character :: Tyler
'If you spend all your time waiting for that 'perfect' couple to come along and sign the papers, you might just miss that dysfunctional, weird, gay family that knows you're a 'troubled' kid but still wants to adopt you anyway.'
It wasn't a hard life for Tyler Mercer, at least, not at first. His upbringing was typical, a mom, a dad and even a little sister that he could tolerate (sometimes) but it was short lived. A divorced tore the family apart but Tyler held strong, certain that his new step-dad would be the saving grace both him and his mom needed to repair the bond. He seemed cool enough, giving Tyler his first guitar to practice on, teaching him the notes, showing him how to read sheet music, rocking out in their quaint little home...but music doesn't pay the bills and he, too, was kicked to the curb, much to Tyler's dismay.
Before long, a new man swooped in and Tyler, still desperately seeking a father figure, tried his best to warm up to the man but after his mother and his new step-father tied the knot, his personality flipped practially overnight. The once kind man who knew who would spoil the children rotten became possessive, overbearing, demanding and ridiculous in the way in which he ruled the home but the abusive wasn't just mental. Following a meeting with one of Tyler's teacher, in which his sexuality is outed, Tyler is physically abused to his breaking point and he finally gets the courage to run away. When he's found by a kind-hearted, albeit a little flamboyant social worker and taken to his 'rainbow house', charges are filed against Tyler's step-father and Tyler's mother? She does nothing to bring Tyler back, standing beside the man she loved rather than her own son.
For several years, Tyler grows up in the Rainbow House with Valentino, leaving throughout the day to explore the sunny side of California. One such encounter leads Tyler to meet a fellow musician by the name of 'Gage' who invites him to join in a punk rock band he's involved in and with a simple 'yes', Tyler is swept into a whirlwind of events that ultimately lead him many of his 'happily ever afters' including the family he's always wanted, a passion for music that can finally be appreciated and the love of his life, a quiet little guy named Victor that captures him mind, body and soul.
Now Tyler's life is easy: he just lives for the sex, drugs and Rock 'n' Roll...okay, so maybe not the drugs, but definitely the other two things.
