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

Brandon came bouncing out of the bathroom still completely naked. I looked away. I felt ashamed, but I did. I pointed to the dresser and closet and by the time I had scooped up the kitten, played with the drapes and looked out the window (what the heck, there were tombstones out there! That one field, that wasn’t a field, it was a cemetery!) and turned around, he looked like a mirror reflection of me. Both of us reincarnated as 1950’s James Deans. Okay, I know, ancient, but still old enough to be cool again, so there.


I thought I had the kitten calmed down again but then Brandon said, “I forgot to thank that lady who brought me in the extra towels. Was that the maid?”


No one had walked through this room to the bathroom. No one. Now both the kitten and I were getting chicken skin again.


Chapter 19