It is 1969 in segregated Louisiana.
Tatum (aka “Tater”) Henry begins playing football at a “white” field. Why? It is two miles closer to his home than the “black” field. The stares and comments that he receives are incessant, but he loves the game and so he perseveres. Rodney decides that he likes Tater, as well, and the teammates become friends. Then, desegregation of education commences. Suddenly, there are many black and white players on the team at school. There, Tater meets a girl that he likes.
That girl, Angie, is Rodney’s twin sister.
Rodney never thought that he would have a problem with his sibling dating a black guy, but he cannot stop thinking about it. Their father is explicitly racist, and their mother does not like the situation, either. However, Angie is devoted to Tater. She speaks to him every day on the phone, and she luxuriates in his attention. Angie continually fears that her father will insist that she end the relationship. She loves seeing Tatum in school and spending time with him in class.
Relations between the twins have been tense since Tatum and Angie’s relationship started. They used to feel that they knew each other so well. Now, Angie wants to spend time only with Tatum. She no longer shows Rodney her art. The inside of the car on the way to school is filled with silence. Matching T-shirts that they received as birthday gifts have never been worn. There is a schism between them that will take some healing.
Call Me By My Name by John Ed Bradley, 2014
This is an excellent novel about interracial relationships.