This collection of short stories examines themes of friendship, trust, betrayal, and revenge among characters with close relationships. The collection begins with "My Friend Kevin Tells Me Lies, But I Don't Believe Him," which depicts a vengeful friendship between two remorseless liars. "Humdinger" is a more lighthearted piece that tells the story of a thirty-year-old aspiring musician who, after meeting a 12-yearold bass guitar prodigy, must decide between a garage band and adulthood. "Spellbinder" tells the story of a little girl who purposely loses the spelling bees her domineering mother forces her to enter. The tone of this collection is marked by the boldness of "The Blind Midget," which depicts two young men whose friendship is tested when one of them takes insults too far. Finally, "First Trust" depicts a hapless pawnbroker whose manipulative brother has gotten involved with a financial scheme.