Free Astounding! by Kim Fielding Page B

his phone and finished packing the box. That was the last of his books—the rest were already down in the basement storage area he’d rented from his landlord. The storage area was a lot cheaper than the apartment, which Carter had paid for only through the end of the month. He’d already told the landlord that if he hadn’t returned by then, the apartment and all the crap inside it were all hers. She might be able to get a few bucks off Craigslist for some of the furnishings, but Carter suspected most of the stuff would end up hauled away to the Salvation Army or somewhere. He didn’t care. His battered old suitcase contained the only possessions that meant anything to him, aside from his books.
    When Freddy rang again almost three hours later, he sounded much more relaxed. “God, I love naps,” he said by way of greeting. “I fully intend to nap daily during our travels.”
    “As long as you don’t do it when you’re behind the wheel, I have no objection.”
    “Good. So come have dinner with us. We’re going to eat somewhere with a bay view because Keith thinks looking at water makes things taste better.”
    “He’s not going to be too happy in Yosemite.”
    “We’ll fill a bucket.” Freddy yelped and then laughed a little breathlessly. “We’re at the Monaco. Meet us here?”
    Carter laughed because he had known Freddy would choose the Monaco. It overlooked the central library building, which had an interesting architectural design and was, more importantly, full of books. Freddy was the only person Carter knew who loved books more than he did. Although, come to think of it, John Harper was a close contender.
    “I’ll be there in a bit,” Carter said.
    He took the bus downtown. The only other passengers were a pair of teenagers who practically sat in each other’s laps, a tired-looking older man, and a ragged woman of indeterminate age who muttered to herself the entire way. Carter watched them all, aware that each had his or her own story, as did the handsome young bus driver with the seemingly permanent scowl. Freddy could imagine what those stories might be, could write them into something fascinating. But not Carter. He could only wonder.
    He called Freddy from the hotel lobby, and within a few minutes, Freddy and Keith appeared. They gave him warm hugs and then stood back to look at him. Freddy wore his usual uniform of gray sweater and brown corduroys, while Keith was dressed in jeans and a Batman tee. Keith pulled out his phone and startled Carter by taking a picture of him.
    “You look great,” said Freddy. “New exercise routine?” Freddy looked the same as he had for years: short, round, hairy. A particularly nasty reviewer had once referred to him as a troll who baited his slavering followers by murdering their favorite characters. Freddy had written in response, I am deeply offended by your assertions, sir. I identify as a gnome.
    Now, Carter grinned. “Less booze, more movement.”
    “Well, it suits you.” Then Freddy narrowed his eyes. “But why the self-improvement? Love?”
    An unexpected image of a naked John Harper flashed through Carter’s brain. “Nope. I was just getting a little tired of the old me.”
    Keith smiled at him. “Does the new you want us to set you up with the desk clerk? He’s kinda dreamy.” In case Carter had missed his point, Keith pointed at the man currently checking in some guests. He was cute. As if the thought had just occurred to him, Keith took a photo of the desk clerk too.
    But Carter shook his head. “Not tonight. Tonight I’m all yours.”
    “Well, that’s good too,” Keith replied.
    Carter had met Keith a couple of times before and liked him a lot. He was from one of those states in the middle of the country. Iowa? Maybe Ohio. He used to be a dental hygienist, and Carter was willing to bet he’d been good at it, because Keith was gentle, amiable, and enthusiastic, albeit with a tendency to Instagram everything. Several years