After the death of their mother, Chris Bottoms adopted his little brother Ted, and Chris and his partner Mickey settle down to raise him. Through paperwork left by his mother, Chris learns his brother has a deeply troubled past.<br><br>During a Thanksgiving visit with Chris and Ted’s maternal grandparents, they find out Chris’s grandfather allowed his friends to abuse Ted, so Chris severs all ties with that side of his family.<br><br>Through his job at a hospital, Chris hears of a surgeon at the Mayo Clinic who has developed an ileostomy reversal technique that has proven successful in cases like his. When Chris enters the clinic for preliminary testing, he learns he is a good candidate for the procedure and schedules the first of two surgeries for the beginning of January. A visit from estranged relatives while he’s in the hospital leaves him wondering how many secrets one family can have.

Bottoms Out

“Hi, yourself, what can I do for you?”


“You can tell me where I can find a wireless modem for a desktop machine—preferably on this side of town.”


Mike gave him the names of two stores, Chris thanked him, and they said good-bye.


“Okay, Teddy,” Chris said. “We’re going to make one more trip.”


They got back in Mabel and drove to Roosevelt Square Shopping Center, which was only a few blocks away. They returned home shortly thereafter, and went upstairs to test the new device.


“There you go, Teddy,” Chris said. “You’re up and running. I don’t have to tell you to stay away from those adult sites, do I?”


“Good. I think I’m going to leave you with it and go take a short nap, just as soon as I put that trailer back where it belongs.”


Chapter 4