Three young men from very different homes, just coming into their own sexuality, bond at a time when information about homosexuality is scarce to the average teen. Their strong connection cannot survive high school and heartache, however, and their triangle collapses under the weight of prejudice and a need to escape.<br><br>Ten years later, Tucker is bitter and hurt by all the tragedy in his life since those long ago happier days. Reclusive, somewhat animalistic, and completely content to stay that way, he’s brought up short by an unexpected confrontation with the past and feelings that won't stay buried.

Fur, Feathers, and Claws

“But the mutt won her over quickly, and soon everything was peachy keen again.”


Tuck added a wink and extra hand squeeze whenever he said ‘peachy keen,’ like even back when the phrase was popular, he found it dippy enough to require one. Tucker Wade loved holding hands with his father. He missed holding hands with his mom, and even then, anxious, always thinking, as the sensory recollection of his mother’s touch faded day by day, he tried to store the feel of his father’s grip away, so he could always bring it back, when they weren’t holding hands for real.


“When I tried to bring home a cat, and her kittens, Tucker Wade—six kittens—your mother put her Montgomery Ward’s saddle shoe down. ‘Absolutely not!’ she said.”


Chapter 8