One Divided by Two

About the Book

ONE DIVIDED BY TWO Jimmy-Jo Arcos, a seventeen-year old hermaphrodite, cast out by his bewildered mother, becomes sick while hitchhiking south for the winter. Taken to Cantner Medical Center, Jimmy-Jo proves to be a pregnant virgin. Doctors Cleggan Brophy and Anesa Capoulos, he, the physician assigned to the case and she, the Center’s endocrinologist, persuade the Chief of Staff that they should study the phenomenon to further medical science. Dr. Philip Kinder, obstetrician, directs the attention of Father Michelangelo Julio, curate of St. Barnabas Church, to Jimmy-Jo, and news of the pregnant virgin spreads. As a focus of both medical and religious interest, Jimmy-Jo attracts great coverage by press and television reporters. A shrine is erected on Medical Center grounds, and believers flock to the Chapel of the New Virgin. When the press of the fervent crowds endangers Jimmy-Jo, he is spirited away on a Caribbean cruise to allow the Medical Center and chapel to beef up security. Dr. Brophy and Jimmy-Jo remain happily incognito, enjoying the ports of call with new found friends until Clegg, who has assumed guardianship of Jimmy-Jo, discovers that they are being tracked by a passenger on another cruise ship. That problem is satisfactorily solved but results in a fresh flood of tabloid and television attention and a hurried flight back to the mainland. Returning to routine at the Medical Center, Jimmy-Jo is surrounded by people who care about him; Elma Garrett, the young lady he met on the cruise; Dr. Capoulos, his endo- (continued on back flap) (continued) crinologist; Dr. Brophy, his physician and guardian; Bishop Petrigan who appointed Father Julio as Jimmy-Jo’s personal priest; and the staff at the Medical Center. But there is also Dr. Kinder, who becomes less than a friend. As the birth of the baby approaches, the shift in his endocrine balance makes Jimmy-Jo feel more and more like “one divided by two.” George Sharp cheerfully offers his first novel, ONE DIVIDED BY TWO, trusting that it will be a “good read” for many readers.

About the Author