Book excerpt: David Leavitt's second collection of stories further confirms a talent deep and wonderfully creative in its empathy. A Place I've Never Been explores family relationships, friendships, and romantic relationships, among characters whose sexuality is fluid or uncertain -- a barrier or under threat. A real estate agent happily married to a woman finds himself in love with another man in "Houses." A man entering a bold new world of gay hookups feels sheltered from the most intimidating attentions by his more attractive, charismatic friend. And Leavitt moves from the familiar American suburbs to Italy, where he's also spent time, to create a contrast with European concepts of loyalty and fidelity that transcends the usual stereotypes. A Place I've Never Been is clever and pleasurable, but also revelatory and wise.