The Perfect Family

• Synopsis
  
• Author's Note
  
• Dedication
  
• Chapter One
  
• Chapter Two
  
• Chapter Three
  
• Chapter Four
  
• Chapter Five
  
• Chapter Six
  
• Chapter Seven
  
• Chapter Eight
  
• Chapter Nine
  
• Chapter Ten
  
• Chapter Eleven
  
• Chapter Twelve
  
• Chapter Thirteen
  
• Chapter Fourteen
  
• Chapter Fifteen
  
• Chapter Sixteen
  
• Chapter Seventeen
  
• Chapter Eighteen
  
• Chapter Nineteen
  
• Chapter Twenty
  
• Chapter Twenty-One
  
• Chapter Twenty-Two
  
• Chapter Twenty-Three
  
• Chapter Twenty-Four
  
• Chapter Twenty-Five
  
• Chapter Twenty-Six
  
• About the Author
  
• Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
  

What happens to the “perfect family” when the future suddenly changes in the most unexpected way?

Seventeen-year old Jamie Davidson doesn't think being gay should be such a big deal...until he comes out to his parents and friends. Even as Jamie celebrates no longer needing to hide his true self and looks forward to the excitement of openly dating another boy, the entire Davidson family is thrown into turmoil. Jamie's father Mike can't reconcile his religious beliefs with his son's sexuality. His brother Brian is harassed by his jock buddies and angry at Jamie for complicating all their lives. Maggie, his mother, fears being able to protect her son while struggling to save her crumbling marriage. And Jamie feels guilty for the unhappiness his disclosure has caused. Every member of their “perfect family” must search their hearts and souls to reconnect with each other in this honest, heartwarming, and hopeful look at the redemptive power of love and family.

The Perfect Family

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The Perfect Family

© 2010 By Kathryn Shay. All Rights Reserved.

ISBN 13: 978-1-60282-480-5

This Electronic Book is published by

Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

P.O. Box 249

Valley Falls, New York 12185

First Edition: September 2010

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

Credits

Editor: Stacia Seaman

Production Design: Stacia Seaman

Cover Design By Sheri ([email protected])

Dear Readers,

Several years ago, in between my other contracted books, I started writing
The Perfect Family.
Then, however, it was titled
A Mother’s Story.
It didn’t take me long to realize this tale was everybody’s story, so the book was renamed. It also went through many iterations. Believe it or not, the first draft was in first person. The first three drafts didn’t have a secondary storyline. And with each version, the characters kept getting more complicated and deeper, the plot more complex, and the themes more life-changing.

The reason for this is because what happens when a kid comes out to his parents is more complicated, deep, and complex than anyone can imagine. The disclosure doesn’t have to be painful, but it does change a family’s life. At least that’s what happened to me. My son is gay and when he told us, all I wanted to do was assure him that I loved him and handle the situation well. I didn’t know then it wasn’t all up to me. Extended family, the church, school, the neighbors, best friends were all affected by his coming out and they affected our family during that time. The book isn’t autobiographical. It’s fiction. But many of the events in the story happened to us, or happened to families of other gay kids I knew. Some of it is gleaned from what I read after my son’s disclosure. I don’t think it should matter how much is true or not for our family because all of it is true for some gay teen, somewhere, who comes out.

I love this book with all my heart and soul because it tells a story I badly wanted to tell. I want the book to offer hope to teens and parents who are going through the situation we experienced. I want both teens and parents to learn something about the process. I want to alert people to the fact that with love, sincerity, honesty, and a little help from their friends they can experience the ups and downs of the coming-out process with grace, integrity, and hope. I think my family did it this way and I couldn’t be prouder of them.

I hope you enjoy the book. You can contact me via e-mail at kshayweb@ rochester.rr.com to let me know your thoughts.

Or visit me online at: www.kathrynshay.com kathrynshay.livejournal.com www.myspace.com/kathrynshay www.facebook.com/pages/Kathryn-Shay-Fan-Page/241178789369

To get a free copy of a CD by the real person Jamie’s character is based on, order
The Perfect Family
from www.BoldStrokesBooks.com and receive it with your order. Or check out www.kathrynshay.com/current. perfect.family.html for availability from the author.

For my son Ben. I love you.

The Cancun sun sparkled on the surface of the Caribbean Sea while a cool breeze wafted off the water and played peek-a-boo with Maggie Davidson’s dark hair. She struggled to tie it back, but the wind won.

“It’s a lost cause, Mom. Put on your hat.” Her son Brian bent over, picked up the straw monstrosity they’d bought at an open-air market, and handed it to her. Bronzed after only a few days on the island, he grinned down at her. His shoulders were as wide as his father’s but he hadn’t quite reached Mike’s six-foot height.

“Thanks.” She patted the chaise. “Sit a minute.”

“Can’t. I’m playing catch with Dad and Tim down on the beach. Gotta keep my arm in shape for my last season.”

Brian was the star third baseman on his high school team and hoped to get a baseball scholarship to college. Before he took off, he kissed her cheek. He smelled like sunscreen and Maggie was hit with a memory—she and Mike and their best friends, Gretta and Tim Chandler, vacationing in Myrtle Beach every spring break. The adults had to physically corral all three small kids to coat them with lotion.

“Then go play with the guys.”

As he swaggered off in a way that had girls falling at his feet, Maggie gave in to her nostalgia. The reminder of time passing was the impetus for this whole trip. She and Gretta wanted to bring their two families together before their now-grown children dispersed. Gretta’s daughter Amber was in college and would graduate in May. In nine months, Brian would go off to a yet-undetermined university. Then after next year, Maggie’s younger son Jamie would be on his way, leaving her and Mike empty nesters. Already.

Another shadow fell over her. “You okay, Mommykins? You got that, ‘Oh, I wish they were little again’ look on your face.”

Ah, her intuitive child. Jamie seemed to know when something was bothering her. If she had a fight with Mike or a problem at work, he’d guess all was not well. Even when she was simply down in the dumps, Jamie sensed it.

In many ways, Maggie had a special affinity for him. He liked to do what she did—they went to plays in downtown Rochester, preferred the same movies, and recorded their favorite TV shows to watch together later. Interestingly, Brian and Mike frequented car shows, did weights in the basement, and went to sports events in the area. Their family was lucky, she’d always thought, that they could fill the kids’ needs this way. It had never been a problem because, of course, Mike spent alone time with Jamie as she did with Bri. And the boys were each other’s best friends.

“Mom. You’re spacing out.”

“I was thinking about when we used to go to Myrtle Beach all those years ago.”

Lanky and slim, but with broad shoulders like all the Davidson men, Jamie flopped into the chaise next to her. His dark hair, thick and wavy, fell into his eyes. It was the exact color of hers. “This trip was an awesome idea. I
so
can’t believe we’re here on Christmas.”

“It’s the only week we could coordinate our schedules to get away.”

“It’s great, especially now that Brian’s stopped sulking ’cuz he had to leave Heather.”

Heather Barone was the pretty junior who’d become the love of her older son’s life. Maggie liked the girl right away, and that hadn’t changed in the two years she and Brian had been together.