Summary

In “Shepherd” a narrator named Chris recalls a visit from his cousin Gloria, who came from Jamaica after experiencing the loss of her infant son. Chris was a teenager living in River Oaks, a wealthy Houston enclave with his mother and father, and his sister Nikki who had just returned from college. Gloria was raised by her intellectual parents, until they became heavy cocaine users and she had to strike out on her own. She made a living as a prostitute to wealthy clients on cruise ships, floating through the Caribbean. Then she found herself pregnant, and lost the baby shortly after it was born. Gloria was bright, and began reading her way through Nikki's bookshelf, while sharing stories of her former life with Chris. Chris recalls hanging out with his friend Okri one day, and experimenting sexually. Afterwards, Chris felt awkward...