Page 166 of You + Me – Against the World

She laughs softly, a little embarrassed. Or moved.

“She owns a ridiculous pom-pom hat, is cold all the time, and always wants to go shopping… but she could make you love anything. Crappy movies, crowded stores, restaurants where there’s nothing to eat, nights where you fall asleep alone waiting for someone to come wake you up. But even if no one does, you’re still happy to get up in the morning.”

“Je t’aime, Vadim Arcadi.”

Alma had been listening to me without saying a word, with a smile on her lips that grew wider and wider, her eyes shining… and then she said that. Told me she loved me. She always says it when you least expect it, and it always has the same effect on me. But this time it was even better, because she said it in French.

VADIM ALONE AGAINST THE WORLD

Six months later

I consider tearing up the letter. Turning it into confetti and tossing it into the air to celebrate my release.

That’s all these ink-covered pages deserve.

But Clémentine is still holding it out to me, her eyes misty, and I’m starting to get sick of girls looking at me with tears in their eyes. I take the envelope from her and slip it into the back pocket of my jeans.

Later… I’ll read it later.

Felix jumps on me for the thousandth time, rubbing his clenched fist against my skull until it hurts. He always used to do that when we were kids and he wanted to annoy me. This time, though, it’s because he can’t contain his joy. He wants to celebrate. And I let him do it without flinching.

I feel a little… numb.

“Man, you should have seen Keith’s face! He thought he was untouchable, but he’s just been brought down. He’s facing twenty years! Can you believe it?”

“No…”

Stunned. That’s it, I’m stunned.

“We nailed that bastard! La Mama’s reign is over! Adios! We’re free, and we’re going back to la casa!” he exclaims, speaking in Spanglish like he does every time he gets overexcited.

“Easy, Alonso, you’re wearing everyone out!” grumbles Clem, frowning. “Vadim, what are you going to do now?”

“No idea. Sleep for ten days straight. Take a thirty-minute shower. Eat something other than gross mashed potatoes and stale bread.”

“I’m taking you to Chick-fil-A, man! You too, D’Aragon, my treat!”

“Oh that sounds dreamy, Fe.” She sighs and rolls her eyes. “But I’d better get going. I’ve got a flight to Paris tomorrow.”

Paris.

Alma…

I hadn’t thought about her for a whole minute.

“Vadim, please read her letter. It’s important to her.”

“Yeah, yeah. I will.”

Muttering an off-hand reply is my way of putting on armor so I don’t let anything show.

“Before I go, is there anything you want me to tell her?”

“Hmm…” I hesitate, my throat tight.

Thousands of things, actually.

Go to hell.