Sam and George are childhood friends, sharing a deep loyalty that is cemented when George, the older by three years, saves Sam from drowning.
When George decides to enlist during Vietnam, and Sam's first sexual experiences lead to a pregnancy, the stress and pressures are too much for Sam's mind to process.
He breaks and has his first experience of a psychiatric hospital.
As he faces the stigma of mental illness, his girlfriend Delores is ostracized after having an abortion.
The two run away .
Black Rose Writing Whippoorwill chronicles, paperback/timothy strong
