Rent Free

By John C. Todd, Jr

A difficult story about a difficult character, who I imagine to be on one spectrum or another. He starts out intolerant, but saving a friend in need may help him learn something about empathy. Caution: he verbally bullies a passerby who may or may not be gay. Written in 1989.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John C. Todd, Jr
• Release date: May 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005258870

Book preview

Rent Free

John C. Todd, Jr.

Published by John C. Todd, Jr.

at Smashwords

Copyright 2022 John C. Todd, Jr.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover photo contributor: fizkes

Signed model release on file with Shutterstock, Inc.

Manfred walked out from under the awning of his apartment building, blinking in the sunshine. An old Chevy sped past, roiling street dust. Manfred closed his eyes just before the dust hit. He held his breath, eyes closed, and walked quickly down the sidewalk 'til he couldn't hold it any longer, then let out his breath in a big whoosh. He bent over, eyes watering, and gulped in great lungfuls of air. He squinted, coughing, and looked left, then right. No one else was in sight. He straightened, the dust far behind.

He was good at walking with his eyes closed. He practiced every day, twenty or thirty steps at a time, sure he was about to stumble off the curb onto the broad street.

His eyes were becoming used to the Central California sunshine. The heat was not so strong at 9:30 in the morning as it would be later, but Manfred knew a hot day was coming. He was glad he'd gotten up early.

He looked both ways again, down the sidewalks as well as the street, and saw no cars coming. A man was walking into the stone church, two blocks away. Manfred's smile was gone almost before it began, and he crossed the street. The jacket he was carrying joggled at his fingers. He shifted the hanger after he'd crossed and slung it casually over