Play the Pipes Softly

What started as a small lump no larger than a child's marble is doing to Cody MacDonald what a lengthy stint of combat duty, several enraged former girlfriends, and dozens of maddened, wild-eyed bulls have failed to do. He is dying.

Looking back on his past gives him no comfort. He feels his life has had little impact for good on the world. He thinks he has messed up the lives of every woman who ever loved him. He thinks, "I've been whippin' and spurrin' all my life straight into a dead end."

Marla, his nurse, doesn't think a nice guy like Cody could have messed things up so badly — and she sets about to prove it.

If you're a woman, you'll fall in love with Cody MacDonald. If you're a man, you'd want him as your best friend.