Memories of E. Lynn Harris

On my way home from work today, a UPS package greeted me at my door. Inside was E. Lynn Harris' last book, "In My Father's House," written before his untimely death on July 24, 2009. As soon as I flipped the book cover over, I smiled and reminisced on the time I met him in person and another time when I interviewed him.

Right after I graduated from college in 2003, "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted: A Memoir" released, and he came to a Chicago south side Border's at 2210 W. 95^th St., to do a reading. The bookstore was packed, and he grinned from ear to ear and thanked us for coming. Even some of the employees who didn't know of Harris stopped to listen in and find out why the entire café was packed and spilling over into the magazine area.

I remember him cracking a joke about meeting Gabrielle Union, who suggested that he do a movie about one of his books. He laughed about it and told us if he didn't love men, he'd have definitely pursued Gabrielle Union. The crowd cracked up at his humor and respected him for speaking unashamedly about himself. I'm sure she'd have been flattered as well.

Afterwards, he signed books and I remember him looking up at me and asking, "Now how do you say this?" and looked at the post-it with my name. I responded and he said, "Beautiful." And all I kept thinking was, "This guy should be on somebody's toothpaste commercial because his smile lights up a room."

Last year, I wanted to interview him because I appreciated his work so much and knew he was coming out with "Basketball Jones." It was one of the easiest interviews I'd ever completed because he responded so quickly and was encouraging about the invitation. He was also friendly, professional and straight to the point about the world of fiction, self-publishing, why he writes about down low men and joked about one of his book characters that he'd date. I ended that call (after the recorder was off) by telling him just what I'd been thinking the day I met him at Border's-about that wonderful smile. He paused and gushed "Thank you. What a nice thing to say!"

I still have a recording of that interview that I treasure but haven't played since I heard the news. But I'm glad I was able to talk to him and give him those kind words before his passing. And I'm flattered that I have the opportunity to read a reviewer copy of "In My Father's House" before it releases to the public in June 2010. But more importantly, I think it's special to put a voice, face and story behind his name. We lost one great African-American fiction author, and the world of fiction is missing him-including myself.