Crow Roads

Short story Crow Roads first appeared in The Coyote Road: Trickster Tales, edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling, Viking, 2007

Set outside of Newford in 1967, Annie lives in Tartown with the rest of the poor kids. When a handsome, longhaired hippie shows up outside Ernie's Poolroom, Annie is smitten by his exotic good looks and long black hair. The local boys just want to beat him up, but before they can, the stranger suggests an irresistible contest, which reveals that he may be even more mysterious than he appears.