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Lake didn’t freeze all the way. It was too big.

The shards of ice drifted in dark soup, clinking against each other like bells, cracking sharp as a shotgun farther out. Colder than death.

But the sand held on to the sun, warm for the first few inches.

Walt laid them down, soft. Hoodie behind their head, they opened their eyes to the wide gray sky.

You’re lucky you have a bus that goes to the beach, we used to have to walk. Do y’all still fish in here?

Not really. The big fish are closer to the middle of the lake, and only one guy has a fishing boat. The rest of us buy our fish from him.

Hmm.

You’re from here, aren’t you? This is where you grew up... ?

Born and raised.

Why did you bring us here, Walt?

He took a full minute to answer.

It’s hard being close to home and not standing in it. Feels lonesome.

Walt gave Hollis his right arm without him having to ask. Hollis placed it over their chest, mitten, coat, and sweater keeping them apart, keeping them from bringing the burning.

Where did you live?

Rose Town.

He said it like it meant nothing, like it didn’t grip Hollis by the throat. Make it hard to swallow.

This whole place used to be Rose Town, you know. You live in the newer part of it. They tore down some buildings between. It doesn’t take long for grass to cover what’s been left behind.

It’s fucked-up that you never told me that. You know that, right? It’s fucked-up that I didn’t know that this whole time.

Walt closed their eyes.

You asked that first week, but I couldn’t tell you. I couldn’t bring myself to... It was personal. We didn’t know each other then.

That’s really not an excuse, you fucking asshole.

Walt huffed, irritated.

Do you know how many of my rides knew my name?

Most of them?

Thirty. Only about fifteen got a good conversation out of me. Seven got to know what I liked and didn’t like. Three got to know I had a sister. I’ve been in about two hundred people, give or take, and you know how many of them stopped cooking with celery without me asking?

Five? They can tell you didn’t like it. I could tell you—

Just you, Hollis , Walt interrupted him, impatient.

Even Dina prioritized her needs and wants above mine, and it was fine of her to do that. Wouldn’t have asked her for more than she gave, and every second with her was sweet, but you gotta understand why you frighten me sometimes.

Oh.

This is more than I ever asked for. More than I hoped and more than I deserve. It doesn’t help that you’re a fella. I know myself and my proclivities, and times have changed, but even the angels couldn’t have seen that coming.

Hollis understood, by God he did, but he could still feel Walt twisting inside. He took their hand and held his own face, tenderly. Mitten to skin.

Walt.

What?

What do you look like?