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“Nate could tell them what I say,” Leo pointed out.

“He could. But he’d have to keep doing it, and that can be difficult for both of you.” She turned to Nate. “Most people will still think you’re alone.”

“That doesn’t mean I am.”

“No. It doesn’t. But have you thought about living that way for years or are you only thinking about getting through tomorrow?”

Nate rested his arms on the table. “I don’t have an easy solution for every problem we’ll face. I know there’ll be things we can’t do. I don’t particularly like that either.” He paused. Sure, their relationship would not be easy. But did that mean it wasn’t worth pursuing? Nate didn’t think so. “I like being with him. I like coming home to him. When something happens while I’m out, I think about telling him. I like having him around while I work, even when he’s telling me I’m doing it wrong.”

“You often are,” Leo said.

“See? Very helpful.”

Leo’s mouth twitched.

“I’m happy, Mom. I need you to believe me about that.”

“Will you still be happy in ten years?”

“I’d like to think so, but how would I know? How can anyone know? If you only ever go for the sure thing, for the easy thing…” He trailed off, thinking of all the troubles Leo had to face in his life just to be with the person he loved. “I’ve found something worth fighting for, and I’d like to go for it.”

Miriam looked at him for a long moment. Nate couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

“Will you help me?” he asked, trying not to hold his breath. He’d never gotten her approval for the choices he made before. He might not get it now either.

“I’ll help you,” Miriam said finally, softly, and something inside of Nate unclenched before tensing right up again when she added, “You only have to promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

She glanced at Leo. “We have to restore him before we bind him again. When he has all his memories back, when he’s whole again, in spite of what he’s saying now, he might want to move on. Don’t try to keep him here if that’s the case.”

“I wouldn’t,” Nate said, immediately. Giving the issue some thought, though, he wasn’t sure what he would do, if Leo wanted to move on tomorrow.

Wish him luck and wave him goodbye?

He couldn’t imagine it.

Miriam nodded. If she could tell what was going through Nate’s mind, she made no mention of it.

“I’m not going to change my mind,” Leo said.

“I know.” Nate tried to give him a reassuring smile.

Across the table, his mother reached for her bag. “I’ll give Caleb a piece of my mind, and then I’ll find out what I need to prepare.” She took out a notebook. “Would you mind if I stayed tonight?”

“No. Of course not.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

She opened the notebook and began writing. She always made lists before doing anything important. It was a habit he’d copied from her.

“Do you need anything?” he asked.

“I’ll let you know once I’ve torn into your cousin.”

“Right.” He glanced toward the hall. “I’ll have to go out anyway. We don’t have any spare bedding. Maybe get some food too. Have you eaten?”

“Not since breakfast.”