The Knight's Table: A 36 year old man with Asperger's and her outsider boyfriend

"The Knight's Table" is a compelling literary fiction and psychological drama that delves into the intricate and often unsettling dynamics of codependency within a family unit. Set against the backdrop of a suburban townhouse and a rural hospital, the novel introduces readers to Tommy, a 36-year-old man with Asperger's syndrome, whose cognitive limitations and a lifetime of enmeshment have led him to believe he is his mother Linda's husband. This belief manifests in spousal-like caregiving routines, from meticulously preparing meals to managing household affairs, all while Linda, a 58-year-old survivor of domestic abuse, subtly manipulates and relies on his devotion, driven by her own guilt and profound loneliness.
The delicate balance of their codependent world is shattered by the arrival of Mike, Linda's 62-year-old new boyfriend. Mike's presence acts as a catalyst, exposing the blurred boundaries and forcing a confrontation with the unhealthy nature of their relationship. The narrative escalates during Linda's hospital stay for surgery, culminating in Tommy's raw, desperate text message—"I cannot stand to be in the same room as him"—and his subsequent flight. Through shifting perspectives between Tommy, Linda, and Mike, the novel meticulously explores the psychological impact of their intertwined lives, contrasting their dysfunctional dynamic with the ideal of a healthy son-to-mother relationship.