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

“Cowardice is sometimes wisdom in drag,” Everest mused. “Caused by a sincere, deep-seated desire to survive. And you, my dear child, are a survivor.”


Slade was back, but Everest didn’t move. “Sit over there. You’re both skinny; you should fit.”


Slade did so, bumping his hip into Sky’s and then smiling up at him from under long lashes.


Sky felt awash in love but at the same time he was consumed by anger. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. You guys are so nice to me, and I feel so taken care of but, okay, I have to say this but I don’t want you to hate me. I couldn’t bear that. I’m so confused. Why couldn’t my dad have been open to me? Why the girl? It wasn’t fair to her. I think maybe her mom suspected something because she kept looking at me like I might start spitting out bugs or something, you know? It was horrible. And there wasn’t any goddamn, fucking, birthday cake and I’m twenty-two years old not six. And I want my goddamn fucking cake.”


Chapter 6