Arlon Stubbe

Love Trek Arlon Stubbe

Wanting a new life, Kate Breckenridge moved to Sarasota, Florida, shortly before the birth of her son, Pauli. But Kate has a secret, and secrets tend to bleed. Only her best friend Gretchen knows the whole story, but that doesn't stop Pauli from wondering about himself . . . and about his father. Bullied and teased as a youngster, Pauli searches for answers, a search that is aided by one of his middle school teachers, Tory Phillips. Pauli struggles with issues of identity as he pals around with his best friend Jayden, a black boy his age (13) who lived in the same neighborhood while in grade school and shares Pauli's middle school experiences. Luisa, a girl in Pauli's homeroom, enters the picture and provides a sense of self-assurance for Pauli, but also triggers new thoughts and feelings associated with puberty that challenge him. Tory Phillips befriends Pauli and senses that the boy's discomfort centers on two things: his skin color - and not knowing who (or where) his father might be. In time, Kate comes under Tory's circle of influence as well, and what transpires after that changes Kate, Pauli and Tory forever. In the end, Kate learns that the past isn't always behind us. Sometimes it's right out there in front, on life's path, just waiting for us to catch up.