Nick thinks he's the luckiest kid in the world since he has not one but two moms. He realizes that he's different from other kids but he knows how much his moms love him. He goes fishing and goofs around with Jo, his birth mother's wife and his mom works hard and makes money to take care of them. As he gets older he begins to realize how different he is from other families. Kids at school are quick to point out that they do not think his family is "normal" even though it is to Nick since that's all he has ever known.

Nick's moms begin to have marital problems and he is put in the middle. His biological mom is not happy that Jo drinks a lot and can't keep a job while she goes to law school. As his family life begins to unravel Nick begins to see his moms differently. He begins to see how cruel people who love each other can be. He is forced to pick sides by the behavior they display and the author does a wonderful job showing that the biological connection between a mother and child is not necessarily stronger than an emotional bond. There is also a strong argument to be made that the more financially stable parent is not the best choice either. The way that Nick's mother treats her former wife is vicious and cold. Peters does a stellar job showing the selfishness of his mother and how that affects Nick's relationship with Jo.

This story is not sugarcoated. The writing is frank and shows the difficulties facing a non-traditional family but what really makes it work is the way Peters incorporates issues facing so-called traditional families as well. Parents are people too and they do not always do what is best for their children. They may try to be altruistic but they do selfish things that end up hurting their children. Nick's parents may be two women, but they treat one another the same way that other couples do. They love each other and hurt each other and make mistakes that affect themselves and those around them and it has nothing to do with being gay.

© 2007 Amy Ridley

Amy Ridley received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Boston University.

Categories: Children, Sexuality