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

“Perfectly. Both boys were models of behavior.”


Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of little feet on the stairs. Robbie entered the living room, followed closely by Ted, and when Robbie saw George and Mike, he ran across the room and hugged both of them.


“Ready to go home, kiddo?” George said.


“I guess,” Robbie said. “And I do need to practice on the piano.”


“You guess?” Mike said. “Is that the best you can do?”


“I’ve been having a good time, Daddy,” Robbie said.


“I have no doubt of that,” George said. “But don’t forget, we’re coming back here for dinner tomorrow.”


Mickey had come downstairs during the conversation and said, “I’ll go get his bag. It’s on the back porch.”


The boys said good-bye to each other, Robbie thanked Chris and Mickey for inviting him, and the Foster-Martin family departed.


“I smell something good,” Mickey said.


“Would you like a small piece of pie?” Chris said.


Chapter 68