Free A World Without Secrets by Thomas DePrima Page B

wearing today left little to the imagination, and I could tell she took great pains to always appear her best. We both stopped and looked at one another.
    "Hi, Kathy."
    "Colt. How have you been?"
    "Getting by. How about you?"
    "About the same." After a few seconds of awkward silence she added, "I tried to contact you after the building explosion but I couldn't get through. I was worried for you, but I learned later that day that you weren't injured. Billy Boyles said your place is still livable."
    "He told me he'd spoken with you."
    "So what brings you down here?"
    "You."
    "Me?"
    "I thought I'd drop in and say hi— maybe invite you to lunch or something."
    "Then you're just in time because that's where I was going. Chinese okay?"
    "Great."
    "Good. I've had a strange craving for scallops and broccoli all morning. There's a great little place about two blocks away."
    "Lead the way."
    We made small talk to catch up on events as we walked to the Chinese restaurant. We'd met at the wedding of a mutual friend the previous year and an instant friendship had formed. Although both of us were attending the wedding with other people, we had been seated next to one another at the reception and we spent the whole meal talking like old friends, much to the chagrin of our dates. Kathy had been involved until a few months previous, and I'd been living a solitary existence because of my dwindling bank account.
    After the waitress took our order and brought us some tea, Kathy said, "I'm glad you dropped by. I hate eating alone, but all the girls at the museum had things to do today."
    "I'm glad I dropped by also. I've wanted to see you again."
    "I'm in the book."
    "I know. It's just that I've been so— busy with my writing. I haven't gone out in months."
    "Any luck yet?"
    "Not yet. I still have hope though."
    "You should. You have a talent for it."
    "You've seen my stuff?" I asked incredulously.
    "Billy gave me the address of the website where you post most of your stories and told me your pen names. I've read everything that's there, and I loved them all. They're exciting, clever, and heartwarming. I especially loved The Mystical Magicians of Loki-Tau ."
    "Thanks. That's one of my personal favorites, although All Ships Return to Base has been the most popular with my sci-fi fans."
    "I've read the comments posted by readers. They really love your stuff. You deserve to be published."
    "Those comments and the constant fan letters provided the motivation to become a professional writer. I can't think of anything I'd rather do with the rest of my life. I get so much fulfillment from writing stories that bring pleasure and enjoyment to my readers. Unfortunately, all the publishers I've contacted send me form letters telling me my stuff isn't marketable."
    "That's ridiculous. Your stories are as good as anything I've ever purchased and better than a lot of the stuff being put out these days."
    "I think so, but I'm prejudiced."
    "Me too," Kathy said, then smiled softly.
    I couldn't help but chuckle. "Too bad you're not in the publishing business. I could use a fan on the inside to beat a drum for me."
    "I don't know anyone in the publishing business, but I'll see if any of the girls at work do."
    "Thanks, Kathy. Ah, here's our food." As the waitress placed the dishes on the table, I added, "Smells delicious."
    Near poverty had kept me from enjoying a good Chinese dinner during the past few months, and I enjoyed the meal immensely. More importantly, I relished the company of an intelligent and articulate friend. As we opened our fortune cookies after the dishes had been cleared away, I said, "This has been great. I'm glad we got together."
    "Me too. I've been really hoping you'd call."
    "I would have, but, uh..."
    "But money has been tight?"
    "Uh, yeah."
    "Having money for a date isn't that important," she said.
    "Uh, you don't understand. When a guy doesn't have enough money to show a special lady a good time, he feels sort of— impotent."
    "You