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

“No. I don’t think so,” Tucker admitted. “I mean, I put it in my pocket. I should have, like, thought about it long before now. You said it was important, and it was.”


“Ace, thingsare never most important.” It seemed like an odd thing for someone so wrapped up in collecting—in hoarding—to say. “It’ll turn up…or else it won’t. There’s plenty more where that came from. Just don’t lose them all.” He reached up to stroke Tucker’s cheek. The claw at the end of the tool glove scraped the bristly whiskers where Tucker sometimes shaved.


Tucker shivered. “Can you, like, take that thing off, man?” he huffed.


His dad smiled. It took him several seconds to unwrap a series of straps that secured the thing to his arm. When he pulled it off, Tucker gasped. “What happened to your fingers?” He reached for his father’s hand.


Tucker took his dad by the wrist—above the gnarled fingers. “How did I not notice this before?”


“You have better things to do. You’re growing up.”


Chapter 34