Seventeen-year-old Tomas has had his hands full taking care of his mother ever since the divorce. When she sees Al-Qaeda in their Portland, Oregon neighborhood and God in her grilled cheese sandwich, Tomas struggles to keep her on her meds and off Social Service’s radar. Her psychiatrist recommends that Tomas get his hands on a new book to help him understand her condition, but when he meets nineteen-year-old Jaden at the bookstore, he would rather get his hands on Jaden instead.  

His first crush couldn’t come at a worse time. His mother has lost her job. Social Services has started unannounced visits again, and to make matters worse, Tomas’s dad has filed for custody from 2,000 miles away. In between trips to the food bank and appearances in court, Tomas meets Jaden every chance he gets, but his mother’s condition keeps getting worse. When Jaden offers to hide Tomas if his father gains custody, Tomas is faced with a life-altering decision. Will he give up everything for the person who needs him or run away with the person who wants him? 

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