Philip feels in control of his life -- at least until his best friend, Jonathan, contracts AIDS, passes away, and leaves him feeling disconnected and uncertain about the future. Then the one steady influence in his life, his mother, becomes seriously ill. The doctor who makes the diagnosis of ovarian cancer is not hopeful. Once his mother commits to the treatment plan, there is nothing Philip can do but follow the blueprint they both hope will lead to her recovery.<br><br>In late April 1992, Philip accompanies his mother to Los Angeles for her monthly treatment. When he accidentally takes a wrong turn off the freeway, all hell breaks lose. Suddenly they find themselves in the center of the Rodney King riots. Gunshots ring out. Helicopters hover overhead. People loot and vandalize stores while others burn and overturn vehicles. Fires spring up all over the city.<br><br>In unfamiliar territory, Philip must guide his mother through this labyrinth of chaos to safety. With wit and insight coupled with a maternal concern for what's best for her son, Philip’s mother proves the old saying: a gay man’s best friend is truly his mother.

Your Mother Should Know

“Well, this is the last time we use you, right, Phil?” His mother loved a good fight, and apparently so did the clerk. 


“We’re the best and cheapest at the Burbank Airport. The other guys don’t have what we do, ma’am.”


Philip couldn’t hide his amusement. She hated being called ma’am; it was one of her longstanding pet peeves. Nothing to do now but hang back and watch her in action


“That’s exactly my point,” Mother said.


“Huh?” The clerk looked taken aback.


Philip let her have the last word. She usually did.


“They don’t have you.” And with that, she grabbed the car keys and headed for the door.


Mother waited impatiently outside while Philip circled the blue rental, ran his fingers over the paint, supposedly checking for dents. He bent down and looked underneath the frame. “Can’t be too careful,” he told her.


Chapter 2