He watched her. Her skirt billowed. Her hair was gathered on top of her head held high. Just as he remembered from those Wednesday on the roof. If she saw him and smiled, if she saw him and smiled.

Ever since the night he found her battered and raped in the alley near his home, Thulani has not been able to think about anything but Ysa.

This is the first time since his mother died that Thulani has given a thought to anything but the rock doves he keeps on the roof of his house in Brooklyn. With his father in Jamaica and his older brother and sister-in-law always wanting to "man him up," the only place he finds solace is near the sky with his birds.

Now that he has seen Ysa, Thulani finally has a reason to come down from the roof. But it's not as easy for him--especially when it seems that Ysa doesn't want him in her world at all.

In this provocative and poignant novel, award-winning author Rita Williams-Garcia celebrates the healing power of love.