Whenever Stephanie told a story, she would begin by saying, "It just happened the other day," even if it happened weeks, months, even years before. And whenever Jonas told a story, he would begin by saying, "It's a true story," even when he was just telling a joke. So when the pair of friends decided they would write a book together—about their silly and sometimes unfortunate adventures—they already knew what the title would be. But due to unforeseen circumstances, the pair never got to write their book. Until now.
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“A book that helps people know they can come out of any situation, no matter how bad it seems, and continue on a positive journey through life.”
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FORWARD BY THE AUTHOR
It has been twelve years since I first published this book, and whenever I revisit this story, I’m always struck by the raw emotional honesty—glimpses of emotional states that now feel foreign.
This book was written in real-time as I processed the experiences that form each chapter. Entire chapters are copied verbatim from my journals, and the in-between moments were composed therapeutically to process, connect, and make sense of what had happened. So while these raw emotions now feel foreign, they are no less foundations of my character’s heredity—the DNA that informs who I am and why I am. Imagine reading a book about one of your past lives. For me, that’s what revisiting this book is like.
As a reviewer once noted, you may find that the “style of writing is very unique, but a little depressing and sometimes hard to follow.” As hard as it may be to follow, the confusing narrative is by design—meant to mimic the confused emotional state I was experiencing in the moment that these events were happening. From one chapter to the next, the narrative might jump around forwards or backwards in time by days, weeks, months, or even years—mirroring the shaken rumination, upside down reality, and utterly confusing despair I was experiencing. To smooth out the narrative would be a tacit lie and a disservice to the story and to the readers.
With the gift of time, I’ve discovered the fascinating truth behind the adage “This too shall pass”—for all pain eventually gives way to new joy, which in turn eventually gives way to new pain. As for me, I look forward with anticipation and excitement to what’s next!
JONAS CAIN
January 2022
