It was just going to be a simple Spanish fabada bean and chorizo soup from his grandmother’s favorite recipe. Jake hoped for a nice meal and a better time with his widower father. His dad didn’t seem homophobic, but he just didn’t get that Jake was gay. A quiet dinner might clear the air.<br><br>But the trip to the supermarket was a disaster involving a bear and some sausage. Then his dad showed up accompanied by a health aide who isn’t quite what she seems. And the bear shows up, too.<br><br> Stress and rum piles up. Will Jake’s father get a new grandson? Does Jake have a bear in the kitchen and in the bedroom, too? Is this meal one big happy family gathering, or an even bigger disaster?

For Better or For Worse

“It’s Larry! Would you like to get together later?”


“Why don’t you and whatzhisname come for dinner?” I laughed.


“He’s out of town,” Larry said, trying to sound disappointed. “Anyway, he’s only my housemate, not my, um, you know.”


“What can I bring? I have a big—um—sausage.”


We settled on wine, and I drove the rest of the way, happily trying to remember my grandmother’s recipe. It wasn’t until I pulled into my driveway that I remembered my father and his aide were coming for dinner.


“Shit!” I said to my cat Felicia as I went inside. She only climbed up my jeans and started licking whipped cream off my chin.


Chapter 2