All Trey’s father wants him to do is be nice to the homophobic class bully, his business partner's son. But that’s like trying to mix oil and gasoline: explosive. So Trey decides to run away, which is hard to do on a rainy, muddy, haunted night on the small island of Maui. Another kid in school, Chris, stood up for Trey against the bully and was badly beaten for his efforts. Which makes Trey wonder if Chris is gay, too, or just a brave ally. Trey doesn’t know, but there’s clearly something brewing between them. When Trey’s dad expects him to go to the bully’s birthday party, Trey sneaks off to go surfing instead. Hitchhiking to the beach, he meets up with an interesting old geezer, who just might be able to help him figure out what he’s going through. Will the forces on this fiery island break apart Trey and Chris? Or is there hope for something more than friendship between them buried under the Maui ash?

Spring Tide Love

In the back of my mind I recalled how quickly we had reached the little cove, and wondered if that had been part of a rip current that I hadn’t noticed. At the same time I finally spotted what I thought was Reg’s snorkel sticking up out of the water, about fifty yards back the way we had come, but coming closer. Yeah, that was his; I recognized the pirate duct tape he had wrapped around the top. It was definitely him. He’d know what to do. I’d just have to get his attention. Just him being there made me feel strong, like he—or I—could handle whatever had to be done. The girl was calming down but still crying. “My leg hurts and I’m scared! I want my Daddy but he’s—lost. Stupid Daddy! He was supposed to be watching me! Mommy is going to be so mad!” She grimaced and her cute little face was still adorable. Her hair was probably blond and curly but right now it looked like seaweed plastered all over her head. Somehow that too only added to her charm.


Chapter 13