Billie Joe's Journey began March 28, 1997, the day I found Nifty and its 4800-story archives.I decided to post there. I’d write a short love story with Carl and Billie Joe meeting on a bus to see if anyone would read my work. Readers said, “don’t stop” and Billie Joe's Journey began.
This book is the third of a trilogy that describes Billie Joe’s journey from homeless gay kid to champion of homeless gay kids. The Center stands alone and tells a complete story. You can read it as an individual work and not feel lost, as the other two books can be read in the same way if you lack curiosity concerning the soul of the tale.
Book I, Billie Joe’s Journey, is raw and graphic, which isn’t appropriate for everyone. Book II, The Return Home is about Billy Joe going home to finish his education following his stay on the streets. He has no idea he’ll go back there. While he has left the streets, they haven’t left him.
For the full impact of what gay homeless kids experience, you must read all three.
Why San Francisco? The first time I encountered homeless gay kids on the streets of America was on a visit to San Francisco. I’ve set this story in that city, because it’s a strong beacon of warmth and welcome to all who are LGBT. If any city can rise to the challenges documented in the Billie Joe’s Journey trilogy, it’s San Francisco.
The LGBT community has matured enough to deal with any situation. This was proven during the AIDS crisis. Gay LGBT communities in most cities rallied to help the sick. We took gay pride and turned it into LGBT action. We no longer shudder in the shadow of the religious right.
We’ll get the kind of world we work to create.
Peace,
Rick Beck
It’s time. Carl is on his way back from Japan. It seems to Billie Joe he’s lived a lifetime since last seeing him. This is the moment that makes his life worthwhile. He has it in mind never to leave Carl again.
But wait!
There is still something Billie Joe needs to do. It doesn’t become clear to him until he is back in Carl’s arms, but their happily-ever-after must be put on hold. There is unfinished business. The one thing he’s vowed never to do, return to San Francisco, is the only thing that will quiet the upheaval that lives inside him. The happiness Carl’s return brings only makes the unfinished business more disturbing.
Carl doesn’t understand.
Billie Joe has grown smarter and more experienced. The one thing in his life he realizes he can do something about is the plight of homeless gay children. He’s been there, done that. What he doesn’t know is how he can help, but he’ll figure it out once he gets back to San Francisco.
“Billie Joe, I can’t say no to you. I can’t ask you not to do this, but please tell me what you think you can do?”
“I don’t know, Carl, but I’ve got to do something.”
*****
From the journals of Billie Joe Walker Jr. and subsequent conversations created in this writer’s mind. This trilogy of books addresses the phenomenon of homeless gay youth and offers a practical solution to this complex problem, but it requires us all to get involved.
Thank you, Lew
Copyright © Olympia50
Editor: Gardner Rust
Thanks for editing and for your suggestions and ideas to make this story better.