julio: conqueror of the crowbar

A new short story from the mind of author Garrett Francis.

Julio’s supposed to be on a field trip with the rest of his sixth grade class. Instead, he’s standing at a bus stop with his hood up so that bystanders can’t see the damage his mother has done to his cheek with a crowbar.

And once he gets on that Richmond city bus, he embarks on a field trip of the self, reflecting upon the journey he, his mother and his brother have on thus far, and weighing what options he as an individual has next.

＂Julio: Conqueror of the Crowbar＂ is a gritty story that touches upon themes of immigration, poverty and race, but also brings into focus what it is we as a society choose to thrust before our kids and label ＂greatness.＂

If you enjoy short stories from any of the following authors, ＂Julio: Conqueror of the Crowbar＂ might just resonate with you: Caitlin Horrocks, Adam Johnson, Alice Walker, Raymond Carver, Colum Mccann, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jim Harrison, Karen Russell.