Busted Flat — Michael Loyd Gray

Busted Flat is gritty coming of age story of Hap, a homeless orphaned teenaged boy picked up by Shiner, a veteran of the Afghanistan wars. Together they travel the U.S. surviving by stealth and theft. Masterfully told by the boy Hap, the boy's experience with Shiner gradually leads to a dawning realization that the man who "saved" him from the streets, who sees that he is fed and has a place to sleep, is deeply troubled. PTSD makes Shiner's behavior erratic and sometimes violent. Where will their relationship lead? Is the boy safe? What other option does Hap have? Told with humor and empathy, this cautionary tale reveals the impoverished dark side of the American Dream. Short flash fiction chapters lead the reader through this novella and paint a frightening picture of how many young runaways and homeless veterans try to survive in today's America. Hap's voice is heartbreakingly authentic, giving readers insight to how teen runaways experience life in the U.S.A.