The Gate of Heavenly Peace . . . and Other Stories

In March 2002, Adam M. Dean, an attorney living and working in Charleston, West Virginia, traveled to Beijing and Shanghai, China, as a member of a People to People Ambassador Programs delegation to discuss internet commerce and international law with Chinese lawyers. People to People was founded by President Eisenhower in 1956 to foster understanding among nations through firsthand encounters between ordinary citizens. In his case, Adam’s nine days in China impressed him so much that he used his experiences from the trip to craft his second collection of short stories. Adam’s alter ego, “Adam Chapman,” travels to China to do a business deal. Being disabled, “Adam” has his best friend, “Eddie North,” with him for a more practical reason than just to have a traveling companion. The other complication “Adam” has to deal with is due to the marvels of modern technology. Late one night, he receives a cell phone call from West Virginia. It’s “Dawn,” the girl who broke his heart.