BIRD BOY and Other Stories are full of longing and fantasy. Some, such as "It's a wig, honey," are fanciful. Others, as in "Pine Needles" and "Neapolitan," are pensive. Still others, such as "Amelia" are unusual. Lorna Crystal, in "Passin Through" and Fanny, in her own story, tell us something about growing old. In "Mojo Ovary," Evangelina is missing her ovary; Dr. Jude is missing his Mojo golf ball. Somehow, they both end up in the right places. In "Bird Boy," when Jack reads an ad for a roach eating contest, he knows this could be his lucky day. Are all these stories full of grotesque whimsy or perverse comedy? Nah. "Louie and the Retired Guys" is just plain sweet. Start with that one and work your way in.