J.E. Dougherty writes stories to evoke questions, causing us to rethink our ideas about love, death, right and wrong -- about, in a word, life. From painters to writers, school teachers to mafia dons, Dougherty's characters illustrate how these questions are raised for all of us, even though we may not be as colorful. What would you do if you could walk away from your family and know everyone would be happier? Could you ever share unlimited love with someone? How do we stoke our passion for art and real beauty in a world obsessed with profit and superficial prettiness? How far would you go to save the life of a person you love? J.E. Dougherty gives us "Sixteen Stories" to explore with us how these inner struggles play out in the theaters of our modern American lives.