Nancy Sullivan's latest novel is about the Ryans-a family coming together as it's falling apart. Walt, age 63, is fighting cancer, and Lucinda, his wife of 40-odd years, takes him home to nurse. Her lover, Sam, comes along, just as he has for ten years. Greg, the oldest son at 45, tries never to be in the same town with Walt, much less the same room, where they are now dying together. His sister, Mindy, is leaving Curtis who has taken up with Shawna in hopes that things will all work out. Todd, the youngest Ryan at 38, has lost Daniel to tango. Still, six-year-old Anthony needs a foster father and Todd and his dog, Ricky, figure Anthony is just what they need. The Ryans sit down to dinner together, share late-night confessions, clash over Walt's care, and hope that life will work out. It does, but not exactly as planned.