Re: Atticus/Matt
"Extra credit in PE if I went. Always needed extra credit in PE. Was terrible at running." Atticus had never been a jock. Wasn't athletic. Had always been sickly. The haunts caused a lot of his ailments growing up, yes, but the boy always had lungs that whistled like a train. "Took a book to entertain myself. Madeout with Wendy Carey because I didn't want to stand out more than I already did." Atticus didn't embellish. Wasn't a very attractive image, he knew. Fat kid, old corduroy, a book and a wall. But was what it was, and Atticus liked memory, even his own, even when it wasn't good. Was a letter in his head, played out instead of being written on paper.
"Don't tell Janus." About letters. Atticus thought people should live on. If they lived on in writing, all the better. Wasn't concerned about privacy of the deceased. Thought the past taught lessons. Smiled warmly when Matt said the library sounded good for him. Thought it was good too. Was the first thing he'd been interested in since the work at the museum had turned from requisition of treasures to opening-day admin. Could've easily ignored the implications in the comment about being glad he didn't go to Chicago. Didn't. "Why are you glad I didn't go?" Atticus was too old to beat around bushes.
"Knew it was here. The old curator included it in his directions. Interesting. This town has more dark corners than most places." Was just an observation. Atticus was from the Bronx. Knew all about dark corners, but this was different. Repose's strange fingertips reaching down the highway to the Capital. "Might consider a visit." To the red lights. His grin was elusive. Could be serious. Could be joking.
Wasn't thinking about whether or not this was a bad idea.
Car stopped. Matt leaned back. "Can drive her home. Might stay around and learn things. Could always come by and pick her up." The car. It was a lazy offer. Deliberate offer, but lazy. Showed some trust, too. Willing to let Matt drive away with his baby. "Might still be sitting here in eight hours otherwise. Get lost in written things." Wasn't an exaggeration.