Abscond

In this poignant short story by Abraham Verghese, set in New Jersey during the summer of 1967, thirteen-year-old tennis prodigy Ravi Ramanathan navigates the pressures of familial expectations and his own aspirations. As he grapples with his identity and the routines of his loving but traditional parents, a sudden turn of events forces him to confront the realities of life and re-evaluate his role within the family. This compelling tale invites listeners to reflect on the complexities of growing up and the significance of understanding what truly matters.