When Michael Knapp brings his lover Dan Biggs home to meet his parents, he doesn't expect things to go smoothly. His mother's been trying to marry him off for years, and sometimes he isn't even sure his father knows he exists. He has always felt like the shadow son, competing with his terminally stupid older brother and smart-mouthed little sister for his parents' attention. Coming out to them over dinner seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally get noticed.<br><br>But an unexpected phone call interrupts his announcement -- Aunt Evie, the family matriarch, is dead. With Dan in tow, Michael follows his family to Sugar Creek, where he spent his summers growing up, to prepare for the funeral.<br><br>Amid an overabundance of memories and relatives, Michael's world begins to slip. His dysfunctional family, Evie's death, and an old friend's confession all threaten to smother him. Worse, in his grief and confusion he seems determined to inadvertently push everyone away, including his lover. Can he and Dan move beyond his family and his past to a new life together, before Michael's insecurities tear them apart?

It's All Relative

Caitlin lets go of my foot and whoops in my ear as she gives me a quick hug. I push her away. “Just for this,” she says, “I won’t tell Mom you two got your freak on last night.”


“Caitlin!” I shout, embarrassed. I swat at her but she laughs and dances out of reach. Before I can say anything else, she’s through the door and gone. With a glance over my shoulder at Dan grinning at me, I point out, “Eight hours of that. I’m going to remind you that it was your call.” 7: On the Road


Chapter 22