Hartley quickly ate one more slice of toast, because he had a suspicion that he might get kicked out shortly. He hesitated, but then put the other slice that was ready into his kangaroo pocket, glancing at the door. He could bolt in case Mick got angry, good. At least his stomach was filled a little bit, with warm food no less. That felt like a pretty great luxury right now, more than he expected out of the day.

So he finally said, very much full of confidence. "I'm gay." And he'd suffered for it, but that didn't change facts. "I can leave, if you'd like."