Novel
My Friend Whose Death Was Pretend
A prequel
Bo is at the top of the 5th-grade pyramid, clowning his way into everyone’s hearts. Sugar is the way to his heart, and at the bottom of the pyramid is Danny, but Danny comes loaded every lunch. For just ten Oreos, a friendship sparks.
As they grow to be best pals, Bo notices numerous oddities in Danny and his family. He brushes them off as bigger issues arise.
While Bo is out on vacation, Danny finds an even bigger oddball than himself, Chance. He no longer needs Bo to go to new places and even holds the kid’s hand. Danny has never even hugged Bo much less held his hand. The kid is unimaginably rambunctious and surpasses everyone’s patience. For some reason, Danny loves hanging out with him and handles him with ease.
In Bo’s attempts to get his best friend back, his efforts seem to push Danny away even further. It’s not until Danny abruptly disappears that Bo discovers the reasons behind all of Danny’s oddities and their loss of friendship.
This story explores having friends of extremely different households, values, disabilities, and the qualities of friendship.
Danny Wheeler fled his Texan home at the age of nine along with his two little sisters, hoping to end the cruelty they had endured. He is generously taken in by a new friend and his single mother in Cincinnati, Ohio. In fear of being sent back home, he threatens to run away again if he is ever reported to the authorities.
In his young attempt to build a new life, he loses both his sisters to death and kidnapping. In his constant instability and unhealed wounds, he indulges in every desire he feels, playing with his own mortality.
It’s not until the television gleams breaking news of a found missing person: “Gracie Wheeler. Set to be reunited with her parents in Texas”. In shock, relief, fear, and anger, new energy is surging through his veins. If he’s to do anything good in life, it’s to keep his sisters away from his parents.
Only now, after ten years, he must reveal himself to authorities and prove he is equipped and capable of raising a child. Looking at himself, he’s got no chance. With the help of old friends and his new family, he starts to pray for a miracle.
This story explores and challenges the cultural expectations and attitudes towards adopted families and non-romantic relationships. Exploring relationships, expectations, responsibility, identity, roles, and God.
