This one’s for the boys–

my brothers, my brothers-in-law,

my friends, my cousins,

my husband, my sons.

To all you members of the male gender

who have been my friends,

brothers, and comrades throughout my life,

I dedicate this book in particular gratitude,

with thanksgiving to the Father who made you,

and to all those boys

trying to survive the streets of New York City,

some of whom I knew for a brief time,

and of course,

to the Friars.