Most Precious Blood

"Hard Luck Lenny Lasante is the quintessential good son, brother, and father. He fears a calamity will derail his son Frankie's future the way his own dreams were derailed upon his father's sudden death, when the seventeen-year-old Lenny dropped out school to become the family patriarch. Lenny again dared to dream when he met Frankie's mother, but she left him and their infant son. Lenny is adamant about Frankie leaving home for college; however, Frankie is preoccupied with thoughts of Gennaro DiCico, the son of a small-time mobster. Frankie's obsession with Gennaro endangers his life, and the danger becomes reality when Gennaro is shot, leaving Frankie emotionally shattered. The surprise appearance of a younger half-sister offers the grieving Frankie solace, though he's conflicted about his mother's return. Lenny hopes that the fondness burgeoning between the newfound siblings will hasten Frankie's recovery, and Lenny's own desire for Frankie's mother is ignited, but pending murder trials loom before them."