THE DAY YOU LOVE ME

A debut collection of short stories explores the complexities of love and passion.

Humphrey’s protagonists are bothered, bewitched, and seduced by romance, whether they are feeling enraptured by a first love, encountering a fantasy come true, or struggling to escape a volatile relationship. In “Keiko,” Jari Keranen, a Finnish-American college student, is traveling through Asia. While visiting the Japanese countryside, he has a brief affair with a mysterious woman named Keiko. In California, a housewife reflects on her marriage in “Ping-Click.” Tassie Bruner was a bookkeeper when she met police officer and Vietnam veteran Hank. They have a son, but Hank’s increasingly unstable behavior leaves Tassie fearful for their safety. Professor Philip Winters’ lingering feelings for his high school sweetheart, Toni, a globe-trotting flight attendant, anchor “Fly Girl.” A trip to Tahiti leads a happily married loan officer named Gerry Smythe into temptation when he meets the woman of his dreams in “Freedom.” In Spain, Erik, a teacher, meets Sheila, a bartender with a painful past, in “Men and Dogs.” The desire to reinvent her life and escape from a strict religious upbringing brings Sukie Wittmore to Paris and the arms of Ryan Aedan in “The Day You Love Me.” Humphrey’s collection offers confident and assured storytelling with unforgettable characters that stay with the reader long after the last page is turned. Each tale charts the evolution of the affair, from the initial meeting through the intricacies and ambiguities that create an undercurrent of doubt and uncertainty in the protagonist. Some relationships unfold over a period of years, while others may only be a one-night stand. Humphrey is especially adept at examining the hidden lives of his characters and the secrets that drive their actions. Sheila fears dogs and distrusts doctors. In a tense exchange, Erik learns the origin of her anxieties. It is fitting that most of the stories are set overseas, as love is foreign territory for the protagonists. The settings, which range from Japan to France, are well-drawn and complement the developing bonds.

Accomplished and consistently engaging tales of romance.