Control: Death
I, Dalton Lewis, aka Daniel Trump, wanted to spend a few minutes during this holiday season to remember some people I loved who are no longer with us. Some of them died recently, and others died a long time ago. I just wanted to note who they were and remember them always:
First, Addison’s mother died this year. She was in the hospital regularly this summer, but they didn’t know what was wrong. They didn’t know that this was this serious or that she could die. Addison is my best reader: she reads all my novels and gives comments, telling me what works and what doesn’t work about each novel. She is now an orphan.
Second, I wanted to mention my grandmother — my nana, Jean Trump. She was a little lady who taught political science to high school students. Some of the people in Muskegon, Michigan used to say that she was one of the best teachers there — they specifically told me that. She loved white wines and reading the New York Times and arguing for the liberal agenda. I remember grading her tests for her and playing bridge while eating apple pie that she made from scratch or going to her house’s basement to read or daydream. She was a true character and a real person.
Third, Keith Meyer. He went to college with me at the University of Iowa. We both wanted to be writers. He had this crazy idea that our dorm floor — Stanley Seven — would make a spy movie starring all kinds of celebrities. That movie never happened. Neither of us became famous or rich — not yet at least. He loved comics and geek culture and Hong Kong action movies and indie movies at the Bijou. He helped coordinate a writing group in Iowa. He was a kind and wonderful person. I remember when he, another friend, and I were riding in the car to a local town festival listening to the Unforgiven Too by Metallica. Good times.
Fourth, Rylan Hooke. Rylan was a friend of mine — for life, I thought. He was one of the eccentric outsider group that I was in. He role-played with me during high school and mowed our lawn. His character died when he wasn’t at a role-playing session because I wanted the other players to resurrect him — but they never did. His sister was a model. He may or may not have hated himself for being gay — but who the hell cares? He was a wonderful person.
Fifth, Aaron Furness. I knew him in elementary school and middle school. He was a kind and giving and wonderful person who cared for everyone around him. He was the only popular person who was kind and giving to all the kids. In fact, he was the only person in school who was nice to every person in every group or clique. He was that great. He died after a career defending his country. Thank you, Aaron Furness.
I write books. You can read them or not, as you wish. So far not enough of you pay for them to make this a career. I understand. Just try and remember these people, just a little.
Thanks, and take care, friends.
