About 35 people showed up, filling the small space to capacity. So many friends, people I haven't seen in years, in some cases decades. From Brooklyn, Manhattan, Long Island, New Jersey, and as far away as Philadelphia. My voice is weak and there wasn't a microphone but none of that seemed an issue as I read an excerpt from my novel and answered really good questions. What can I say? The bookstore sold out its stock and then sold some of my personal stash.
But one of the most touching moments for me was meeting Michelle, a fellow survivor of Medullary Thyroid Cancer, who's from Texas but happened to be in the area and came with her husband Sam. I'd never met her before and here I was able to share my comedy about cancer with her. She's a five-year survivor and going on strong.
Also reunited with fellow Park Slopians I hadn't seen in more than a decade. Lots of former Associated Press colleagues, and Binghamton alumni. Not to mention my family from Long Island.
So last night was a homecoming and a literary debut I'll never forget. Thanks to more people than I can reasonably mention here. Here's some photos taken by friends, including my faithful matey, Douglas Boettner.
David Kalish is author of the new comedic novel, The Opposite of Everything, finalist in the Somerset Fiction Awards, which can be purchased on Amazon or at bookstores. For more information, click here.
