The Outhouse Gang — Neil Plakcy

Continuing the exploration of the father-son dynamic that he began in the short story AT THE DINER, author Neil Plakcy expands on the theme with a look at the lives of seven men in the town of Stewart's Crossing.

Chuck longs to escape the rigidity of his life and working in his father's store. Charley fears for the loss of the family farm. Sandy is the one who got out of the small town, then chose to come back. Paul is losing his connection with his son. Harry worries that his son will change in the Army. Nick seeks to keep his relationship with his son stable while his marriage falls apart. Tom is faced with the possibility of illness taking his child.

Through all of their trials and tribulations, the men make a pact to stick together. One night's prank will result in the creation of The Outhouse Gang; a group dedicated to ensuring that, above all else, their dedication to their fathers and the fathers they themselves are destined to become will remain strong.