Something About Ann: Stories of Love and Brotherhood

Something About Ann is a historical fiction novella with eleven short stories that follows a group of African-American soldiers who faced traumatic experiences in Vietnam but remained close after returning to the States. Violence and turmoil continue to haunt the soldiers as they try to normalize their lives. Sometimes relying on the help of each other, and sometimes relying on the skills they gained in combat, most prevail.

In the novella, Something About Ann, a black Vietnam veteran and a Vietnamese woman fall in love not knowing they were once combatants. Clarence Bankston returns from the Vietnam War shaken by his experience. After seeing Ann Minh, a Vietnamese, at a party, he is repulsed because she is a reminder of a war he does not want to relive. Once she initiates a conversation, though, they bond, recognizing both have been affected by the conflict. The peace of mind each seeks, however, eludes them as their pasts unfold.

In the story, Lucky, a veteran, Raphael “Lucky” Holland, finds his niche as a stick-up artist. His luck runs out when he tries to rob a stranger whose past is darker than Holland’s. In a Sound Decision, Marcus Glover restrains from fighting a tormentor because he is haunted by a prior confrontation that may have resulted in a death.

Xavier Warfield is a veteran and a promising pool hustler. In The Education of Xavier Warfield, he finds the most valuable lessons in life are not learned in the pool room when he falls for a lady with a questionable past. With One Exception tells of an encounter that begins on shaky terms between a militant African-American and a white Vietnam veteran but evolves as the militant helps the white veteran fight his demons.

The Gift finds Myron Turner, a recluse and an empath, confronted by an older empath when he tries to suppress his abilities. Leroy Casper is enjoying The Good Life when a past association barges into his life shattering the peace he has established and causes him to make drastic decisions. In The Tell, Elgin learns that a “tell” applies not only to poker but to life— too late.

Ralph Gaines in The Best Seat In the House, is down on his luck after a lofty law career and only has a reserved seat in a bar as a symbol of respect. When a young bully commandeers the chair, the elderly Gaines snaps, simultaneously solving the seat issue and a personal problem. The Last Time I Saw Willie, is a coming of age account of a young middle-class African-American who learns the importance of dedication and persistence when he meets Willie Stinson, an orphan.

A Good Day To Be A Man shows that physical confrontation is not necessarily the path to manhood. In Slow Songs, Lieutenant Raymond Williams faces his worst fear in Vietnam, and it has nothing to do with his personal welfare.