Gary's hero, his Uncle Rob is dying of AIDS, which Gary refuses to believe. However Rob's condition worsens and Gary has to face the fact that Rob won't be alive for much longer. Gary also has to accept the fact that Rob is gay, and then worry that he, too, is gay. Gary's mother and neighbours are very supportive and open throughout this period, enabling Gary to grieve in his own way. Rob's love for Gary, and Gary's for Rob, is unaffected by the realities of Rob's sexuality. Gary comes to learn that he can still be like Rob, that the best parts of Rob are unrelated to Rob's sexuality.