Eighteen year-old Aaron Pickard is dealing with a lot: he’s falling for his straight best friend, his mother has ended up in the hospital after a violent assault by his father, and he’s trying to decide when to come out. Tack on the stress of an upcoming prom and graduation, a part-time job, and the possibility he could lose his best friend, and he’s an emotional wreck.<br><br>Aaron’s best friend Jeff Leaton provides a soft place for him to fall when his life is thrown into chaos, literally holding him each night as they fall asleep. As Jeff helps Aaron navigate through the mess that has become his new normal, Aaron’s feelings for Jeff intensify.<br><br>Aaron’s pretty sure it’s all going to end badly, but he’s holding on to hope.

Holding On

“Pam,can I borrow your charger?Do you have it here?”


“Sure,it’s right here.My phone’s charged.”


I breathed a sigh of relief as I texted him back…


It wasn’t until about ten minutes later when I got the next text.


Okay.Goodnight Aaron.If you need ANYTHING,please call me.I am here for you.I am so very sorry about your mom.


I stared at his words for a minute before I turned off the phone and climbed to the top of the bed.I set a pillow behind my back and Pamela lay next to me.I clicked from the news program on TV to one of our favorite shows.She snuggled up as I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and we quietly watched without talking.


When the program ended,I looked down to see Pamela silently crying.I didn’t know what to say,so I pulled her closer and hugged her tight.


“Do you think Mom can see us?”she whispered.


Chapter 35