The last thing 50 year old Jerry McKenzie wants or needs is a child.  Nonetheless, he finds himself the reluctant guardian of ten year old William, when William’s parents are killed leaving Jerry as the boy’s only remaining family.  Jerry has no idea what to do with a child and doesn’t necessarily want to learn, but William’s sweet, wounded heart call out to the crusty artist in ways he’s never experienced before.  Also calling out to his heart – and parts south of that organ – is William’s teacher, David Lowenberger.  Forty-two, with the “ass of a twenty-year-old”, David is tender where Jerry is gruff, and has a wounded spirit of his own.  In spite of himself, Jerry finds himself falling – for the child and for the man. 

David shares the attraction, but a painful break-up leaves him unwilling to risk his heart.  As time goes by, though, he realizes that it was never his choice to make.  His heart was lost from William’s first shy smile, and from Jerry’s first intent glance.  This is where the three should have their happily-ever-after, but that’s not yet to be.  As a public school teacher, David finds himself the target of a vicious smear campaign aimed straight at his relationships with Jerry and William.  David now is faced with choosing between his life-calling and his love.  The only question is, will he and the people he’s come to love be able to live with the consequences. 

D.W. Marchwell creates a vivid and realistic situation in Good to Know.  David and Jerry are both wounded, yet each possesses a strength and grace that save them from being whiny or brutal, though the repetition of Jerry’s catch-phrase, “good to know” does verge on annoying.  Both men also escape the unfortunately wide-spread stereotype of girly-men one so often finds in m/m romance.  Indeed, David and Jerry are “real men,” and until the ignorant and bigoted make an issue of it, their homosexuality is the least important part of the story.  The heart of the story, the true love story, is two strong men falling in love with a child.  Any parent will tell you that nothing compares to that unconditional love and desire to see your child be all he or she can be.  Seeing that love blossom in Jerry, and seeing it heal David, gives Good to Know some truly beautiful moments.  I’d like to end there but, like in life, there are people whose intolerance and fear threatens to destroy what they don’t understand.  I’m usually not a fan of the m/m story that falls back on the “society won’t accept me” plotline, but considering David’s occupation as a teacher, it’s a story that needs to be told and Mr. Marchwell tells it well, with a deft touch and impeccable timing.  I found myself rooting for David as he faced accusation and fought for his job, and I found myself aching with Jerry over the decisions his lover made.  In the end, as I saw many characters step up for what was right, and others grow and evolve, I put down Good to Know with a sigh of appreciation, and a sense of hope that sometimes right does triumph, and love does conquer all.