Chapter 7 - Leo RemembersLeo's condition improved.
His leg began healing.
But the emotional wounds were deeper.
One afternoon, I sat beside him.
“Leo, can I ask you something?”
He nodded.
“Do you remember anyone visiting the basement?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“Men.”
“How many?”
“Different ones.”
“Did they talk to Rebecca?”
“Yes.”
“Did they talk about children?”
He nodded.
“One man had a gold ring.”
“What did it look like?”
Leo drew a circle with his fingers.
“It had a bird.”
I remembered the photograph.
The judge wore a gold ring.
With an eagle.
My heart raced.
“Leo.”
“Yes?”
“Did you ever see this man?”
He nodded.
“He came downstairs once.”
“What did he say?”
Leo whispered,
“He asked if Maya was old enough.”
I felt sick.
“Old enough for what?”
Leo shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Then his face changed.
“Wait.”
“What?”
“He had a phone.”
“What about it?”
“He showed Rebecca a picture.”
“What picture?”
“A baby.”
“Whose baby?”
May you like
Leo looked frightened.
“Mine.”
