Twice Upon A Prequel And Three Shorts

From the pages of The Call, Elmo Piggins and Reginald Dexter are given their own stories as part of this anthology.The Astonishing Elmo Piggins introduces young Elmo Piggins as the prototypical Southern preacher's kid. His older sister seems to eclipse him, until she leaves home and he joins the Navy following highschool graduation. While at sea, Elmo experiences a Road-to-Damascus transformation, turning his life and relationships on their ear.The Rebirth of Reginald Dexter tells of tenured professor of psychology who is forced to retire at sixty-five. It is both a funny and inspirational story that supports the life-affirming notion that it's never too late for new beginnings..Taken Up Before The General follows the misadventures of a hapless military brat who is pummeled into submission at every turn. This story provides a blistering portrait of a social order that grants no quarter to those who just don't fit in ... anywhere.The War Comes Home explores the same social dynamics -- that of self-sacrifice for the sake of conformity -- only this time, the story is told through the eyes of a military wife saddled with the task of avoiding any upsets upon her husband's return from war.Any finally, there is A Liter Bit Of Wisdom -- a darkly humorous tale that explores the possible repercussions that might result from our actions or inactions. Or could it be simply the workings of fate?