Chapter 22

“You ever play against Derek Rawe?”

I did. He played for the Atlanta Arrows as a kicker. The guy was good, but not as good as our hometown kicker, Matthew Jordon.

“He’s my cousin, not that I really talk to him since my family wants nothing to do with me.”

“Why doesn’t your family want anything to do with you?”

“Because I’m queer, and they don’t approve of my lifestyle. They think being gay is a choice.”

“That’s too bad,” I said, feeling sorry for the kid and other men in the world who had lived lives just like him, void of families because of differences. “Some people can’t think outside the box.”

“They can’t. That’s my whole family.”

“How old are you, Tommy?”

“Nineteen.”

“And how long have you lived on the streets?”

“How did you know I live on the streets?”

“Just a guess.”

“Two years.” He finished the last of his sausage and wiped a bare arm across his mouth. Following his meal, he asked, “How about that shower?”