Cloris Hughes

After graduating from Penn State University, Cloris Schermer returns to the semi-rural, semi-urban county east of Pittsburgh, PA where she was born and raised.

Against her mother's unrelenting animosity for anyone named Hughes, Cloris begins to date Reynolds Hughes - scion of the County's wealthiest and most powerful family. Reynolds' mother is equally opposed to his dating anyone named Schermer.

The two eventually enter into a brief, childless marriage, with infidelity leading to divorce. Unhappy apart, they make plans to re-marry. While separated, Cloris digs into her family tree and makes a discovery that will forever change Reynold and Cloris. The pair must now decide how to confront their future.

Stephen was born, raised and educated in Pittsburgh, PA. After graduating from Pitt Dental School and serving a stint in the Army Reserve in the mid-60's, Stephen lived, helped raise two children and practiced family dentistry in Westmoreland County, the site of this novel, for nearly forty years. Writing fiction has always been his second love. He and his first love, his wife shirley, have returned to living in Pittsburgh.