A queer coming-of-age story, following the personal and political awakening of a young gay Black man in 1980s NYC. Born into a wealthy Black Indianapolis family, Earl 'Trey' Singleton III leaves his overbearing parents and their expectations behind by running away to New York City with only a few dollars in his pocket. In the City, Trey meets up with a cast of characters that change his life forever--from civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, who he meets in a Harlem bathhouse, to his landlord, Fred Trump. Along the way Trey attempts to navigate past traumas and searches for ways to maintain familial relationships--all while seeking the meaning of life in the midst of so much death.

Lesson #1: The boss doesn't love you -- Lesson #2: A sanctuary can be a sordid place -- Lesson #3: Don't wear straightjackets -- Lesson #4: Enemies have their value -- Lesson #5: A big lie can build character -- Lesson #6: Romantic notions are delusions -- Lesson #7: Devils have a weakness -- Lesson #8: Victory can be a thorny crown -- Lesson #9: Touch at least one dead body -- Lesson #10: To change the world, have a selfish goal -- Lesson #11: Allies don't always harmonize -- Lesson #12: Learn to take a punch -- Lesson #13: The best spontaneous moments are planned -- Lesson #14: No sense in crying over blood money -- Lesson #15: Sometimes it's not about you -- Lesson #16: There's no preparing for every circle of hell -- Lesson #17: Leave the fallen behind -- Lesson #18: Bury your old self.