Something About Ann: Stories of Love and Brotherhood

Something About Ann includes a novella by the same name and eleven short stories. Many of the stories continue the journey of The Seven a group of soldiers who survived a horrific experience in Vietnam. Violence and turmoil continue to haunt them as they try to normalize their lives upon returning to the states. Sometimes relying on the help of each other and sometimes relying on the skills they’ve gained in combat most prevail.In the novella Something About Ann Clarence Bankston returns from the Vietnam War shaken by his experience. When he sees a Vietnamese woman Ann Minh at a party his first instinct is to avoid her because she is a reminder of a war he doesn’t want to relive. Once they engage in conversation though they bond recognizing both are affected by the conflict. The peace of mind each seeks however eludes them.The award-winning short story 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 an orphan. In the story The Education of Xavier Warfield Xavier a promising pool hustler finds the most important lessons in life aren’t learned in the pool room when he falls in love with a lady with a questionable past. In With One Exception Erving Robinson’s encounter with a white Vietnam veteran begins on shaky terms but evolves into a relationship that requires he help his new friend deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder. In Slow Songs Lieutenant Raymond Williams faces his worst fear and it is not combat related.