Where the Whippoorwills Call

She looked to be about my age, and she was dressed in faded cutoff jeans and a pink halter top. Even in her bare feet, she stood as tall as I did, her dark brown hair hanging almost to her slim waist. Olive-green eyes surveyed my puny frame as I stood there dumbfounded. I'd never laid eyes on her before, but I knew that nothing from this moment on would ever be the same for me.

It's the summer of 1972, and fourteen-year-old Travis has become moody and disconnected with his family and the world in general. With a deadbeat dad and the guilt of his grandfather's death weighing heavy on his shoulders, Travis looks for acceptance in the older Jimmy, who happens to be flirting with the wrong side of the law. But Travis soon finds out that he may not be cut out for the bad boy image when the vindictive Jimmy gives him a busted nose and two black eyes.

Now, Travis must somehow avoid the bully while trying to save face in front of a beautiful girl that has befriended him. Still, Travis's biggest challenge may be trying to forgive himself while learning a few of life's lessons from wise, old Ira Yates.