Summary

In Chapter 1, "Ethan," first person narrator, Ethan, describes growing up in New York. He lived with his sister, Allyson, his mother, Abby, and his father, Gil, in a large Upper West Side apartment. Gil was often away in Asia, overseeing "the cheap manufacture of ladies' garments" (3). Whenever he returned, Abby threw parties. She always wished she could travel with Gil, but never did. Sometimes Gil took the family to "a favorite Thai restaurant in Queens" when he was in town (5).

When Ethan was in college, he told his parents he was gay. Gil said he now had "to revise everything" he knew about Ethan (6).

Shortly after Ethan finished law school, Allyson married Blake. At their wedding, Ethan met Tony, and "fell in love" (9). A year later, they moved in together. Then Allyson called with news about Gil. Abby had found a legal notice...