Akira Watanabe’s greatest issue isn’t being a lesbian, but rather having a father with the maturity of a teenager. He’s a heavy drinker and hardly works, so she supports them both with a job at a local convenience mart. It’s there she befriends police sergeant Rosey Garatino, who frequents the store and lives in the same complex as the Watanabes. Akira has the hots for a Goth girl named Jade, but unfortunately, Jade likes guys, and she also drinks and smokes. One night when Jade comes into the store, drunk, and tries to steal some beer, Akira stops her. Jade gets sick, and Akira helps her outside. Sparks fly between them, but nothing happens. Later Akira hears rumors that Jade is a lesbian. The heat that smoldered between them now sparks into a fire, especially when Jade promises to quit drinking and smoking. Akira’s surprised to learn Jade is Rosey’s daughter. Growing up can be difficult in the best of situations, but the neighborhood where Akira and Jade live is dangerous, too. As their friendship deepens into love, will they be able to protect each other and find their happy ending?

Saving Akita

They watched other black belts spar, and soon the class was over. Akira drove home feeling like she learned a year’s worth of knowledge.


The next month passed in almost a flash. Dad pled guilty to his second DUI, and his court-appointed attorney got the recommended nine-month jail time cut to three months. He told Dad the jail is overcrowded, and drunk driving prisoners are the first to be given early release. He estimated Dad would be out of jail in thirty days.


Dad’s car was impounded and held by the police in a private towing yard. The bill was $1,013 to get it out, money Dad didn’t have.


Akira told him at dinner, “Dad, I want you to move out. The condo is in my name now that I’ve turned eighteen. It’s not working. I’m tired of being the adult. You still drink, and I’ve had it. You have sixty days to find another place to live.”


Chapter 31