In the case of Necking with Louise, the old saw about not judging a book by its cover can certainly be extended to its title. Book admits that, because of his background in advertising, Necking with Louise was the book's title from the outset. For two years, he tried the title out on people, and they would always laugh. Better yet, a year later they would ask him, "So, how's Necking with Louise going?" Their remembering confirmed for Book that it was a good title.

Placed at the midpoint of the collection's seven stories, "Necking With Louise" deals with Eric's "discovery" of Louise Polonski as possible girlfriend material. Prior to asking her out on a date, Eric had said, "But to me, Louise was just one of the girls in high school I thought of as a great kid, like a sister—only better. She'd...