The Return: Disney Lands Read Free Page B

cleaning up loose ends. The guy’s been in pieces since Wayne’s death. If we can give him a little closure, what’s not to like?”
    “That might be kindest thing I’ve ever heard you say.”
    “Don’t hold it against me. I’m actually just psychedto get a chance to see you. As far as being a hologram goes.”
    “I miss you, Terry. I miss everyone, but obviously, especially you. The TV show is exciting. Sure it is. But it’s also shown me how much you and everyone mean to me.”
    “Including Finn,” Maybeck said.
    “Yes. Of course! Including Finn.”
    With Maybeck in the lead, the two teens climbed the stairs to Wayne’s apartment and steppedthrough the door.
    “It’s nothing like Walt’s place,” Maybeck said.
    “You want to explain again what we’re doing here?”
    “Looking for anything that connects this stuff Finn keeps talking about. A diary, maybe.”
    “Wouldn’t it all have been cleared out, given…you know, his death?”
    “Philby says nothing’s been touched. Wayne was important enough that Archives wants to catalog everyth—”

    He broke off abruptly.
    “What?” Charlene asked. “What do you see?”
    “Check out this photo.” The dim glow of the thin blue line surrounding Maybeck reflected off the glass in the frame.
    “Can we turn on a light, please?”
    “Afraid not. It’ll be seen from Town Square.” Maybeck stepped back half a stride. “I think I know that photo.”
    “Disneyland. Opening day,” Charlene said. “Nineteenfifty-five.”
    “I can read,” Maybeck snapped.
    “It’s Walt and Mickey, opening day.”
    “I got that, too,” he said.
    “It’s so familiar! But why?” She leaned in to look more closely at the photo.
    “No idea, but it is for me, too. Can’t explain it.” Maybeck paused; studied her. “I’ve missed you.”
    “I like to hear that kind of thing. It makes me happy, Terry.”
    “It’s more fun withyou around,” he said. “I’m not saying you should quit the TV gig. Not at all. I’m glad you’re happy. But I’m still happier
with you here.”
    “That’s sweet, Terry. Really. Thank you.”
    Maybeck waited. “Sweet?”
    “Am I supposed to say the same thing? Look where we are, Terry. Same old, same old.”
    “I’m accepted at Art Center.”
    “Right.”
    “You like it out there.”
    “I love itout there. I told you, I love the show. The life’s a little strange, but it’s cool. Complete strangers, kids mostly, know me. They stop me and stuff, but so far it
doesn’t bother me. I even enjoy it. And it won’t last forever. Shows get canceled.”
    “You’ve moved on,” he said softly.
    “Sometimes the tighter you hold on to something, the more it wants to escape.”
    “Is that right?”
    “We’re fine, Terry. You and I are fine.”
    Maybeck turned away from her and rifled through drawers indiscriminately. He searched the contents, some more carefully than others. The small galley kitchen was his first stop. Then an armoire
that held mostly Disney DVDs and a workbench/harvest table under the end window that looked out on Town Square.
    After a moment, he barked out some wordsthat would have gotten bleeped on Charlene’s TV show.
    “I don’t like cussing. To remind you for the thousandth time,” she said.
    He didn’t appear to hear her. “Check…it…out!”
    “What’s that? A saw blade?”
    “No way. It’s a metal disc with holes punched out of it. Look familiar?”
    “Not particularly. I’m not the best with power tools.”
    “Come on, Charlie. It’s one of those musicdiscs, the ones Walt’s music box plays. Same size and thickness.”
    “No. Way.” Charlene’s jaw dropped. “It’s true: you’re the one with the artist’s eye.”
    There was a long pause as they looked at each other, then at the disc. Then:
    “Wait!” Charlene hissed. “You hear that?”
    Footsteps, coming up the outside stairs.
    “Dang!” Maybeck said. “There’s only one door. We’ve gotta hide.Don’t forget we’re