What does a guy do when he tries to flush his life down the toilet-and the plumbing gets jammed? Brian Corcoran "Corky" Bonner was a precocious child; as a teen, he has been a happy high school student who has achieved success as an athlete, musician, and writer. But during his senior year, everything changes. A crippling series of tragedies-some caused by fate, others by malice-brings Corky to his knees. Overwhelmed by misfortunes and the sudden death of Mark, his life twin and soul mate, Corky's life quickly spins out of control. Lacking support from his parents and community, his suffering culminates in a serious-but failed-suicide attempt. Now, a few months shy of his eighteenth birthday, Corky must essentially start his life over. As a freshman at university, Corky struggles, dragged down by the need to stay afloat in the wake of tragedy. Along the way, he needs help-some of which he finds himself, while other help finds him. Corky must decide how to build his life anew, choosing those parts of his past that he wants to preserve and others he needs to discard. Can he find the strength to confront the ghosts of his past, the prejudices of his present, and the doubts of his future?