Book excerpt: Sam Kirkland, a homeless man, befriends 12 year old runaway, Andrew Johnson, after the boy is assaulted by gangsters. During their time together, Sam shares his thoughts on the meaning of dignity and what it means to be a real man. This coming of age story takes place in Salem, Oregon and local environs during the summer of 2011. Andrew finds himself having to defend Sam's dignity when the man is accused of kidnapping and child molestation. He goes up against people's fears and false beliefs, and in doing so he realizes the truth about his dignity. This book is an attempt to bring dignity back to its rightful place in human relationships, and, if necessary, to reintroduce it to mainstream society.