Hick by Andrea Portes

This narrative follows Luli, a young girl fleeing a desolate life in Nebraska defined by her parents' alcoholism and the tragic loss of her infant brother. Seeking a fresh start in Las Vegas, she hitches a ride with a volatile grifter named Glenda, who teaches her to survive through manipulation and theft. Their journey through the American West is marked by exploitation and violence, culminating in a fatal confrontation involving Glenda’s dangerous associate, Eddie. Despite enduring severe trauma and abandonment, Luli eventually finds a path toward a potential future through the unexpected kindness of a stranger named Beau. Ultimately, the story explores the loss of childhood innocence and a young girl's fierce resolve to reclaim her life from a cycle of poverty and abuse.