Emery C. Walters

At seventeen, Cal and his mother move from the city to a remote island. His mother becomes withdrawn and Cal worries that she has found out that he is gay. His father, who is stationed overseas, has warned him that if she finds out about his sexuality, it will kill her.<br><br>With no one to talk to and nowhere to go, Cal starts collecting driftwood to build himself a safe place, and while doing so, makes an unlikely friend. But when something terrible happens, will this friendship give him the strength he needs?

Driftwood Dragon

After my shower I was cold and smelled like fruit, but the towel was big and soft and I wrapped up in it from armpits to knees. When I came out she was standing there with a slinky red dress on a padded hanger, high heeled shoes in her hand, and—unmentionables draped over her other arm.


All the color fled my face. I felt it go. I got lightheaded. God knows what my face looked like but I let go of the towel somehow and that dumb thing fled too, right to the floor. I was lucky I’d just peed.


Chapter 3