Page 83 of Something Like Hail

The movie sounded okay, even though theywould both be staring at a screen and not talking. Dinner soundedtedious. Too much like work. They probably had that in common, cometo think of it.

“Tell you what,” Noah said,“if you could do anything tomorrow night, what would it be? Asidefrom winning the lottery or flying to some exotic country. Theremust be something in Austin you’ve always wanted to try but haven’tyet.”

“Bottoms oneup.”

The words sounded like nonsense and yet werestrangely familiar. Noah was briefly confused until he remembered alocal bar. Bottoms 1UP was the name of the place, but he wassketchy on the details. “We can do that. What time should I pickyou up? Or would you rather meet there?”

“Ummm.”

“It’ll be a public place,”Noah said helpfully. “You’ll be safe. How come you’ve never beenthere before?”

“Just never got around toit,” Felix replied.

Noah was pretty sure it had more to do withhis actual age and decided to tease him more. “So your idea of adream date is to get wasted together?”

“No! I just want toplay.”

“Sorry?”

“Video games. It’s abarcade. They have a ton of cabinets there I’ve never seen. And thenewGame of Thronespinball!”

The words “new” and “pinball” didn’t seemcompatible, but maybe this was a retro trend, like vinyl recordsmaking a comeback. In fact, he remembered a bleary conversation onthat very subject. What was his name? Albert? Yeah, definitely aclient of his. Albert was crazy about doing shots, and not justones filled with alcohol. “I think I know the owner.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’m sure he’ll giveus a tour of the place.”

“That would be amazing! Myclass gets out at eight. Do you think you can pick me up? I share acar with my… roommate.”

Noah sighed. “I’m not into dishonest guys.Try again.”

“I share a car with mylittle sister. So humiliating.”

“Nothing wrong with that,”Noah said. “Where should I pick you up?”

“ACC. The Eastviewcampus.”

Austin Community College. Noah used towander the grounds when he was homeless, since his age made it easyto blend in. That, and they had a decent library. “Okay. Enjoy therest of your night.”

“You’re hangingup?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you really going to bethere?” Felix asked.

“You have my word,” Noahsaid. “Good night.”

“Oh. Goodnight.”

Noah made sure the call was disconnected.Then he laughed. Felix was cute. He couldn’t remember the last timehe had been charmed by someone, probably because that was normallyhis obligation. Regardless, tomorrow would be a welcome diversionfrom the usual. Sweet instead of sexy. Cute instead of carnal.

Chapter Twelve

Noah arrived back at his apartment in thelate afternoon, drenched in sweat but satisfied. The time spentwith his clients often involved drinking, and considering how manynights he worked, the calories really added up. Noah didn’t enjoyjogging, and he wasn’t interested in lifting weights. To stay leanhe walked. Maybe it was a habit left over from being on the streetsfor so long. If he didn’t move, his body would grow restless. Oftenhe would drive to Balcones Canyonlands, a wildlife refuge outsideof Austin. There he would walk for hours on end. He supposed mostpeople would consider it hiking, but he didn’t load himself up withgear. He simply set out with nothing more than a bottle of waterand his driver’s license in a pocket. His wallet stayed home, asdid his phone. No distractions. Just him and limited resources.Like how it used to be.

Noah didn’t miss those days. He was alwayseager to get back to his refrigerator for a cool drink and a snack.But being outside helped center him and acted as a reminder of howlucky he was. Not happy exactly, but no longer starving or fearfulfor his own future. He wasn’t nearly as alone, either.

Noah picked up his phone before going to thekitchen and noticed more notifications than usual. Three missedcalls. At first he thought maybe Felix needed to change plans orcancel. Then he recognized the number because he had onceconsidered it his own. Jerusalem. Why would the shelter be callinghim after all this time?