Joel and Family - Ted Louis

Continuing the story where "Joel: Escape from Abuse" ended; several months have passed since Crane Johnson adopted five abused boys. They have settled into a somewhat normal family, if you can call a thirty year-old bachelor raising five active boys, ages 6 to 13, as normal. Aserious, life-threatening illness strikes Joel. Crane strives to maintain the family unit, care for his sick son and run the consulting business he owns in San Antonio. The family has to temporarily relocate to Houston while Joel is in the hospital. The glue that holds the family together is their housekeeper and surrogate grandmother for the boys, Hildy. Along the way, other children in need cross the family's path and are helped to a better life. Crane's wealth allows him to solve most of the difficulties that come his way. The one exception is his social life. He is frustrated at every turn by family or business obligations. A near disaster happens when the family returns to San Antonio upon Joel's release from the hospital. The private jet Crane has chartered is forced to make an emergency landing. Each difficulty the family encounters strengthens the bonds the hold the family together.