10. Bring the water to a boil, drop to a simmer and cook, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove ¼ cup of the simmering water and whisk in the tomato paste until it achieves a sauce-like consistency. Pour evenly over the stuffed grape leaves and continue to cook for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes. The grape leaves can be served warm now, or at room temperature.
This recipe is dedicated to my grandmother Mèline Boghossian (May 29[?], 1915 – February 2, 2010), a woman with magic in her hands.
—M.B.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special Thanks:
To Ann E. Imbrie and Wendy Wasserstein, my writer-mentors.
To my friends who read this in various stages and provided invaluable support and insight: Chris Kipiniak, Rosemary Andress, Suzanne Agins, Ariel Whitefoot, and Emily Donahoe. And especially to Sarah Braunstein, my favorite living novelist.
To Emily Jenkins, who provided me with endless and generous guidance throughout this process.
To my dearest un-boyfriend, Andy Goldberg, for introducing me to many wonderful things, among them the music of Rufus Wainwright.
To Taylor Stewart, my consultant for Young Hip Gay Speak.
To my Armenian consultants: Paul Boghossian, Donna Bagdasarian, Aaron Poochigian, and Ara Merjian.
To my agent, Josh Adams, a true gentleman.
And most of all to my editor, Joy Peskin. When other people saw a young theater director, she saw a future novelist. All writers should be lucky enough to encounter a partner so dedicated, intelligent, and valiant. This book would not be if not for her.
Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers
175 Fifth Avenue, New York 10010
Text copyright © 2014 by Michael Barakiva
All rights reserved
First hardcover edition, 2014
eBook edition, May 2014
macteenbooks.com
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The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Barakiva, Michael.
One man guy / Michael Barakiva. — First edition.
pages cm
Summary: “When Alek’s high-achieving Armenian-American parents send him to summer school, he thinks his summer is ruined. But then he meets Ethan, who opens his world in a series of truly unexpected ways”—Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-0-374-35645-3 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-374-35646-0 (ebook)
[1. Gays—Fiction. 2. Coming out (Sexual orientation)—Fiction. 3. Love—Fiction. 4. Armenian Americans—Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.B229538On 2014
[Fic]—dc23
2013033518
eISBN 9780374356460
One Man Guy Page 21