Page 32 of Loving London

“I don’t know. I’ve asked her the same thing. She doesn’t have to work right now. I have enough money for all of our bills. But she likes it.”

“All right. Well, I guess she knows what her body can handle.” Maggie places the food in the microwave. “Has she decided on a name yet?”

“Oh no…please don’t…” I protest.

She laughs. “That bad?”

“Yes, that bad. It’s all she ever talks about. It’s driving me crazy. Do yourself a favor. Next time you see her, steer clear of the wholenametopic.”

“Okay.” She chuckles. She places two plates of potpie on the table and sits down across from me. She takes a big bite. “This is good.” She nods her head.

“Yeah,” I agree.

After a few moments filled with only the sound of us eating, Maggie says, “So, how are you, Loïc?”

I’m sure she realizes that I’m not perfect, given the position she found me in, but I answer, “I’m okay.”

“Is there anything I can do to help you?”

“No, I’m getting there. It’s just an adjustment, is all.” I shrug.

“Have you been seeing a therapist or anyone at the VA?”

“I don’t need to talk to a head doctor, Maggie. I’m fine. It just takes a while to get back to normal; that’s all.”

Maggie places her fork down on the plate and looks me in the eyes. “I’m worried about you, Loïc.”

“I know you are, but you don’t need to be. I’m fine. I’m good.” I offer her a smile.

“Well, please promise me that, if you’re not, you’ll go and get help.”

“Of course.”

“Loïc, promise me.”

“I promise, okay?” I stare in her eyes, pleading with her to drop this subject.

She sighs. “All right. So, how is everything else?”

“Fine. Not much new. I hang out here all day, watch loads of TV. Sarah works a lot. When she’s here, she’s talking, usually about the baby. She feeds me way more than I need. And that’s about it. That’s my life. What about you? What have you been up to?”

Maggie releases the bottom lip that she’s been biting. “My life isn’t too exciting either. I’m either working or sleeping. I pick up extra shifts all the time, and when I’m at my parents’ house, I’m asleep.”

“What are you going to do with all your money?” I ask.

“Right now, it’s just sitting in the bank. Maybe, when things get a little easier, I can use it to put a down payment on a house. I’m not sure yet.”

“Yeah.” I nod.

“So, have you spoken to London lately?” Maggie questions.

I shake my head. “Nope. Not since I called her and officially broke it off.”

She drops her eyes to her plate.

“Look, I know I owe her more, Maggie. But I just can’t right now. Don’t be disappointed in me.”

“I’m not, Loïc,” she says reassuringly. “I know that everyone handles grief differently. You have to do what’s best for you. I just really liked you two together.”

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