William Kowalski

Old Thomas Mann gets a second crack at fatherhood when a baby boy is delivered to his doorstep. A note identifies the boy as the illegitimate child of Mann's son, Eddie, a soldier killed in Vietnam. The novel is narrated by the boy.

Kat is a tough, independent woman who makes her living as a professional poker player. She is single, childless, and happy about it. But when her best friend, Josie, commits suicide, Kat becomes the temporary guardian of Josie's ten-year-old son, David. As the days pass, Kat begins to realize that all the money and success in the world don't mean a thing unless you have someone to share it with.