Out in Print: ‘The Big Tow

‘The Big Tow: An unlikely romance’ Out in Print BY TErrI SCHLICHENMEYEr | CONTrIBuTING WrITEr

“The Big Tow: An Unlikely Romance”

by Ann McMan ©2020, Bywater Books $17.95 340 pages

Two wheels hooked.

That was your vehicle: two wheels on the ground, the other two in the air, safely attached to a bar hooked on both ends to a big truck. Oh, how you hate shredded tires, check-engine lights, busted radiators, dead batteries, and the guy with the rig, but in the new book “The Big Tow” by Ann McMan, a wired starter isn’t the only thing that’s hot.

Vera “Nick” Nicholson had put in her time.

After six years at Turner, Witherspoon, Anders and Tyler, Attorneys at Law, Nick thought she might’ve achieved partner, but no. Instead, because she was the firm’s only “brown” employee and because senior partners figured “floor-scraping assignments” would be “second nature” to her, that’s what she got — like, for instance, the latest case, a stolen car. Nick didn’t know jack about stolen cars. She had no contacts there in North Carolina to ask for help. And that’s how she ended up at National Recovery Bureau, a back-lot repo business run by a chainsmoking, no-nonsense older woman with zero patience, and a guy named Fast Eddie.

For $500, they helped Nick find the car.

When Fast Eddie enticed her with 10 G’s in cash for “profit sharing,” that was a big surprise. So was the offer of a part-time job from NRB. And so was the co-worker NRB assigned to Nick, a gorgeous blonde named Frankie. She had a killer body and enough imagination to figure out how to complete the toughest cases.

Meanwhile, Nick used her imagination to think about Frankie’s killer body.

Despite the danger and the hassle, working for NRB did have its benefits: the money was great and the company was even better, and Nick cautiously allowed herself to fall in love. She and Frankie were becoming more than just partners at work; they were a couple that happened to work together, and they did a good job.

But there was something off about Fast Eddie...

Despite that it leans a bit toward wordiness and could have used maybe one less caper, “The Big Tow” is a true delight — but not for the reasons you might think.

Author Ann McMan’s two main characters are certainly likable: Nick is one of those people you want in your corner, and Frankie seems like someone you’d have drinks with. The real appeal of this book, though, lies in the world surrounding these two. The dispatcher at NRB and Nick’s gay roommate are spit-out-your-coffee funny, and you must read this book to learn who Carol Jenkins is. There are dotty mothers, wise fathers, a goth girl at a funeral home and a Yoda-type butcher who speaks in hints. Though he’s really basically a caricature, even Fast Eddie is someone you’ll look for as you’re reading this book.

This is the kind of story that, if it happened to you, you’d get plenty of mileage out of it at your next party. It’s got romance, action, humor, and theft — how can you go wrong? Start “The Big Tow” and you’ll be hooked. : :

Ann McMan is a Lambda Literary Award winning author who resides in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Vetter

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She has helped elect LGBTQ- 2011 to 2013, Vetter was on the Human affirmative candidates to the Charlotte Rights Campaign Carolinas Gala steering mayor’s office, Charlotte City Council, committee and served as Gala co-chair Mecklenburg County Commission, the from 2012 to 2013. Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board and When asked what’s next, Vetter says served on the boards of Equality North it’s going to require “more of us telling Carolina and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg our stories.” Referring to the Bostock v Community Relations Committee. From Clayton County Supreme Court decision, she believes that more people will feel comfortable to come out at work. “It’s hard to fear what you know. The more that we’re able to be ourselves, the better,” she says. “But, we also have to not accept things that aren’t acceptable — to understand our power and to speak our truth.” Within the community, she points out that the LGBTQ community needs to deal with its own racism and sexism. Even though she may be starting to pass the torch in some ways, Vetter is still volunteering, and we likely haven’t seen the last of her leadership. Since the beginning of COVID-19, she’s been helping with Hearts Beat as One working in the food pantry and does fence builds with the United for Animals. The historical and institutional knowledge that Vetter brings to the city’s LGBTQ community can be a valuable asset. “You will not find many LGBTQ community members that have not engaged, connected with or been affected by her great work,” says Turner. “Her impression and mark in the area of LGBTQ rights, equity and beyond have Connie Vetter has been a proud participant truly made Charlotte a better place for at Charlotte Pride Parades over the years. us all.” (Photo Credit: Facebook) As Loftin said, “We are better because of her.” : : 14 qnotes Dec. 25, 2020 - Jan. 7, 2021

Vaccine

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vaccinated (if they received the placebo), or take no action (if they received the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine).

JK: Have you had any further contact since the vaccine has been approved?

DS: The Johnson & Johnson Phase 3 ENSEMBLE Trial of its Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate is still ongoing, and has not been approved. PC: No, not yet. I do know that Moderna filed an application for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) on Nov. 30, 2020, and the FDA will meet with vaccine experts on Dec. 17, 2020 to discuss the study results and related info. Similar to the Pfizer vaccine (EUA was approved Dec. 12, 2020), I’d expect the FDA to grant the EUA to Moderna as well, since both vaccines use similar formulation.

JK: Do you have any particular reaction to hearing that there are people who won’t take the vaccine until others have had it?

DS: I completely understand the fear people have, as the vaccines have been politically gaslighted. However, I have faith in the development process of the vaccines, the companies behind them, the steady leadership of Gov. Cooper and Dr. Mandy K. Cohen, M.D., M.PH. My wish is for us to get past those fears, set the example for others and get vaccinated as soon as the state of North Carolina makes it available to us. PC: I understand some people may be apprehensive about the unknown (side effects of vaccine, efficacy of vaccine, etc.), but unless volunteers participate in the vaccine trial, I don’t see a path forward. How can we expect a path forward and expect life to get back to normal without a vaccine?

JK: Would you volunteer for something like this again?

DS: Yes, absolutely. PC: I would if it was as critical or urgent, as it has been with COVID-19 pandemic.

JK: Do you have anything else you would like to share that hasn’t already been mentioned?

DS: Wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth. Wait six feet apart. Avoid close contact. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. PC: I am glad I participated in the vaccine trial, even if when unblinded I learn I received the placebo. The process was necessary for the vaccine companies to fast-track a process that can take years. There is such an urgency right now, and the world is trying to figure out a path forward and how society can get back to some sense of normalcy after enduring nine months of atypical life — lockdowns, travel restrictions, rising unemployment, severe impact to the economy, etc. : :

Jack Kirven completed the MFA in Dance at UCLA, and earned certification as a personal trainer through NASM. His wellness philosophy is founded upon integrated lifestyles as opposed to isolated workouts. Visit him at jackkirven.com and INTEGRE8Twellness.com.