Even the nicest of guys can decide to cut loose at some point, especially if he's at college and a frat brother invites him to a party. Unfortunately, that can end quite badly. Luckily for Dante ap Owen, it doesn't -- until he keeps needing to piss every few minutes and he sees blood in his urine. Another stroke of luck for him is the substitute professor, also a medical doctor he’s been crushing on, who happens to be there when he passes out in class and pushes him to come to his clinic.<br><br>But Dante and his beloved, critically ill mother are under the control of his bitter uncle, who also provides health insurance. If his uncle finds out Dante is being treated for anything, let alone what Dante fears is an STD, he's ... Dante doesn't want to think about that. So he flees the clinic before he has to make a follow-up appointment.<br><br>The good doctor shows up at his uncle's farm when phone calls do nothing. And when Dante's uncle invites the doctor to dinner and serves a meal worthy of Medea, the doctor urges Dante and his mother to leave. But will they? And will Dante realize the doctor wants him as much as he wants the doctor?

So Let Us Rejoice

“Yes, please.” Although it was more to thumb my nose at my uncle than because I wanted to mingle with those in particular of my fellow students.


“Then go. And hopefully you’ll meet some boys who are smart enough to want you for a friend.” Mum smiled and ruffled my hair.


I knew it worried her that in the time we’d been here in the States, I hadn’t made any close friends my own age. I had any number of acquaintances, but no one I’d trust to share my deepest secret with.


“But will Uncle John let me have the car?”


“I’ll deal with him.” And somehow, she had.


Chapter 8