The Passionate Sister

In real life Virginia Thorndike, the author’s mother, died of a drug and alcohol overdose at the age of 57. In this novel she recovers and fights to stay clean. Her son Rob drives her home from rehab, pours her gin and wine onto the lawn and clears her house of all drugs. Her older son Jamie and his gay lover Miles also come to help, but after Miles is diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, Ginny must face her recovery alone through a cold and quiet winter. When Rob’s wife runs off, leaving him to care for their one-year-old twins, Ginny moves in with them. At the same time she hopes for a life of her own. In her family she was always the passionate sister, but it’s been years since she had a lover, and now she can’t imagine one. Even after the devoted Lyle appears, his attention sometimes feels threatening, and she hesitates to open up to him. Slowly, she does. Passion returns and they grow close.

©2025 John Thorndike (P)2025 John Thorndike