One Son

Book excerpt: One Son, Stefan Kalogo's first novel, explores the lives of teens in rural, Middle-of-Nowhere, Illinois. Jenna Sanders, a wall flower, has recently blossomed and attracts the attention of some of the more socially prominent young men. After an ill-fated parking adventure, her date lets it be known that she puts out. Despite her soiled reputation, Jenna still manages to land the biggest fish in the local pond, Tyler VanOpdorp. Tyler, while smitten with Jenna, keeps his distance. He has managed to cultivate a certain dignified image that he doesn't want tarnished by some loose social climber. Still, he is more than a little interested. Jenna and Tyler fall in love, or whatever it is that teens feel for one another. Both are bright, get good grades and plan on going to college. Until the inevitable happens: Jenna gets pregnant. Teen pregnancy is an all too common occurrence. Social conventions of generations ago have worn away; right and wrong are not necessarily relevant. Self-interest and personal desire are now perfectly acceptable guidelines for tackling such problems. Tyler and Jenna pursue divergent courses that each believe is best for them, with little consideration for the other. The results are disastrous. One Son begins with the line, "Western Illinois isn't what it used to be." The same could be said of anyplace else.