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

Caitlin’s obviously not still up here. I take the stairs two at a time, passing my dad on my way down. He looks stiff and uncomfortable in the freshly ironed shirt he wears, and the look he gives me discourages conversation. Don’t say a word, his eyes caution. But I’ve never been one to heed such warnings, so as I stand aside to let him by, I wave. “Hey.”


He grunts in reply, typical Dad. “Where’s your mother?” he demands.


Pointing upstairs, I start, “In the room—”


“Is she ready yet?” Before I can answer, he’s trooping the rest of the way up the steps, muttering to himself. “Rush to get meout of the damn house, will you.”


I don’t pursue that. Instead I turn away, let them argue it out, I’ve had enough confrontations for today. And I’m heading right into another one, I think ironically, but with any luck maybe I won’t find Caitlin before we go. Then I won’t have to fall victim to her biting anger. If she wants to wear teal, that’s fine with me. It’s not myfuneral.


Chapter 166