In the summer of 2007, she separated from Alex. Twenty-seven now, she lives in Vermont, where she works at a bakery specializing in the confection of lemon squares and muffins. She also helps out at a nearby farm, tapping maple trees for syrup and tending to the goats and cows. We talk almost every day, Sally wry about herself and courageous even during her periods of retreat and loss. When I told her I was writing about the summer of her first crack-up, she said, "I like the idea that you're thinking so much about me." Then, after pondering it for a while, she added, "I want you to use my real name."

Excerpted from Hurry Down Sunshine, by Michael Greenberg. Copyright © 2008 Michael Greenberg. Published by Other Press LLC.