When Hectics Sting

About the Book

A pregnant wife dies–-her son is born. The baby is plumped into the midst of a clannish family, whose adults are actively or on the brink of living productive lives. It takes a year to find a way to keep him en famille: an adventure with iffy chances of success all along the way.

About the Author

I've met many teachers, comprising a broad array of knowledge and genius. One in particular comes to mind. I entered her biology class my first high school day. She took the roll, and went right to work. She raised a small beaker half full of pure water, which she said was my brain at birth. She added several spoonfulls of dirt, and said this was my brain after fourteen years gathering street-filth concerning the facts of life. Her flask of distilled water was the pure biology she would offer me during two semesters, but no matter how much I adsorbed the filth remained.