Tow-Kaye just learned that the love of his life is pregnant--and though he knows what the right thing to do is, he's scared to death to do it. Jeffrey hates having a mom who dresses like a teenager, but when another sexy mom moves in next door--well, that's a different kind of problem. In these and twenty-two other short stories and poems, readers plumb the inner lives of African American teenage boys.

You don't even know me -- Scared to death -- Just say it -- Gettin' even -- People might not understand -- Fakin' it -- Dying before I'm done -- Sixteen -- Fat man walking -- Stuck with me -- The same old thing -- Don't read this -- Messages -- I'm not supposed to -- Girls make you weak -- Look -- Chocolate cinnamon beige -- Infected -- So she's white -- My hood -- Words to the world -- I apologize -- Pretty mothers are a problem -- Open your eyes -- If you need to talk to someone (teen helplines).