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

Rising to her feet, Bobbie nods. “I know, honey,” she says, distracted. “It’s fine. Why don’t you run along and play?”


“I’m watching Caitlin,” he answers. At the withering look Ray shoots him, he sticks his tongue out and hides behind my sister.


Aunt Bobbie dabs at Ray’s stomach, a good five inches above where the milk drenched his shorts. “Here,” she says, shoving the napkin into his hand. “Maybe you should get cleaned up, Ray. It’s after noon already, too late to be lounging around in your PJ’s anyway. I’m sure you have something else you need to do…”


She trails off, hopeful, but Ray shakes his head as he wipes at the front of his shorts. Trying to help, I tell him, “Dad’s out in the shed. He could use a hand—”


“That’s your job, isn’t it?” Ray asks bitterly. “Or wait, just your boyfriend’s. He didn’t want you out there.”


Chapter 136