Gay teen Jack is hiding out in a bully’s car in the hopes of retrieving his backpack when he’s joined by another stowaway. Brittany, who wants to be called Brandon, is a transgendered classmate also on the run. When the bully crashes his car, it’s the start of a journey that will bring Jack and Brandon together in the hopes of finding a new future.<br><br>Along the way, they meet Buster, a dog that saves their lives; Alvin, who is heading to Denver to sell his car and offers them a ride; and Ducky, a loud-mouthed but loveable woman who is apparently more than just Alvin’s friend.<br><br>When a tornado hits, Jack and Brandon have a chance to prove their mettle and show what they are made of. But is there happiness at the end of their journey?

Breaking into Cars

It couldn’t have been much later when I suddenly woke. My head was nestled on Brandon’s shoulder and his legs were over mine. We must have looked like a giant pretzel. I could hear his heart thumping below his—well, his chest. There. I knew they were breasts but I’d respect his identity if it killed me. Pronouns were hard. I realized I was, too. Anyhow, I wondered what woke me and I heard a voice saying, “Busted! Where the fuck are you?! Get back here!” I could hear bushes being shaken and an occasional thud or sharp crack of a stick being broken. There was a lot of cursing and creative swearing going on.


Chapter 4