It's Sky Morgan's 22nd birthday. He's unemployed and just had an awkward dinner with his dad. There wasn't even any cake, and Sky loves cake. Angry and morose, he decides to go out for a drink and randomly chooses the Grotto, a nearby gay bar.<br><br>The Grotto's clientele is different from the rest of society in more ways than one. However, they are very kind to Sky. He has a most comforting chat with Everest, an old drag queen, who is the first person ever to understand how awkward family can be. And then she introduces Sky to Slade, a mysterious and attractive young man. The chemistry between them is instant.<br><br>But is Slade a young man? He's more different than just being gay. Just how different, Sky finds out during daylight hours far below ground. As Sky's feelings towards his new friend mount, he learns they have more in common than he could possibly imagine.

Blue Sky

With the lights on, and no visible blood on the floor, he found it hard to wipe his eyes. He couldn’t slam them shut and wipe his arm over them as if he’d seen something dreadful, and he was too embarrassed to be obvious about the fact that he was crying. He could always go to the bathroom, but where was it, and what if he had to do this bartender thing? Hey, maybe he could make a career out of it! Then he could stop job hunting.


With Charlie gone, Mount Everest sidled closer. “So, honey, would you like to mount Everest?” But then she reached out and touched Sky’s arm. “You’re crying. What’s wrong? I know birthdays suck. Is it your family?”


Sky could not answer. Yes, it was his family. No, it was him. Yes, it was everything.


“I know it’s not the cake. Cake is just a symbol. A delicious, beautiful, yummy symbol—like you. You know what my family is like?”


Sky looked up, not ashamed of his tears anymore.


Chapter 4