by John Casey
First published 2021
Ed Wakefield pulls into the Wilson Automotive parking lot, trailing behind a friend whose aggressive temperament reminds him of an ancient Scottish warrior. His companion heads toward a confrontation with local troublemakers, and Ed knows he will get dragged into the mess. This captures Ed's predicament perfectly. Recently divorced, he has settled in Fort Smith, Arkansas, hoping to find peace and figure out his career path. Ed prefers avoiding conflict when left to his own devices. Yet he cannot help gravitating toward people whose lives spiral into disorder and drama. Some misplaced sense of loyalty keeps him connected to these chaotic individuals. Their problems become his problems. Disruptive incidents keep shattering the calm existence he craves. Each crisis forces Ed to make difficult choices while he grapples with an uncertain future. The four stories follow his ongoing struggle between his desire for tranquility and his compulsion to remain involved with people who bring turbulence into his world.
Genres: fiction, drama, literary-fiction, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Arkansas, Fort Smith, Wilson Automotive
Period: contemporary
126 pages · Paperback · John Casey