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

Behind me I heard, “You heard the boy. There is no one here by that name. You can take your information and…”


She pulled the door halfway shut behind her, but I’m sure I might have learned a few more things if she hadn’t.


Then it dawned on me. “Brittany?” Oh hell no. Anyhow, she was out of sight if not out of sound. Except, wait, she was opening the door. I ran down that hall, grabbed her arm, and pushed her ahead of me into the back stairway! “Quick!” I begged. “Run up to the attic and hide!” And she, er, he, took off, wide-eyed, still sniveling, but now totally silent.


I took a deep breath and went back to the table. I could see Ducky in the doorway trying to shut the door, but the man had his leg stuck inside. “Is that her? That boy? Is that her disguised as a boy?”


Chapter 26