Whompyjawed: A Novel [Paperback]

Whompyjawed: 1.Askew, out of place 2.Off-center or crooked3. (informal)a person of eccentric or questionable character; odd....................
Football is Willy Keeler's ticket out of West Texas, but only if he can keep the explosive combination of his intellect and hormones from destroying his high-school career. Not an easy task as he also contends with the endless demands of his girlfriend, mother, coach, and college recruiters. When a startling sexual encounter with a classmate and a consuming infatuation with one of his mother's friends threaten to shatter his fragile balance, Willy discovers that simply figuring out who he is may be the greatest challenge of all.
Reminiscent ofThe Catcher in the RyeandThe Last Picture Show,Mitch Cullin'sWhompyjawedis an unforgettable coming-of-age story, told with unparalleled humor and compassion.Mitch Cullin'sfiction has been published inChristopher
Streetand other magazines. His work has been widely anthologized and he has won various awards for his writing. He lives in Tucson, Arizona.Chapter One: Game Night

I know some things. A guy can't grow up in Claude without not knowing something about the place. But what I understand best about my town is how it shuts down on game night, how dusk settles over the deserted Main Street with only the blinking of a single yellow light that sort of marks the center of Claude. And with the wind blowing dust and bits of trash along the sidewalks and gutters downtown, not a soul in sight, someone driving through on the interstate could just think a bunch of folks got tired of where they was at and decided to leave for good. Even the domino parlor gets dark and spooky and a fellow would have to strain to see all the posters and signs taped on the plate-glass window. Go by the Dairy Mart on the outskirts, all lit by fluorescent light inside showing it's open for business, but there ain't nobody eating and the parking lolÉ