Free The Sky Is Dead by Sue Brown Page A

stopped me from getting stabbed or worse, that although you’re homeless you don’t take drugs or drink. You were polite to her and didn’t expect to be invited back. She knows you take care of me by not rushing things and by being careful. Christ, Danny, some of the skanky mares at school screw around without any protection, and the boys just use them. I’ve chased one boy and he takes care of me by saying no.”
    “Why is she so cool about you being gay?”
    “Her brother was gay. He died of AIDS complications about ten years ago. When she found out about me, she was scared for me, and then you come along and look after me. You walk on water as far as she’s concerned.”
    I process this for a moment. “I envy you so much.” The words get caught in my throat.
    Harry shifts so now it’s me wrapped in his arms. “I hate your mum and dad,” he whispers, “but if they hadn’t hurt you, I’d never have met you.”
    That’s true. I think of how my life would have been, and wonder if, just maybe, I’m a little lucky after all.

Chapter Seven
     
    I DON ’ T really need to visit the drop-in center for breakfast, but because Harry’s at school and the weather isn’t great, I have nowhere else to hang out. Ben is behind the counter when I walk in, pouring tea into a mug for Old Johnnie.
    Johnnie takes his mug and retreats to the window seat, grunting a greeting when he sees me.
    I smile and make my way over to Ben to say hello. He doesn’t return my greeting, and when I look closely I can see he’s been crying. “Ben? Are you okay?”
    He sniffs loudly. “We got some news about Billy.”
    I have a sick feeling in my stomach. “What’s happened to him?”
    “They found him near the railway line this morning.”
    “He got hit by a train?”
    Ben shakes his head. “The transport police think he was more likely electrocuted by the rails. Billy was drunk. One of the police dealing with the case recognized him as one of ours.”
    I blink back the tears. I liked Billy. He’d been a friend from the time I arrived in town. It was he who showed me where to find cardboard to pad out the beds and where to find thrown-out food we could eat when we had no money.
    “Hey, drink this and sit down. You look like you’re going to pass out, kid.”
    Normally I’d have glared at him for calling me kid, but I’m still in shock. Ben hands me a hot chocolate and I take it over to the chair by the radiator.
    I can’t believe he’s gone, but I’m not surprised. Billy was only a few years older than me. He’d always been happy, but once Lil died, so did his happiness. I sip the chocolate, making it last. I’m short of money now. I’ve not earned any since my relationship with Harry got more intense. I’m going to have to separate out our lives if I’m going to keep eating. I can’t rely on Harry to feed me. He does feed me, every day. But what happens if one day he doesn’t? Then I’m like Billy. Screwed. Billy was a good man and now he’s gone because he was too dependent on Lil.
    I’m deep in thought and don’t see Ben sit down in the chair next to me.
    “Greg tells me you’ve got a boyfriend.”
    I shake my head. “No, not a boyfriend.”
    Ben looks confused. “So you’re not seeing a guy?”
    “I am, I was, but not now. Not after what’s happened to Billy.”
    “What’s Billy got to do with you and this other boy? What’s his name?”
    “Harry,” I say absently.
    “So what’s Billy’s accident got to do with you and Harry?”
    I look over to him. “Don’t you see? Billy got dependent on Lil, and now they’re both gone. What happens if I get dependent on Harry and then he leaves? He’s been feeding me and bringing me clothes. I’ve spent two nights at his house. What happens when that all goes wrong and I’m left with nothing?”
    Ben looks startled. “I didn’t realize you were that involved with him. It’s not the same, though. Lil and Billy both had learning difficulties. They were