Page 44 of Keeping London (Flawed Heart)

Subject: Question 15

Loïc, you are brave, and you have more courage than anyone I’ve ever known. Maybe I helped you see that in yourself, but it was there all along.

I’m glad you want to go to London. I think that will help you so much. There has to be a reason for everything. And, if there’s not a good one, you’ll be fine with that, too.

You have conquered more true heartaches and obstacles than any one person ever should. But you’re still here. You’re strong. You’re perfect…cracks and all.

And I love you more than I ever thought possible.

To answer your question, if I could go any place right now that I’ve never been…well, it’d surely be Bagram, Afghanistan. No questions asked. I’ve heard that not only is the hottest man alive there, but that the mountains are pretty, too. :-)

I woke up to the most beautiful snow today and immediately thought of you. I’m attaching some pics of me and said snow. I was going to let you believe what you want, but in full disclosure, I must admit that I was only outside for, like, a minute. You know, if you were here, you would have us gallivanting all over the great state of Michigan, doing all sorts of outdoor activities. But I decided to slowly build up my endurance so that I can hang with you next winter. And, yes, a minute was my limit. I have some work to do. ;-) Regardless, the pictures are cute, and I hope they bring a smile to your face.

I’m about to do some online shopping and hang with Paige for the day. I hope whatever you are doing, you are safe and happy. I love you.

Question 15: What’s your favorite animal?

Mine’s a dog. I think they are so adorable and sweet. Growing up, I always wanted a puppy, but my dad is allergic, so it was never an option. Just FYI, someday, you and I are going to get a puppy together. Maybe, if you’re lucky, I’ll let you name him. Of course, I’d have to agree on it. ;-)

Love you,

London

Loïc

“It’s hard to risk your life and to see your brothers lose their lives for a cause that’s often hard to find.”

—Loïc Berkeley

I’m lacing up my tennis shoes when I hear the first blast—a mortar. I’d be surprised if that one even made it inside the wire, the area protected by our troops. Mortar attacks are at least a weekly occurrence. The Taliban set up these Chinese rockets quite often, usually on a timer so that they’re not still in the area when the rockets shoot off. At least half of the time, they detonate outside the wire, but they do land on base as well.

I jump when a second boom from a rocket sounds, this time close enough that the cheap wood beneath my feet trembles.

Shit.

I lunge toward the exit and swing open my door just as the base’s sirens go off, warning us to take shelter. Cooper comes flying out of his room at the same time, his hair a disheveled mess and his eyes still puffy with sleep.

“Hell of a wake-up call!” he yells to me over the hums of disarray.

We sprint out of the building.

Another explosion, and this one is deafening, hitting the sleeping quarters about fifty yards to my left. My hands instinctively cover my ears that are now ringing as I turn my face away from the blast that has sent wooden fragments racing through the air. We run faster. In a matter of seconds, along with everyone else housed in this section of the base, we’re safe within the bunker.

“Kent!” Cooper shouts to one of our brothers whose room in the building was just demolished by a mortar. “Did everyone get out?”

“Still missing Carter!” Kent yells back as he continues to scan the space, an unsettling fear present in his eyes.

Carter’s just a kid—eighteen, I think. He’s real funny. This is his first tour, and he’s already well liked on base. He’s one of those guys who gets along with everyone. As one of the youngest guys on base, he fills the role of everyone’s little goofball brother. A pang hits my chest as I immediately start searching the faces in the tight space, praying to see Carter’s mischievous grin.

“Oh, Carter was switched to night watch,” a brother from Kent’s unit answers.

I stop scanning to listen.

“When?” Kent asks.

“Last night was his first night. He wasn’t back from watch yet when the mortar hit,” the soldier responds.

The collective sigh of relief coming from the men in the cement bunker can almost be heard over the chaos sounding outside.

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