my old home in Mexico, where I would sit in front of our family computer for hours at a time and type out short stories. I must’ve been seven or eight years old, and in the time that has passed since then, there have been so many people who have helped me get to where I am today.

This book is, first and foremost, for my family. None of what I have now would be possible without the hard work and sacrifice of my parents. Ma, thank you for being my most enthusiastic reader and biggest supporter. Pa, thank you for always making sure we had everything we needed and more. Thank you to my sister, Alejandra, who has always looked out for me, and to my brother, Fernando, who has always loved my stories.

My agent, Pete Knapp, read this book in one sitting and was its fiercest supporter from the start. Thank you for believing in me, Pete. I’m eternally grateful for all your passion, kindness, and guidance, and I’m excited to continue bringing books to the world together! To everyone at Park & Fine: Thank you for giving me and my stories such a wonderful home.

I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with two amazing editors on this book: Laura Schreiber and Farrin Jacobs. Laura, thank you for treating this story with such passion and care. Farrin, thank you for giving me such a warm welcome to Little, Brown, and for trusting and challenging me in equal measure. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together!