Joel and Family — Ted Louis

Continuing the story where Joel: Escape from Abuse ended; severalmonths have passed since Crane Johnson adopted five abused boys.They have settled into a somewhat normal family, if you can call athirty year-old bachelor raising five active boys, ages 6 to 13, asnormal. Aserious, life-threatening illness strikes Joel. Crane strives tomaintain the family unit, care for his sick son and run the consultingbusiness he owns in San Antonio. The family has to temporarilyrelocate to Houston while Joel is in the hospital. The glue that holdsthe family together is their housekeeper and surrogate grandmotherfor the boys, Hildy. Along the way, other children in need cross thefamily's path and are helped to a better life. Crane's wealth allowshim to solve most of the difficulties that come his way. The oneexception is his social life. He is frustrated at every turn by family orbusiness obligations. A near disaster happens when the family returnsto San Antonio upon Joel's release from the hospital. The private jetCrane has chartered is forced to make an emergency landing. Eachdifficulty the family encounters strengthens the bonds the hold thefamily together.