Chapter 5
Marcus was amazing with the boys. Jacob had worried at first that a former Marine may not be able to understand or empathize with the situations these kids had lived through. Being abandoned and abused by their families until they ran away, or being kicked out for being gay, was not something everyone could handle.
The first group meeting laid all Jacob’s fears to rest. Marcus had a commanding presence and the kids responded to him. He had all the qualifications, had passed the background check—not a criminal or sex offender—and had led an exemplary life while in the Marines, while in college, and even now.
Because the boys were no longer in school, they were expected to participate in classes to earn their GED. Peter had balked and Bradley had made it clear he hated school, but Jimmy had seemed to like it so far.