Page 92 of The Corruption of Hollis Brown

Walt crouched down on his heels, then stretched up tall, cracking their back.

You gonna tell me how you learned to do that?

I was seventeen and broke in the twenties. Half of us fought for cash. You learned quick if you wanted to keep your teeth.

Hollis laughed. Sometimes you say things and I just imagine Oliver Twist, or, like, Sherlock Holmes.

Psh. That was a completely different time period and country.

Hollis turned over that thought in his head a few times until the edges softened, but the heart of it still pleased him. Walt punching someone for him. Effortless, practiced.

Walt lit another cigarette.

I’m gonna savor these, but I think I deserve another for the wait.

Fine. You fucking hedonist.

Walt sent Hollis a thrill of amusement, and Hollis soothed it back with bitter fondness.

Suddenly there was a tapping sound, like someone was banging glass.

I think that’s coming from upstairs....

Walt looked back at the house. Annie was standing at the top-floor window looking down at them. They waved at her. She didn’t wave back.

Weird.

Well, we can’t go back inside, just text her or something.

Walt: Sorry I missed you. Things got out of hand. See you later.

Annie: It’s okay. See you later.

It doesn’t sound okay.

Annie doesn’t like it when I fight, is all. Take us home.

Walt didn’t hurry, filling Hollis’s lungs so slow and smooth that they ached unpleasantly, and Hollis let him.