Description In her captivating style, Nancy Demme weaves a tale of what it means to be human and growing up in deep Texas.
Diego Ramirez, 15, anonymous, obsessed by fire, flees his home in 1952 El Paso after setting fire to the barn where his abusive stepfather is working.
Believing he has killed the man, Diego steals his mother's life savings and hitchhikes through Texas, accepting rides from anyone who offers, a bigoted truck driver, a woman who only gives rides to children of crippled spirit, a salesman who feeds Diego's dreams of success, and a lonely widow, who takes him in only to have to let him go.
Through loss and love, redemption finds a way to help Diego unravel his crime and the crimes against him.
About the Author NANCY CATHERS DEMME has been a Children's Librarian for 25 years.
She has facilitated the Twin Rivers Writers' Group for 27 years.
Her short stories have appeared in Confrontations, The Kelsey Review, US 1, and the Foliate Oak Literary Magazine.
She is an active member of the Garden State Storyteller's League.
Stephen F. Austin University Press The ride, paperback/nancy demme
