Lost in the Shoe

Joe Ralston watches his buddy Al Lerner as his life falls apart. First, he has a heart attack. Then he goes into a coma. The drugs his physicians use affects his kidney, and he needs a transplant. Joe plays golf with Al to get his body in shape for the surgery. They also play folk music together. Joe feels their souls touch as they become best friends. Joe also becomes part of the Lerner family. He feels for them as Al's brother Matt dies. Al works as a counseling psychologist. To aid a client, he studies child pornography. But when it is found on his computer, the FBI arrests him, and his life becomes a tragedy. He is sentenced to 10 years in prison. Throughout it all Joe sticks by him. The letters they write each other are poignant. Joe promises Al he will look after his wife Renee, but she develops a drinking problem that turns their lives to ashes.

Joseph Brisben wanted to be an author ever since he was in the third grade and his teacher chided him for scribbling when he should have been reading his composition aloud. Joe spent his career as a journalist, in college public relations, and as a financial advisor. All the while he kept short stories and song lyrics. When he retired as a broker, he started writing longer works. He has published three novels, Marvin's Garden, Skip Day, and Sweet Lorraine. Lost in the Shoe is his fourth. He has four adult children and four grandchildren and lives in Iowa City, Iowa.