The Internet’s Most Haunted Influencer
Page 261
Walt opened the door just as they reached the steps. His gaze went to Nate, then past him. “Did he come?”
“Of course I came,” Leo said.
Nate smiled. “He’s here.”
Leo moved a little closer to Walt. “Hello.”
Walt looked in almost the right direction.
Nate had been so pleased to bring Leo here that he hadn’t considered how much he’d hate this part: watching Leo look at someone he loved, with everything he wanted to say right there on his face, and knowing Walt couldn’t see any of it.
Oblivious to Nate’s thoughts, Walt stepped aside to let them in. “Come in. Make yourselves comfortable.”
He led them into his living room, then stood beside the sofa as though he wasn’t sure where to put anyone. “Where is he?”
“Here,” Leo said.
“Beside you,” Nate told him.
Walt followed Nate’s glance. “Well. Sit down.”
“You first.”
Nate passed that on, and Walt sat. Leo settled beside him while Nate took an armchair opposite.
For a moment, Walt just looked at the place where he’d been told Leo was. “Nate said you got your memories back.”
“I did,” Leo said. “I remember everything.”
Nate repeated the answer.
Walt nodded, then reached for a photo album on the coffee table. “I got this out after you called,” he told Nate. “I thought he might like to see a few things. From after.”
Leo leaned closer at once. “Yes. I’d like that.”
“He would,” Nate said.
Walt rested the album on his knees and opened it, angling it toward the space beside him. Nate could see a photograph of a younger Walt standing outside a small house.
“That’s a place I lived for a while,” Walt said. “I had the upstairs.”
“Which window was yours?” Leo asked.
Nate repeated the question.
“That one.” Walt pointed. “On the left.”
Leo studied the picture. “Were you happy there?”
Nate passed that on too.
“Yes,” Walt said. “I was.”
Leo smiled, looking from the photograph to Walt’s face. “Good.”
Nate repeated the word, wishing he could give Walt the rest of it: the way Leo was looking at him, how much that answer had meant. To hear the affection in his voice. Walt kept turning toward Nate when he spoke. Leo was sitting right there, but of course he was invisible to Walt.
Nate looked down at the ring.