What We’re Reading

No Right Turn | Terry Trueman

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At age 13, Jordan James is home alone with his father when he hears a gunshot. Right away, he knows what’s happened. And although his following actions are brave beyond belief, that’s not how they stick in his mind. His rendition of events leads him to slowly become invisible. He pushes away all his friends, discontinues dealings with anyone who wants to talk about, or knows about, his father, and by Junior year, is essentially anonymous.

That year, his mother begins dating again. Don, who lives down the street from Jordan and his mom, is the proud owner of a ‘76 Corvette Stingray. After one ride in the car, Jordan is hooked. He begins regularly stopping by to help Don work on the ‘Vette after school. And once he learns the keys are always in it, begins to sneak out at night to borrow it.

One such night, out for a joyride, he comes upon Becka Thorson on the side of the road, needing help. Becka is a “cheerleader goddess,” and Jordan can’t believe his luck. The minor details that he’s lied to her about who he is, and about owning the car, don’t seem to matter in contrast to the fact that she likes him. But the lies quickly pile up and things begin to spin out of Jordan’s control.

As has to happen, his luck eventually runs out, and he gets caught. But this doesn’t turn out to be the disaster he foresaw. And in the end, it’s this climax of events that leads Jordan to do what he never could before. Open up, let go, and begin to heal.

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