Nathan, who had been standing there with his arms at his sides and his tie straight and his expression of a man observing a situation and taking notes, became aware that he was now the subject of the situation.
"That one," I said, "can be a little shy."
"I am not shy," Nathan said, from the doorway, with dignity.
"He's a little shy," I said, to the room, in a stage whisper.
"I am standing right here," Nathan said.
"He can hear really well though," I said. "That part's good."
The boy in the too-big hoodie was still pointing. "He has to do the paws, too."
"He really does," the missing-tooth girl agreed, with the conviction of someone establishing a rule.
A small chorus of agreement moved through the room.
Nathan looked at me.
I looked at Nathan.
I said nothing. I did not assist him. I waited.
Nathan straightened his tie.
He raised his arms.
And Nathan Cross did the Morr Roar.
Not enthusiastically. Not with the full Morrison commitment. But completely, because Nathan Cross did nothing halfway when he decided to do it. His arms went up, his fingers curved into the approximation of paws, and he made a sound that was quieter than mine and more precise and utterly, completely Nathan.
The room erupted.
Kids losing their minds. The missing-tooth girl doing a full victory lap around her chair. The boy in the too-big hoodie pointing at Nathan with the energy of someone who had known this was possible and had been right.
Leo stood up on the table, looked at Nathan, and sat back down.
Nathan lowered his arms.
Straightened his tie again.
Met my eyes across the room.
I was smiling so hard it hurt.
"Good," the missing-tooth girl said, with the authority of someone closing a case. "Now you're part of it."
Something happened on his face that I was going to be thinking about for a very long time.
He was smiling. A real, full smile.
"Yes," he said. "I suppose I am."
Nathan Cross had never once asked me to perform anything. Everyone else got the Morrison experience. Nathan got the actual thing. And he stayed.
Nathan crossed the room.
He stood next to me, which was where he stood now, next to me, shoulder to mine, Leo between us on the table accepting the attention of twenty-three children like a certified professional.
