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

“My pleasure,” she says with a shaky laugh. “Ray’s right. Evie always said…” Her voice cracks and she clears her throat, wipes at her cheek as if wiping that thought away. “The back room’s fine for you two. I’m glad you’ve found someone, Mike. You’re a good kid.”


She leads us through the foyer, filled with more luggage and bags and pillows than a college town bus station at Spring Break. There are more kids inside—how many of us arethere? I don’t recognize any of them, though I think I see my Uncle Tommy in the living room, reclining on the couch, my Uncle Craig beside him. I thought Caitlin said Doug was the only one here so far? When did everyone else arrive?


Chapter 44