THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos / Z-View

THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos

First sentence…

He called the place Pappas and Sons Coffee Shop.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

1972.  When Alex’s plans to hangout with his girlfriend get cancelled, he decides to go riding with his buddies, Billy and Pete.  Cruising with the guys and some beer isn’t as fun as he’d have had with Karen, but it’s something to do.

As they drive aimlessly, trading jokes and insults, the boys end up near Heathrow Heights.  The black kids at their school were bussed in from Heathrow.  Billy, behind the wheel, starts talking about driving through Heathrow Heights.  Alex is ready to go home, but to say so now would mark him as “chicken”.  Instead Alex asks, “What are we gonna do when we get in there?”  “Raise a little hell” is the answer.  Alex doesn’t want to, but keeps quiet.

When they see a few black kids near the street, Billy slows the car.  Pete hits one with a Hostess pie as he yells racial slurs.  Billy guns the car.  He thinks a turnaround is straight ahead.

It’s a dead end.

One of the boys jumps out of the car and runs.  The other two see the black kids angry and coming toward them fast.  Each are punched.  Then a shot rings out.

Thirty-five years later.  Everyone involved in the incident has been affected.  One kid was killed.  One kid sent to prison.  Thirty-five years later and they’re no longer kids.  One of the survivors contacts another he hasn’t seen since the incident.  If they meet would it be for revenge or healing?  Does it have anything to do with the boy, now a bitter man, that was sent to prison?  Are they aware he’s now out?  Do they even know that the ex-con plans on getting restitution, one way or another?

George Pelecanos has written another winner.

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