ReShonda Tate Billingsley - I Know Ive Been Changed

POCKET BOOKS, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2006 by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-2317-8
ISBN-10: 1-4165-2317-0

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For my girls,

Mya and Morgan

Acknowledgments

I have been so blessed in my literary endeavors and there are so many people who have made my journey what it is. But first and foremost, thanks to God for opening doors and giving me the faith, strength and talent to walk through them.

It takes a strong man to deal with a woman like me, an I-want-it-all-and-know-I-can-have-it type of woman. Thanks to my strong man, Dr. Miron Billingsley, for weathering the storms and sticking by my side as I carve my niche in the publishing industry.

To my wonderful children, Mya and Morgan. I know I have to bribe you all to get you to deal with Mommys constant trips on the road, but know that I do it all for you. And I promise, itll all get better.

To the two most special women in my life, my mother, Nancy Blacknell and my sister, Tanisha Tate. For so long it was just us three against the world. Both of you have been in my corner, listening to my stories, reading my work since I was ten years old. Thank you for everything. Mama, maybe Ill sell enough books to finally buy you some new carpet (smile).

In this business you always hear people complaining about their agents and editors. I have no complaints because I have one of the best agents and editors in the industry. Sara Camilli, thank you for believing in my work and looking out for me along the way. Selena James, thanks for shaping my stories into bestsellers. I also have to say thanks to Brigitte Smith and everyone else at Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books. Thank you so much for believing in me. I hope I make our company proud.

To the best dang publicist this side of the Mississippi (okay, make that the world). Angie Pickett-Henderson, what can I say? You be puttin it down. (I wonder if my editor will let my Ebonics slip through?) Seriously, thanks for pushing my career to new heights, and pushing me (even when I didnt feel like being pushed). What would I do without you?

To my girl, my dear friend and literary colleague, Pat Tucker Wilson, your time is coming. Keep your head up. You are a talented writer and its just a matter of time before the world knows it too. To Jihad, thanks for the feedback and motivation in everything from writing to running. Thanks to all the other authors trying to do this literary thang with me and providing inspiration, support and advice along the way: Nina Foxx, Toschia, Victoria Christopher Murray, Zane, Eric Jerome Dickey, Monica Carter, Norma Jarrett, T.J. Butler, Cydney Rax, Yolanda Joe, Carl Weber, Karen Quinones Miller, Eric Pete, Curtis Bunn, my Strebor family and all the members of the Divine Literary Tour.

As always, much love goes to my chapter sorors: Jaimi Canady, Raquelle Wooten, Kim Patterson Wright, Clemelia Humphrey Richardson, Beverly Davis, Leslie Mouton, Kristie King, Trina McReynolds, Finisha Waits, and all of the other illustrious women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (especially Mu Kappa Omega), who have shown a sista nothing but love since my self-published days. To all of the other Divine Nine, especially the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, thanks for supporting my work.

To my Arkansas family in Smackover, Norphlet, and Mt. Pine, this is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual family members is purely coincidental. I dont want no drama at the family reunion. Special thanks to Aunt Birdell and Aunt Mel for all your love and support throughout the years.

To my sisters-in-law: Jacqueline McFadden, Della Jones, and Shawn Billingsley, thank you for supporting me and constantly promoting my books. To Xavier Billingsley, Sui, Roscoe, and Queena Jones, thanks for all your help while I was doing my book thing.

To all the book clubs and bookstoresman, I wish I could list you all, but there have been so many that showed me so much love, that it would take another book to list them all. So to those book clubs that had heated discussions over my books, I say thanks. I especially want to say thanks to those who invited me out: Brentwood Baptist Church, Brookhollow Baptist Church, Covenant Glenn, Mt. Horeb, St. Lukes, After-thoughts, North Harris Community College, Cy-Fair Community College (especially Ivra Black), Cush City, Onyx, Cover to Cover, Seasonal Readers, Ladies of Expression, CPT, Go On Girl, Black Orchids, Ivy Readers, Sistahs in Harmony, Coffee, Tea and Read, Divas Who Read, and Kismet book clubs. It was wonderful to hear you talking about my characters like they were real! And to the bookstores, thanks for helping catapult me to the bestseller lists. I hope we can do the same for I Know Ive Been Changed!

Of course, I cannot forget all my colleagues at Fox 26 News in Houston, especially Dart Bebel, Kathy Williams, Erin Anthony, Linda Drummond, Ray Williams, Ulonda Kirk, Dana Davis, Patti Shieh, Aprille Meek, Bernadette Brown, LaShauna Sewell, Damali Keith, Melinda Spaulding, Isiah Get Man Carey, Joe Lanford, John Donnelly, Greg Groogan, Xavier Kirts, Torrey Walker, Todd Smith, Ray Cortez, Carolyn Mungo, Jesse Casteneda, Charles Hobson, Harry Husley, Ruben Dominguez, Joe McGinty, Jose Grinan, Joel Mathaisan, Christina Garza and Lisa Whitlock. A big, big thanks to Rodney Big Rod Pearson, for reluctantly giving me story ideas even though he thought we were just talking. (Dont worry, no one will know which stories are yours unless you tell them).