Pete
Leo’s older former lover, whose illness foreshadows the epidemic Nick does not yet understand.
Companionship while living with illness and the vulnerabilities of an older gay generation.
The book
Who they are in the book
Spoiler-freePete is an older gay antiques dealer and Leo’s former lover.
He belongs to an earlier generation and is already visibly ill.
His profession also echoes the work of Nick’s father.
How the book draws them
- CultivatedHis antiques connect taste with livelihood.
- OlderHe brings a different gay generation into view.
- IllHis health foreshadows the coming epidemic.
- Socially linkedLeo connects him to Nick’s first adult relationship.
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