Four Handmade Tales From the Heart of America

Hearts come in all conditions. Some are blooming and in love. Some are bitter and hateful. Other hearts are cracked, patched up with bandages, stained, or pump blood erratically through bodies. Some hearts are looking for soulmates while other hearts want solitude and privacy. Some hearts are singing fantastic melodies while others are spewing noise. The characters in these four tales are all prospecting for their heart's desires, trying to keep the good they have and rooting out the bad.

Alfonzo Barrett rents properties and wants a good tenant. His wife, Amanda, wants to see her new granddaughter. Felix Sanchez sells used cars and smokes too much pot. He is recently divorced, and playing in a golf fundraiser with his buddies makes his life worth living. Aaron Arkansas is driving to Las Vegas, Nevada, to bring back his uncle, who was murdered. His girlfriend helps him with his laundry but tells him she is looking for someone better. Taxi driver Poppy, in Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, spends his days taking passengers to live their dreams, but he dreams most about fishing with his grandson and his friends on a weekend.

America is a place with a heart. America has cities, states, territories, a history of immigration and innovation. Whether one finds himself or herself in Pueblo, Colorado, or Albuquerque, New Mexico, each place has its own ‘vibe.’ Las Vegas, Nevada; New Orleans, Louisiana; Miami, Florida; and Charlotte Amalie in the Virgin Islands are all pieces of the American puzzle.

Our America is a mosaic of people, places, and dreams. Jump aboard for a literary ride, and enjoy our great American collage.