The Dillons still send a Christmas card each year, one long letter that’s signed from Viv and written in her voice. It gives updates on Ash and Jimmy and recaps the year with some pretty priceless lines: “With all the jewelry she’s selling (and it’s a lot!), my mom says I’m still the most precious jewel of all.” “And, Praise be to God! It’s finally time to celebrate Jesus’ birthday!” It goes without saying that the card is decorated and designed by Ash, a Santa stamped on the outside of the envelope, a baby Jesus at the end of the letter.
I always want so badly to read this card out loud to Matt, since no one else could fully appreciate how ridiculous it really is, but I never bring it to his attention, afraid that mentioning the Dillons when I don’t need to will bring up bad memories. So I just leave it on top of the pile and pray that he sees it.
For the most part, I don’t miss the Dillons — not exactly, anyway. But there are times when Ash is the only person I want to talk to, when there’s something that only she would understand. Last week, we were at our block party and I watched Matt talking to our neighbors. He seemed a little too smiley, a little too friendly, like he was trying to win these people over, like he was campaigning. (We didn’t choose this district by accident. The real campaign will be along soon, I know.) And I was dying to call Ash and tell her about it, describe what it was like to watch Matt performing for them, auditioning in the middle of his real life. But I didn’t, obviously. I just turned and asked Ginny a question about Bunco and then nodded and smiled as she talked for the next twenty minutes.
—
Of all that I hate about DC, there are things I’ve learned to love, or at least to appreciate. There are fall days in October that are so beautiful they take your breath away. The sky is blue and the sun is strong and the air is finally the tiniest bit crisp. Most of the East Coast is already bundled up in their winter coats, but we get to appreciate the last of the sunshine, to hold on to it a little while longer.
And then there’s the way that people come here, earnest and full of dreams, believing that they can make a difference. That’s the thing about DC — people are always leaving but that makes space for the new transplants, the crowds that keep flooding in, full of energy and wonder.
You can see it on their faces as they walk down the street. You can spot the new people from the way they smile at the monuments, how they stare at the White House as they pass outside the gates, feeling thrilled and thinking, I’m here, I’ve made it. That’s what I see, mostly, when I walk around now, which is for the best, because it’s not easy to stay annoyed in the face of so much optimism. It’s hard to ignore that much hope.
Acknowledgments
I owe so much to my editor, Jenny Jackson, and my agent, Julie Barer. Both offered encouragement, wise notes, and patience with each draft of this book, and I’m honored to have such brilliant women on my team.
I am (as always) incredibly grateful for the support and kindness of my family. Thank you to my wonderful parents, Pat and Jack Close; my brothers, Chris and Kevin Close; Susan Close; the adorable Ava and John Henry Close; and Scott and Carol Hartz.
Many people were gracious enough to share their stories and experiences of working on campaigns and in the administration with me. Thanks to Peter Newell, Kenny Thompson, Casey Breitenbeck, and Bobby Schmuck for putting up with my strange questions and helping me figure out the right career paths for my characters. And while I’m at it, thanks to all of the great people from Obama-world who have adopted me into the group — you are all so much nicer (and much less annoying) than the characters in my book.
I am indebted to Steve Brown, who took time from his busy schedule to explain everything I needed to know about the Railroad Commission and Texas Politics.
Moriah Cleveland is an amazing writer-friend, and I’m so appreciative to her for always being my first reader and offering edits and e-mails to help me along the way.
No place feels like home until you find true girlfriends. Thank you to all of the Muttons — Amy Cogan, Chrissie Graham, Emily Hines, Megan Hughes, Theresa Lepow, Stephanie Schott, and (DC transplant) Mary Colleen Bragiel for helping to change my mind about this place. In the DC game of highs and lows, the time I got to spend with all of you was my high. My low is obviously that everyone keeps moving away. Come back, please!
I wrote much of this book while thinking of Brandon Lepow, which is part of the reason that Jimmy shares Brandon’s hometown, job at Facebook, love of colorful socks, and incredible charm. If I ever really tried to model a character after Brandon, no one would believe that one person could be so kind, generous, and funny. DC was lucky to have you and better because you were here. You are so missed, my friend.
It is a privilege to work with the talented and lovely team at Knopf and Vintage. Many thanks to Sonny Mehta, Paul Bogaards, Ruth Liebman, Nicholas Latimer, Chris Gillespie, Julie Kurland, Emma Dries, Helen Tobin, Brittany Morrongiello, Danielle Plafsky, Andrea Robinson, and Alex Houston. I’m especially grateful to Kelly Blair, who worked tirelessly to design this perfect and beautiful cover.
Wrigley Close-Hartz is the best office mate I could ask for and having him curled up under my desk while I write makes my days so much better.
Finally, a huge thank-you to Tim Hartz, who always offers love, support, and calming words when I need them the most. I couldn’t have written this book without you answering every question that I shouted downstairs, responding to midday texts about my characters, offering ideas and anecdotes, and reading passages for immediate feedback. I’m so happy that you’re my husband.
A NOTE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Close is the best-selling author of Girls in White Dresses and The Smart One. Born and raised on the North Shore of Chicago, she is a graduate of Boston College and received her MFA in fiction writing from The New School in 2005. She worked in New York in magazines for many years. She now lives in Washington, DC, and teaches creative writing at George Washington University.
An Alfred A. Knopf Reading Guide
The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close
The questions, discussion topics, and reading list that follow are intended to enhance your reading group’s discussion of The Hopefuls, the timely and entertaining new novel by Jennifer Close, best-selling author of Girls in White Dresses.
Discussion Questions
1. Who are the “hopefuls” in the title?
2. In the Washington, DC, of the novel, most people are from elsewhere — away from home and family. How does this contribute to the intensity of their relationships?
3. On this page, Matt tries to cheer up Beth about their move to DC: “ ‘We’re here,’ he said. ‘And home is wherever we’re together.’ ” Beth doesn’t quite buy it. Why not?
4. As a spouse who’s not particularly interested in politics, Beth feels like an outsider. What should she have done to find her own tribe — or does that seem impossible in the atmosphere the novel describes?