Dad left wen Mom was pregnant with sister. Mom developed a gambling problem, got in with some bad people, put into rehab while kids stayed with grandmother. Things got better for a little while. Started gambling again when Boy was 14, not as bad as before, still had income. Fell in with a man who introduced her to cocaine. Drug problem. Grandmother died. Started leaving Boy in charge while she would disappear for days at a time, eventually come back with a new man, promising things would be different now. 15- Boy drops out of school to start working and taking care of his brother and sister. Mom starts staying away longer - week, two weeks, month. 16- Mom is gone for two months with no word. Boy decides when she comes back to give her ultimatum. Tells her that if she leaves again, they won't be here when she gets back. She's home for five days before leaving again. Boy packs up as much as he can into the car and leaves with siblings. Ends up in a small town in Illinois/midwest, rents one bedroom apartment above a shop, gets fake ID and papers to say he's 21 and legal guardian. Enrolls brother and sister in school, gets a job at the grocery store and at the bar down the street. Eventually gets propositioned by one of the male customers, ends up having sex with him for $600. Doesn't sell himself, per se, has three or four regular clients. Young cop, just starting on the force, start watching him, figures out what he's doing. Tries to be his friend, find out more, etc. Friendly terms, not exactly close. Boy gets a new customer who beats the shit out of him, he goes to the cop, Cop tries to get him to go to the hospital and press charges, he refuses. Cop cleans him up. Boy keeps an eye on news in Vegas, keeps in touch with 2 or 3 people, finds out his mom is dead, overdose/killed by drug dealer? Goes to cop to mourn. Two start spending more time together 17- Finally confides in cop what happened, Cop helps him get emancipated? Cop has family tragedy, moves to Washington State, spends last night with Boy, maybe sex, maybe not. 21- Actually 21 now, Cop moves back to town, reunion? Somehow, yay.