Chris Bottoms is glad to be home from undergoing the first of two surgeries that will free him from the ostomy bag he’s been wearing for more than a year. He’s anxious about the upcoming second surgery, but life is keeping him on his toes.<br><br>The bank hierarchy is clearly grooming Chris’s partner, Mickey O’Donovan, vice president of a megabank, for a promotion. That doesn’t help reconcile the family who turned their backs on Mickey for not going into the family business. To make matters worse, Chris's little brother's abusers are still out there, and that makes Chris angry. He and Mickey are raising Ted now. Between dealing with spiteful relatives and doing their best by a hurt ten-year-old boy, Chris and Mickey wonder how much more reality they can take.<br><br>Chris's second and final surgery can't come soon enough. Both men are looking forward its most important side-effect -- Chris will once again be able to enjoy prostate massage, but not until three months after the surgery.

Bottoms Away

“I’ll arrange for an inspector to look at the houses tomorrow,” Chris said.


“Yeah, it’s always interesting to compare his notes with ours.”


“Ted is having dinner at Anthony’s, so why don’t we stop at the Pizza Italian? I have a sudden urge for lasagna.”


THEY’D ARRIVED IN Savannah late Friday afternoon and checked in at the DeSoto Hilton, which was conveniently located in the historic district. Chris had gotten a reservation for them at The Pirates’ House restaurant, and they’d had an early dinner at the popular eatery.


Chris awoke first as usual and, as usual, proceeded to wake Mickey up in the most pleasant way possible. Later, they showered together and were standing in front of the vanity mirror, toweling themselves dry.


“We’re still keeping ourselves fit, aren’t we?” Chris said, as he used his thumb and first finger to measure the flesh around first his waist, then Mickey’s.


Chapter 19