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

An odd slurping sound came from under the piano. We all looked. Busted was licking his balls.


“Oh,” said Brandon in a small voice. Then louder, “Oh! For fuck’s sake! Why couldn’t you just say so!”


And we other three were all rolling in the aisles.


And just because he had to have the last word, Elvis said quietly, “Parking the Plymouth in the garage of love.”


But Ducky wasn’t cowed so easily. As she got up, she said, “Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo.”


Brandon sat there pouting and glaring. I was holding my stomach making feeble giggling noises


Elvis whispered, “Vulcanize the whoopee stick.”


“Not you, too!” snarled Brandon. Then he tossed his head and exclaimed, “One does not simply walkinto Mordor.”


All of us turned and looked at him. None of us had a clue now. I knew it was a quote from some recent movie, but that’s all I knew, and the adults knew even less.


“I win,” Brandon said smugly. Elvis and Ducky just smiled proudly.


Chapter 24