Free Human After All by Connie Bailey Page B

woods are natural. It used to be like this in a lot of places. Now it’s just more or less around the middle of the planet.”
    “Is that right?”
    Drue’s smile escaped at the sound of Jaymes’s sarcasm. “Okay, so it’s common knowledge that the Grange exists, but there’s a lot more to it than a lot of people know. The area it covers is almost a third again what they teach you in-crèche.”
    “So?”
    “So that’s a lot of real estate. Wouldn’t you like to know what’s being done with it?”
    “Let me think… no.”
    “Can I ask you another question?”
    “Sure. Maybe it will take my mind from this tiresome trudging.”
    “I’ve said it before, but I just love the way T-breds talk. So tell me, O superior one, why do people live in the Outers? I mean, it’s not very nice there, is it?”
    “They live there because it’s all they can afford,” Jaymes answered instantly.
    “Your parents are Outties, right? Why did they sell you to Gentren? So they could move somewhere better?”
    “Of course not!” Jaymes stopped in the middle of the clearing, thigh deep in yellow wildflowers. “They gained nothing for themselves, only a better life for their child, for me.”
    “So they’re still in the Outer City?”
    “I don’t know that. You know I don’t. It’s a major clause of the contract that the parents have no further contact. And it’s very bad manners to bring it up.”
    “Frij out,” Drue said. “And keep walking. Dealing with rudeness is the least of your problems right now, and I’m almost done with my questions anyway. So just why was it that your parents were forced to make this sacrifice?”
    “They couldn’t afford to feed me, as you well know.”
    “Right.”
    “You’re such a jeedee Pyg. Why can’t your type just say something, instead of turning everything into some clever debate where you not only make your point, you make the other person make your point for you, and you make them look like a fool at the same time?”
    “Making you look like a fool is not my purpose, but it certainly seems to be a frequent side effect.”
    Jaymes cast his gaze skyward and refused to reply.
    “You’re not a fool,” Drue said, a few minutes later. “You’re just ignorant.”
    “Oh, well that’s much better. Anything else?”
    “Why isn’t the government using that idle land to feed the people in the Outers?”
    “Actually, I was wondering what else you found lacking in my character,” Jaymes said. “But to answer your question, I don’t presume to tell our leaders how to use resources.”
    “How is it possible for anyone to be so self-absorbed?”
    Jaymes grimaced as he stopped to pull up the sodden hem of the heavy coat and remove a thorn from his shin. “I’m a bit preoccupied with survival at the moment, and you want to have a political discussion. Forgive me if I decline out of sheer disinterest.”
    “You were almost human while we were in imminent danger, but that stick is definitely back up your ass this morning.”
    “And who put it there, I wonder?” Jaymes asked the breeze.
    Drue’s sideways smile pulled up one corner of his mouth. As he remembered making love with Jaymes, an unexpected wave of affection swept through him. “Last night was…. I’m not sure there’s a word for it.”
    “Oh, do please try to frame your emotions in words. I could really use a laugh.”
    Stung, Drue replied with sarcasm. “Then you should see yourself. Your hair is tangled and has leaves in it. You’ll start a new fashion when we get home.”
    “Have I told you I hate you?”
    “At least once,” Drue said, glad now that he hadn’t done anything foolish like telling the T-bred he liked him.
    “Well, I wouldn’t want you to forget.”
    “Not possible.” Drue pulled Alvera’s gray market linx from his pocket and held it up to the sun. “Why aren’t you charging?” he muttered.
    Jaymes glanced over. “Have you tried pissing on it?”
    “Will that work?” Drue