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

Penny clutches her chest as if hurt. “Subs!” she cries in mock horror. “Oh, the humanity! Do they even use olive oil down there? Wait! Don’t tell me. Italian dressing, right?” Now Dan’s laughing as well, and Penny shakes her head in dismay. “The heathens. We’ll fix you boys up with real cheesesteaks tonight, I promise.”


As she turns to leave, I catch her wrist. In my hand, hers feels frail, like an intricate macramé. “Thanks again,” I whisper. “How are you holding up, Penny?”


For a moment I don’t think she’ll answer. I’m still a child to her—she won’t confide in me. But then her chin crumbles, her lower lip trembles, and she touches her hair as if checking to make sure it’s still there, a habit she shares with my mom. “Fine,” she whispers, forcing a brave smile. “Fine, Michael, really. I’ll be fine.” She gives me a tight hug. “I’ll have to be, right? Thanks for coming, both of you.” With a sad smile at Dan, she leaves.


Chapter 45