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

Vanessa just nodded, her eyes never leaving the man that had changed the course of her mother's life--the man that had lied to her so that he could pimp her out--the man that had left a legacy of pain and dysfunction in his wake.


"So you are a chef?" She asked politely.


"Yes. I'm the sous chef—second in command but hardest working." He chuckled and Vanessa reached to take her son from him. 


"Juan Carlos has been going to culinary school here at the Art Institute."


She bounced Crash up on her hip when he kicked to be released in order to explore.


They didn't stay much longer. And although Vanessa was polite, Juan Carlos noted that she spoke to him as if he was Scotty's dad and not hers as well. At one point she referred to him as Mr. Tremont before he insisted she call him JC or Juan. But what he really wanted was for her to think of him as 'Dad'. 


But that was something he was prepared to work for. 


Chapter 149