Gabe’s Story by Lee Swift, Kris Cook

Gabe

I’m about to turn 18, and that means I’m on my own. They say I’m an adult, but I sure don’t feel like one. Will I be able to make it in the real world as an openly gay, former foster kid? I lost my mom when I was very young. Since then, my whole life has been one disaster after another. I’ve learned to depend on myself alone. Always alone, though there is one exception when I met Liam. Even though we were just kids, our bond was unbreakable. He had my back like no one else. But Liam was adopted out of the system and we lost track of each other. I’ve thought about him for years. I miss him so much. If I could find him, would he care that I’m gay? Why do I keep thinking about him? Because everything I’ve ever known is about to change and I’m scared. God, I wish I could find him? Is that even possible? Or is my fate to remain alone for the rest of my life?