This coming of age historical fiction novella is told from the perspective of a young White boy who wants his Black friend to be able to swim with him in the city pool. But old customs die hard in a small segregationist Texas town. American segregation was supposed to end in 1964 with the passage of the Civil Rights Act. But in Texas, sometimes things happen a little slower. Slower like the delayed decree that slaves were freed by President Lincoln in 1863. News didn't reach Texas until 1865-known as Juneteenth. Follow two eleven year old friends in the summer of 1971 as they try to make sense of the world they live in. The fence separating them is more than a metaphor for their lives inside and outside of The Pool.
About the Author: Author KT Ashely is an American writer from the South whose genre is Historical and Realistic Fiction. A native of Louisiana, the writer was born A. Lane Sebesta and writes under the pen name KT Ashely. Much of his writing is influenced by historical events from contemporary to ancient. The human condition and it's affects on society are often the theme. Plot lines involving prejudices, indifference, wealth disparities and military service are common. The author excelled in English and writing classes; he elected to take as many as possible throughout his primary and high school education. During his expansive college years, KT further pursued the art of writing in several forms from artistic to technical. KT recalls his first major writing piece in the fourth grade. Tilted Scorpio, the short story involved a human/arachnid mutant that rampaged through the city. It most likely was inspired by the Godzilla movies of which he was a huge fan. This intense interest in Science Fiction led him to read stories by H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury and others. Later in life, he was inspired by Harper Lee, Ralph Ellison and George Orwell plus his own exposure to life in rural America, travels abroad and military service in the U.S. Naval Nuclear Submarine Force during the Cold War. "I love the English language and the endless possibilities of structure and vocabulary. With the correct diction, one can create a beautiful piece of artwork that the reader is so satisfied with-he will want to read on and remember." -KT Ashely