So Trust Me

So Trust Me, is a novel-length work set in and around Northern California. Four long stories weave a theme of interpersonal deception across four time frames: 1960, 1970, 1980, and 1990. "The Willamette Kid" portrays a harrowing year in the life of John McDonough, who believes that lying to everyone close to him is the only way to avoid being forced to leave San Francisco and join the family business. "Winnemucca Rose" relates the sex and dope-laden Idaho fishing trip of Brian and Susan McAlpin, as well as the mind games they play on two friends, Phil and Marc. "Married Sex" tells of Steve Parker and Carrie Henson, whose differing reasons for sharing an overnight trip to Mendocino lead to absurd and painful consequences. In "Friends Like That", Roy and Cora spend a two-week summer vacation in Nevada City house-sitting for the mysterious Spence, who had gone to great lengths to cover up his past.