Page 263

For a moment, Nate forgot what he was doing. Then he felt his attention slip and caught it again, holding on carefully.

“Can you hear me?” Leo asked.

“Yes,” Walt said.

Nate let out a slow breath.

Leo looked at Walt, astonished, and Nate smiled. He wanted to say something, but Walt was reaching toward Leo with his free hand, stopping just short of his cheek.

“Look at you,” he whispered.

Leo leaned closer.

Walt couldn’t touch him. Nate knew that before his fingers passed through the edge of Leo’s hair, but Walt hardly seemed to notice. His gaze was still fixed on Leo’s face.

“It’s good to see you,” Leo said.

Walt gave a small, unsteady laugh. “You could see me all along, couldn’t you?”

“I knew you from the moment you came to the house and Nate opened the door.” Leo’s smile softened. “It was your eyes. Those and the cigarettes. You should really stop smoking, you know.”

Walt laughed and pressed his free hand against his mouth. “You used to tell me that.”

“Apparently you weren’t listening.”

“I did stop for a while.”

“Then you should do it again.”

“I’ll think about it,” Walt promised.

Leo gave him a look. “I hope you’re not just saying that.”

Nate smiled. Walt was still looking at Leo as though he couldn’t quite believe he was there, but now there was amusement in his expression too.

“It’s good to hear you,” he said.

Leo’s face softened. “It’s good to be heard.”

Walt nodded, blinking quickly.

Leo glanced down at the album. “You’ve only shown me one page. I want to see the rest.”

“Of course.” Walt turned the page with his free hand, then hesitated. “Perhaps not that one.”

Leo peered at the page with interest, and Nate could see why Walt might have preferred to skip it. The suit in the photograph was brown, with lapels that seemed to take up most of his chest.

“Oh, Walt,” Leo said.

“It was fashionable at the time.”

Leo studied the picture. “I’m glad things have improved.”

Walt laughed, and Nate caught himself laughing too. He had to steady his attention, which earned him a glance from Leo.

“I’m all right,” he said. “Just don’t make me laugh too much.”

“I can’t make any promises. Have you seen what he’s wearing?”