Pepper writes stories that span the gamut from humorous to heartfelt, however the common theme is crossing boundaries. Pepper's unique stories often tackle taboo topics such as mental illness and homelessness. Readers will find themselves questioning their own sense of right and wrong, attraction and desire. In addition to writing, the author is also an artist, an introverted recluse, a self proclaimed empath and a foodie. Pepper Pace can be contacted at: pepperpace.author@yahoo.com

In 1977 12-year old Vanessa White lives just out of reach of the projects that both scare and entice her. It is the year that she meets 14-year old Scotty Tremont, one of the few white boys to live in the ghetto. Initially afraid that Scotty intends to beat her up because her cousin called him white trash, Vanessa soon learns that although Scotty is a ‘Trick Baby’ and will probably be a dope boy just like his brother, he also somehow manages to be compassionate. 

Scotty is learning something as well; that his path has not been laid out before him and that everything isn’t necessarily everything. This book series takes the reader back to the 70’s style urban lit stories of life in the ghetto. It begins in the 70s and moves throughout the decades following the lives of people whose stories have intertwined in a romantic, tragic, sometimes funny, tale of street life. This story is for adult readers only and contains mature themes including language, sex, violence, drugs and racism. 


Everything is Everything

"You can tell yourself that Vanessa. But this is just like love and politics—you won't change my mind. You are in to things that you don't need to be involved with. You need to move back home."


Vanessa closed her eyes. "I'd like to get the birthday money you said you'd give me."


Vanessa heard her grandmother's chair scrape the floor as the woman rose. When she looked up her grandmother was holding an envelope in her hands. She handed it to Vanessa who accepted it in surprise. She had expected an argument. 


Vanessa opened the envelope and saw hundred dollar bills. More money than she'd ever been around in her entire life. 


"You're going to use that money to bail out that man, aren't you?"


"That man is my fiancée. And he didn't do anything wrong. He saved me. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"


Her grandmother's expression softened. "Vanessa, baby. Open your eyes. That man is going to drag you down into the gutter with him."


Chapter 104