Ascared

Is what's about to happen a one-off, Michael, or is this going to become a thing?(Note: Ascared is a short story. It is also available in the author's 10-story collection, Daggyland #3.)* * *In this neighborhood, nothing is ever supposed to change, and outsiders are not welcome. Everyone tells you what to do and how to be.Michael wants to be a good kid. And someday, a man.He listens to everyone. Except himself.When a fly ball goes astray, Michael's teenaged world goes kablooey, and nothing seems to make much sense anymore.Giuliana shows up at the neighborhood block party in a beautiful black dress. And Michael finds himself harboring a strange new desire.Not for her. Not exactly.Sometimes, boys just want to wear leather. Is that so wrong?An eye-opening coming-of-age story from the nabe one block over.* * *D'Agnese writes the most unusual and interesting books. —Bookviews