Page 9 of Finding London

“Please say you’re going to keep your apartment in New York.”

They have an awesome place downtown. It’s within walking distance of everything, and it’s so convenient when visiting the city.

“Yeah, I think we are—for a while. It’s nice to have a place here, and your father always seems to have meetings here, regardless of where we’re living.”

“Oh, good. I love it there.”

“Me, too. I’ll miss it, but I’m sure the change of pace will be nice as well.”

“I’m sure,” I agree.

“Well, of course, our numbers will stay the same. I’ll text you the new address. We’re departing for Kentucky tomorrow. We’ll leave everything here in the apartment besides some personal items that have already been moved. Other than that, the designers have the new house all ready. It’s beautiful. I hope you can make it down to visit soon.”

“I’ll try, Mom. Not really sure what my summer plans are, but maybe I can fit in a trip.”

“Thanks, honey. Oh, I have to go and get ready for this new acroyoga class I’m taking.”

“Acroyoga?”

“Oh, yes. It’s great. It’s like yoga and includes all sorts of bendy positions, except I have a base—a guy beneath me. He lifts me with his legs so that all the moves are done up in the air. It’s so fun. You should try it.”

“It sounds slightly dangerous and a little scandalous. Be careful, Mom.”

“Oh, it’s fine.” She laughs. “Talk soon, honey. Love you.”

“Love you, too, Mom.”

I shoot Georgia a text to tell her that I love her and hope she’s having a ball. I end by telling her to give Mom a quick call when she can. I have no idea what time it is over on that continent, but she’ll get my text at some point.

I turn on my pre-party playlist as I step into the shower. A smile crosses my face as the hot water falls over me. I am so ready for a night of fun.

Loïc

Age Ten

New Hope, Mississippi

“In the stories, the bars would keep the bad guys in, but I’m praying they’ll protect me, keeping the most evil man out.”

—Loïc Berkeley

I spy with my little eye peeling flooring, dust bunnies, and a crack running up the cupboard—three things that don’t matter, yet they calm my racing heart. The circumstances I’m in aren’t the best. Actually, I can’t think of much worse. But I know I have to continue to fight until they come.

They will come.

That’s what I’ve been telling myself for 1,029 days. I’ve been here in this evil place for almost three years. I’ve been trying very hard to be patient, to wait…but it’s difficult, and every day is so scary.

They will be here soon.

Until then, I play my game. I’m not sure why it helps, but it does. It reminds me of Daddy, which gives me strength. But it’s more than that. I guess it forces me to focus on something that won’t hurt me. There is so little that I have control over in my life, and so much of that unknown is painful.

I can’t do anything about the crack running up the fake wooden cupboard door, but staring at it takes my attention away from the other things in the room that will hurt me. The dust bunnies—although, I suppose, if I inhaled them, they could present a problem—are safe. But the man standing in the dirty work boots next to the piles of dust and hair is anything but.

The kitchen, under the metal card table, is where I’ve chosen to hide. I close my eyes and imagine myself shaking my head.Not the best choice.I don’t dare actually move though. I’m too afraid.

In all of his rage, he hasn’t seen me yet, and if I get really lucky, he won’t.

Please don’t let him see me,over and over in my head, I pray…to whom I don’t know.

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