J.M. Snyder

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

Gently I say, “I’m twenty-five, Mom. I’m an adult now. I’m having sex.”


“You don’t have to tellme about it,” she sighs. With one hand she touches the side of my face, her thumb tracing the curve of my jaw as she stares at me, throughme, trying to see someone I no longer am. “You don’t have to be so damn proud.”


Surprised, I laugh and cover her hand with mine, pressing her palm to my face. “What, would you rather I keep it to myself? Or deny who I am? Live in misery just because you don’t want to deal with it? Happens to everyone else’s sons, is that it? Not yours. Neveryours.” Before she can reply, I point out, “You raised me better than that.”


Chapter 164