This novel is about three men from distinctly different backgrounds whose initial aspirations bear little or no resemblance. An unmotivated surfer beach bum who dropped out of three colleges, a highly intelligent orphan who was adopted by overbearing micromanaging parents, and a gay small town sportswriter are brought together by accident of circumstance. Their friendship is cemented when a fourth young man, known only to one of the three during early childhood, reenters the scene. The support all four offer each other produces no miracles but substantially improves their temperament, life expectations, and concern for others.