This novel is the culmination of writing that began with a pledge made in the days immediately following September 11th, 2001, to my friend, Todd D. Pelino, who was lost in the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Sitting along the banks of the Navesink River in his adopted town of Fair Haven, New Jersey, I made a vow to keep his memories alive for his children through the stories and experiences shared during our formative years at Colgate University. These joyful stories are juxtaposed against my individual experiences in the weeks immediately following the events of September 11th, in a struggle to deal with the harsh realities of losing my dearest friend. “The Beginning” is the first chapter in retelling the stories of our first semester at Colgate University, during that truly magical period of new friendships, growing independence, and reluctant maturity, all shared amongst an exceptional group of young men. As I view this as Todd’s story, 100% of net proceeds from any sales will be donated to the Todd D. Pelino Scholarship Fund at Colgate University.
