I rather like the idea of Bodie living in the present tense to avoid the crap of his past. He's not the most self-reflective of individuals, but put this way it's almost a zen choice.

And of course I had to go back and read The Natural Order of Things. If I didn't tell you before, it's brilliant. Funny and sexy. What could be better? (Still wouldn't say no to a proper sequel to this story, though.)