In Short Stories About Us, the lens is turned on communication, identity, infidelity, technology, rape, racism, love, desire, sex, regret, and more in this stimulating mix of insightful tales, as lived by a multicultural cast of American and sometimes unexpected characters. A unique bonus section titled “TalkFest” offers the author’s lively, sometimes hilarious views on the issues raised in the stories. These are presented as short essays meant to spur further reflection on the stories, and as a jumping-off point for online discussion between readers and the author.
Print and/or Digital editions available at:
and other bookstores.
Individual stories from the collection are also available for purchase and download in PDF format—readable on computer or tablet. Each tale from the book includes its corresponding TalkFest essay(s). See the synopses below, with links to the pages where you can purchase each story.
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Future Love:
Set in Miami, Florida, this story recounts the dilemma experienced by a married Cuban-American woman who falls in love with her Argentinian-American lover. But she adores her husband and refuses to leave him. When the lovers can’t find a way out, she agrees to clone herself for him—with unforeseeable results.
Carrot and Tomato:
In the back bed of a farmer’s pickup truck, a tomato notices a carrot’s feathery green rosette peeking out from the cloth covering his basket. As it happens, upon arriving at the farmers’ market, they are set side by side on the table of offerings. She thinks he’s sexy; he thinks she’s ripe. Their love story has just begun.
Current Love:
A Los Angeles man and a Turkish-American woman meet at an art opening, enjoy the interlude, and plan to see each other again. They argue, make up, attend a workshop together, have satisfying sex—but it doesn’t work out. Have they ever even met in person?
Iza:
Part I—Wolf at her Door: At 19, Haitian-American Iza (short for Isabelle) meets an African-American man 14 years her senior on her college campus. She becomes infatuated with him but resists his advances. Two years later they reconnect—and he rapes her in her apartment. The long-lasting effects of the violent assault are revealed over the next 15 years.
Part II—Devils’ Dance: Iza’s life and relationships with four men, pre- and post-rape, are revisited as she comes of age.
Master Sun and Ms. Moon:
The Sun becomes besotted with the Moon, and she with him. When he asks her to leave her place in the sky to come revolve around him forever, an identity crisis ensues.
The Transformation:
Lena, an African-American woman, is on vacation in Santiago de Cuba with her Spanish-American husband Alejandro. They are thrilled to be there; the only problem is she keeps being mistaken for a Cuban prostitute. After a time, a transformation—for her and her husband—begins to take place.
A Better Place:
Plump but fit, African-American Catherine shares an apartment with her Irish-American comedian roommate Joe. He’s mad about her, but she doesn’t know it. She grew up in a racist Irish New York town, and the chip on her shoulder is heavier than a bus. He comes from narcissistic parents, who barely knew he existed. They’ve both got issues. Can the gap be bridged?
Violin and the Sexy Sax:
A beautiful violin in the throes of a torrid affair with a sexy saxophone comes close to leaving her husband, Bass.
Honestly:
A bitter, elderly Haitian woman must deal with her growing crisis: At 82 she’s come to the realization that she can’t stand her husband. What should she do?
The Invitation:
Eight friends receive an enigmatic invitation from a friend to attend his funeral. The host turns out to be Narcissus. But what are the true identities of his guests? A Greek mythology comes to life, replete with gods from around the world.