What It Takes (23 page)

Acknowledgments

N
one of this would be possible without my Interlude Press family who work tirelessly to put these books together and get them out into the world. Above and beyond that, thank you so much to Annie for patience, gentle guidance and for constantly reminding me to believe in myself. To Candy for helping me learn to look forward and ignore what’s in the rear-view mirror. To Lex, who introduced me to Cheyenne Jackson’s
Xanadu
performance at the
Tony Awards, made me laugh on bad days, and who couldn’t wait to show me what he wanted for this one. I wish you could have seen this part. 

Thanks to Cameron Salisbury and Nicki Harper for making my story shine; Kelby Harrison at USC for research help; Choi Messer who designed this book and the talented artist behind the beautiful cover, Nelli I.

Finally, from the deepest corners of my heart to Georgie, Riah, Heidi, Erin and April for believing in this book, cheering me on, lifting me up, and when needed, pushing me to get this story out. As always to my beautiful family for putting up with my artistic temperament and tendency to hole up in an office with imaginary characters who make me cry. 

About the Author

J
ude Sierra began her writing career at the age of eight when she immortalized her summer vacation with ten entries in a row that read “pool+tv.” She first began writing poetry as a child in her home country of Brazil, and is still a student of the form.

As a sucker for happy endings and well-written emotional arcs and characters, Jude is an unapologetic bookaholic. She finds bookstores and libraries unbearably sexy and, to her husband’s dismay, is attempting to create her own in their living room. She is a writer of many things that hope to find their way out of the sanctuary of her hard drive and many that have found a home in the fanfiction community. 

Jude is currently working on her Master of Arts in Writing and Rhetoric and managing a home filled with her two cats, husband and two young sons. Her first novel,
Hush,
was published in 2015 by Interlude Press. Visit Judesierra.com for more.

Questions for Discussion

1. Milo and Andrew share a special connection with the fort they built. Explain how what it meant to each of them changed over time.
   
2. Both parts of the story begin with Milo arriving in Santuit. Both arrivals signify important events in his life. Explain how they are similar and how they are different.
   
3. Andrew becomes accustomed to being the person who puts “broken Milo back together”. How could that be a problem in a long-term relationship for the two men?
   
4. Milo’s dad’s behavior had far-reaching effects in Santuit as well as in both Andrew and Milo’s lives. How did the town’s complicity in the abuse affect Milo’s willingness to be there?
   
5. If Andrew hadn’t waited two weeks to report Milo’s dad in the first chapter, how would the story been different? What turning points did it create for the boys?
   
6. Several decisions led to Milo and Andrew losing contact for seven years. Trace the decisions that prevented them from declaring their love from the time Andrew came out until their ultimate separation after the bonfire.
   
7. Andrew and Milo react very differently to being in college. How does each man’s choices affect their ability to stay friends, or connect on a deeper level than friendship?
   
8. Coming out was a very different experience for each boy, despite coming out to each other first. Who had the easier time with coming out and why?
   
9. Milo has to deal with both physical and psychological abuse from his father. Which one affects him more in the long run? Which one is harder to overcome? Why do you think that is true?
   
10. Describe the process it took for Milo to heal and be ready to commit to Andrew. Why did it take so long for the two men to truly be together?