In this skillfully drawn collection, National Book award-winning Michigan writer Gloria Whelan presents short stories and a novella that look at people living together who have reached a crisis point. Whether her characters are old or young, male or female, in settings that are urban or rural, they wrestle with anger, loneliness, and frustration, but ultimately demonstrate bravery, trust, determination, and, often, the ability to learn something new.

Gloria Whelan's short stories have appeared in a number of literary quarterlies including The Gettysburg Review, The Ontario Review, and The Missouri Review as well as in anthologies including The O'Henry Awards. She has written numerous books for young readers, and her novel Homeless Bird was a National Book Award winner.