EPISODES FROM THE LIFE OF DIEGO JONES OR BETTER EVERY YEAR By Ernest Edward White II Submitted to the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of American University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Fine Arts In Creative Writing Chair: Keith Leonard Dean ofthe College Date 2005 American University Washington, DC 20016 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Reproduced with permission ofthe copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1429834 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ® UMI UMI Microform 1429834 Copyright 2006 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission ofthe copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © COPYRIGHT by Ernest Edward White II 2005 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduced with permission ofthe copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. EPISODES FROM THE LIFE OF DIEGO JONES OR BETTER EVERY YEAR BY Ernest Edward White II ABSTRACT Episodes from the Life of Diego Jones (working title) begins with two major life- changing events on the protagonist's sixteenth birthday, one of which is his first sexual experience with another male. Diego Jones is a biracial (half-black American, half- Puerto Rican) athletic phenom, excelling as a football running back in Florida. In a series of episode-like chapters, his struggles with inner- and outer-demons are explored from shifting viewpoints. Not only is Diego uncomfortable with his bisexuality, but he also contends with an absent father, his own promiscuity, clinical depression, pro-athlete pressures, failed romantic relationships, and being in love with his straight best friend. While following Diego through adolescence and into adulthood, the reader is taken through the ruminations of a self-destructive and unquiet mind. In spite of numerous athletic and professional victories, Diego is unable to shake himself free of doubt, sadness, and secrecy. All he wants in life is peace. ii Reproduced with permission ofthe copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT............................................................................. ii JONES SET TO PILLAGE FOR PIRATES...........................................................................1 AMERICAN GENERAL..........................................................................................................3 THAT’S THE STORY............................................................................................................9 PALM BAY’S JONES OUT WITH INJURY.................................................................... 18 MORNING............................................................................................................................. 19 GIVE ME THAT OLD TIME RELIGION.......................................................................... 21 RIVALS LIKE BROTHERS OFF-FIELD.......................................................................... 34 POINTLESS............................. 40 GIRL FROM COCOA...........................................................................................................43 JONES GOES TO GAINESVILLE THIS FALL................................................................54 HAPPY FEELIN’S ................................................................................................................ 56 YOU NEVER SAUSAGE A PLACE..................................................................................61 BIOGRPAHY: DIEGO JONES............................................................................................ 69 RED 4 2 .................................................................................................................................... 70 HOT THING...........................................................................................................................73 SECRET SQUIRREL............................................................................................................80 iii Reproduced with permission ofthe copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. STOP PAYMENT 89 YOUR FIRST SUMMER HOM E..................................................... 95 POGUE WAS HIS NAME..................................................................................................100 GATOR BIO: DIEGO JONES........................................................................................... 104 QUITTING KICK ................................................................................................................ 105 DON’T LIE TO M E ............................................................................................................. 114 SHOWTIME, SYNERGY...................................................................................................117 MARKET DYNAMICS......................................................................................................126 JONES STILL HURT..........................................................................................................136 PEACE.................................................................................................................................. 138 G.I. JO E ................................................................................................................................ 140 BETTER EVERY YEAR....................................................................................................145 NO PARTS...........................................................................................................................153 AT WINN-DIXIE................................................................................................................ 157 AWAY.................................................................................................................................. 162 PARADISE...........................................................................................................................167 CONDITION OF THE HEART......................................................................................... 173 SLEEP AND NOT THINK.................................................................................................181 GRANTEE............................................................................................................................ 187 FREE AGENT......................................................................................................................194 SCREEN PLA Y................................................................................................................... 203 SLEEP................................................................................................................................... 211 iv Reproduced with permission ofthe copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. NASTY B O Y ....................................................................................................................... 212 PHONE CALL................................................................................................................, . .215 NEW FAMILY.................................................................................................................... 220 AND SO IT IS ..................................................................................................................... 225 PRETTY ROOKIE...............................................................................................................227 LIQUID POWDER.............................................................................................................233 DESPITE JONES’ GRAND FINALE, MIAMI STILL LO SES ..................... 245 ALL SET...............................................................................................................................247 IT’S TIM E............................................................................................................................249 MIAMI RUNNING BACK BUYS SHOPPING CENTER..............................................255 FIV E...................................................................................................................................... 256 ON A PLANE....................................................................................................................... 260 DESDE A QUI...................................................................................................................... 264 LETTER TO POPS...............................................................................................................266 SILVER AND BLUE AND RED AND BLACK..............................................................267 MI AM OR.............................................................................................................................269