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

Only they were gone—the boys climbed out of the creek and combed both shores while I swam near the old log that still serves as a bridge across the creek. The bark was rough against my bare shoulders when I leaned back on it. “Go get me another pair,” I told Ray. He looked scared—I didn’t blame him. I was already planning to tell Mom what had happened. I wanted to make sure I was there for the punishment.


But I didn’t get to see it. Ray ran back to the house but it was Stephen who brought me a new pair of shorts. “Where’s Ray?” I asked. I looked around to make sure we were alone before climbing out of the creek. The last thing I needed was one of my girl cousins to see me in the nude. I’d never have lived it down.


Chapter 53