Page 66 of Keeping London (Flawed Heart)

“Eh,” I say, making a noncommittal sound. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve already grown a lot today. I actually exercised on purpose and cooked. My brain can take only so much growing per day.”

“Do you think the red stains are going to come off the walls?” She motions to our white-painted walls.

“You know…I’ve been thinking that we need some color in here. I could call a painter, too?”

“Yeah!” Paige says excitedly. “Can we do that light gray-blue color?”

“Oh, that’ll be so pretty. Definitely.” I nod.

“Thai?”

“Yeah, let’s go to the new place on Fourth. They have the best sesame chicken noodles.”

“Sounds delish. Let’s leave right after we shower. I didn’t get a lunch break today. I’m starving,” Paige says before she heads off to her bathroom.

I take one last look at the kitchen and shake my head. A huge grin spreads across my face as I head toward my room.

To: Loïc Berkeley

From: London Wright

Subject: Question 43

Hey, baby. I’m attaching pictures of our new kitchen. Isn’t it pretty? Paige and I had a food fight with bright red sauce last week, and I had to hire a painter. I bet you thought I was going to say,Just kidding, but I’m not. Lol. It’s the truth. But, to be honest, the kitchen was due for a makeover. I just love the new colors. The blue hues are so pretty and calming. It’s my favorite room in the house now. And, since I’m rarely in the kitchen, that’s not cool, so I’ve decided to remodel my entire house. Yay!

Don’t judge. ;-)

You make your daily checklists like Cooper taught you, and I’m going to remodel a perfectly good house for no reason, other than I’m bored. We all cope in different ways. Plus, just think, when you get back, it’s going to be so exciting for you to see all the newly redecorated rooms.

So, I’m trying to figure out what to do for my birthday. I mean, twenty-three…it’s kind of a big deal. I’m totally kidding. It so is not. But, still, you’re not here, and that makes me sad, so I need to do something fun to cheer me up. Do you think you could sneak me into your base over there? You just say the word, and I’ll hop on the next plane. ;-) Otherwise, maybe I’ll go to Vegas or somewhere with Georgia and Paige for the weekend. I’m just not in the mood to go clubbing here. I’m over it. Maybe we’ll go to a spa for the weekend. OMG…that is my mother’s favorite thing to do on her birthday. I’m totally turning into her. Just great.

Well, to get to your last question, I get why you said Saturn. All those rings are pretty impressive, and as a child, I would have said Saturn, too. But, now, I’m going to have to say Pluto. You know why? Because Pluto is little and cute and has never caused problems. And people—whoever they are, those scientists somewhere—want to say that Pluto isn’t a planet anymore, and I’m saying, WRONG. Pluto is totally still a planet, and that’s why it’s my favorite. Screw those people. What do they know?

So, question 43: Who’s your favorite superhero? I’m saying Captain America. I’m not sure why. There’s just something hot about him. Maybe it’s the military thing? I mean, you’re way hotter, of course. But, if I had to choose, I’d say him. What about you?

I hope you’re safe. I hope you’re happy. I hope you know how much I love you.

Love,

London

Loïc

“It feels like the calm before the storm. And life has taught me that storms aren’t just damaging; they’re devastating.”

—Loïc Berkeley

I toss another gummy bear into my mouth.Red, my favorite.I’m lying on what can only be described as a military beanbag. Some soldier before me fashioned it by wrapping a tarp around a pile of straw and maybe some old clothes. I’m not certain, but it’s comfortable enough.

I’ve never been a huge gummy bear fan, but that all changed when I met London. Now, I love them. I’m sure a lot of their appeal has to do with the nostalgic value they carry. These little sugary dudes remind me of London with every bite. Maybe that’s why she sent them to me.

I just received my second care package from London. It was full of every flavor and shape of gummy that’s sold along with gum, some snacks, replacements of all my favorite brands of toiletries, a Blu-ray player, a handful of Blu-ray movies, and a stack of pictures of London and me.

A bunch of my brothers and I are seated around the TV in our makeshift game room, watchingDeadpool—one of the movies London sent—for the third time this week. London’s so thoughtful. I’m glad she thought to send the Blu-ray player because all that was here prior to that was an old DVD player. Although the quality of the discs is lost on this crappy TV, it still gives us something to do.

Our game room is basically a rectangular shack made out of cheap plywood. It houses a few card tables, a TV, and a couple of couches. During my downtime, if I’m not at the gym, running, or in my room, I’m here. It’s just a place to shoot the shit, watch a movie, play a game of cards, or just hang with some of the guys.

Cooper plops down on the couch next to me. “Deadpoolagain, huh?” He was late for the movie selection because he was finishing up Skyping with Maggie.

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