Evan has family problems. He has a special-needs brother whom he adores and clueless parents. His senior class writing assignment is overdue because he ended up in the hospital. The reason why involves his new classmate, Jamison, and the realisation that he is almost certainly gay.<br><br>Jamison has his own issues. His mom died of cancer and he misses her, but at least his dad is supportive. Things are looking up now that Evan is in the picture.<br><br>Christmas is a bust for Evan. Jamison and his dad fly off to see relatives, leaving Evan alone with his dysfunctional parents and ill brother, but at least an intriguing new girl has moved in next door. New Year's Eve looks promising until Evan's parents tag him to babysit his brother while they party. When tragedy strikes that night, who will be there for Evan? With family problems keeping him and Jamison apart, can a death bring them back together?

Free Falling

A bit about my brother Wendell; he has Down syndrome. He’s actually older than I am, but he’s shorter and chubby and well, you know. He wants to be called Zelda the Magnificent but he can’t pronounce it himself, and cried when Dad sneered and told him Zelda was a girl’s name. He’s big hearted and full of love for all mankind. I am probably the only person who knows he only pretends to love our dad. This one time when Dad was being particularly clueless and mean, saying Wen was not his son, no fucking way, Wen got into Dad’s matches and started playing with them. Dad got scared, more scared than angry. And for a split second Wen’s mask broke and I saw he understood completely what he was doing, and was enjoying himself thoroughly. I didn’t know if he was capable of not starting a fire, or entirely capable of doing so on purpose. I had no idea, either way. I was a little scared myself, but then he tried to wink at me. He knew that too.


Chapter 14