FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY NEW ARRIVALS:
In order to portray a school year from the start, we have jumped backwards in time, to just before Labor Day weekend of 2008. In the imaginary town of Smoky Hill, Virginia, the main characters are starting classes at the "East" of the town's two high schools. Here, in no particular order, are some of the characters who have so far figured in the action--some of them even (gasp!) adults!
JENNIFER: One of the most level-headed, clear-thinking characters of either sex in the story; also likes sports, especially lacrosse.
SAMMY ASHFORD: An African-American freshman with a lot of potential, son of a local business owner.
BRENDAN: One of the good boys, interested in attending Virginia Military Academy; likes Jennifer.
KIM TISDALE: Youngest (and best-looking) of four daughters in a poor family from which the husband and father seems to have run off.
GRANT: One of the most committed young Christians in town; he ministers in music at Redemption Free Church.
LEOPARD MAN (street nickname): An African-American just-barely-student who was first seen robbing Sammy, but who was stopped by my martial-artist character ALIPANG HAVENS.
TOM STETZER: Pastor of Redemption Church, married to ISOBEL; he is white, she is black.
FREDA LEWISTON: Principal of East High, also African-American.
CALLIE: One of numerous characters who come to this setting from previous homeschooling; at first she thought public school was going to be a great liberation, but she is quickly finding it boring after the intellectual stimulation homeschooling provided.