Overview

In Act One (The Outing) At a birthday party for his father, Gordon Bennet comes out to his parents and ex-wife, enraging his domineering mother. In Act Two (Family Values) Gordon's parents and ex-wife are invited to a farewell dinner at Gordon's apartment. Gordon is supposedly in remission with an HIV infection. Actually the disease is not in remission but Gordon does not want to keep his lover back from leaving on an archeological expedition. He hopes his ex-wife, who is still in love with him, will help see him through and she does. In Act Three (The Final Battle) Gordon has passed away. His parents arrive at his apartment where his ex-wife has been in charge. His lover arrives and the conflict between his mother and the lover and ex-wife, who are friendly, comes to a head. Old wounds are revealed and scores are settled. This is a poignant story of the results of the AIDS epidemic, told with great sensitivity and understanding.

Published in Six Ironic Comedies.