When Terry and Kel Coleman run from their abusive father, they end up in Denver. The day they arrive, they meet three street kids named Rudy, Snap, and Josie. The brothers move into the trio's squat where Rudy and the others teach Terry and Kel the ins-and-outs of survival on the streets. While that happens, Terry and Rudy are drawn to each other and begin a tentative relationship.<br><br>Then Kel is almost kidnapped by a man sent by his father to bring him home. Forced to leave their squat to keep Kel safe, they turn to a local pastor for help. Thanks to the pastor, the five young people may find hope for their future -- if they can survive the present. In the process, can the budding relationship between Terry and Rudy survive, or will it be torn apart by the life they're forced to live?

Surviving

“Now we hope Mr. Wilson likes it,” Snap said as they tossed the last of the empty paint cans in the dumpster.


“He will. We did great,” Rudy assured him.


“So now what?” Terry asked as they walked back down to the unit they were using. “We’ll have to move out of here, probably the sooner the better as far as he’s concerned. He’ll want to rent out the rowhouses, or—what do you call it? Flip them to make a healthy profit now that they’re in good shape? Find someone else to buy them.”


Josie sighed. “I guess that means we go looking for another squat.” She glanced around when they got inside. “I’m going to miss this place. It may not be much of a home, given how little furniture there is, but it’s better than anywhere we’ve been since we started living on the streets.”


“We’ll face that problem tomorrow,” Rudy told them. “Tonight, we’re having one final meal out. Somewhere that’s not a fast-food joint or a food cart.”


Chapter 48