A minute later, he blurts, “Hey, you kept it!” “Huh?” “The eagle I folded for you. You kept it.” He points to the origami eagle on my nightstand. “Of course I kept it, soldier.” A smile curves my lips. Fuck it, I’m keeping him, too.
His words hit me right in my heart. He’s so young, and he’s got that twenty-four-karat gold heart he told me was something he looked for in others, and he’s lost more than anyone deserves to lose. I’m not sure he can handle one more thing. Not without damaging his beautiful soul.
“You’ve denied it before, but you’re a fuckin’ liar. When we were in the desert, the night I got hurt, I felt something when I met you. I don’t know what, but something, and I know for a fact you felt it too. Then, at Womack, you fuckin’ knew I would be there, that you would see me again when you said goodbye to me in Afghanistan. You were back for two fuckin’ weeks, spyin’ on me before you made yourself known. Why would you do that if you didn’t care? Every time I need somethin’, every time I turn around, you’re there with a solution. I know you do that for all the guys, but look me in the eye and tell me it’s not different with us. I dare you.”
He swipes away his tears and sniffles. “You wanna know how I know you’re the one? ’Cause I’ve never felt this way before about anyone or anything. Just you, Riggs. Loving you, yeah, that feels right, but also, I’m in love with you. I know it for a fact. That might scare you, that might make you want to push me away, but you already know by now that I’ll just keep coming back. I’ll always come back to you, ’cause you’re mine.” It’s best if I don’t say too much right now, or I’ll be a blubbering fucking mess like he is. “I’m yours?” “Hell yeah. I claimed you the night I fuckin’ met you. I snotted all over your shirt. You’ve been mine ever since.”
My throat works, convulsing like it’s having a seizure. How do I tell him? How do I find the words to explain to Rhett that he’slikely going to lose his mother? How do I break his heart when I swore to protect it?
“I’m coming back for you, soldier. You’re mine, don’t forget that.” Like I could ever forget.
West’s Chili Mac MRE Apocalypse Lasagna
Recipe and Personal Reviews
Amildly revolting yet fully operational dish starring MRE Chili Mac and questionable culinary talent.
INGREDIENTS:
* 2 MRE Chili Mac packets (bonus if one’s been slightly squished in your rucksack)
* 1 sleeve of saltine crackers, crushed and emotionally unstable
* 1 Kraft cheese slice (optional but ominous)
* 3 pickle slices (from someone else’s MRE)
* 1 packet of jalapeño cheese spread (you know the one)
* 1 packet of instant mashed potatoes (because you hate yourself just enough)
* Hot sauce packet (for illusion of flavor)
* Crushed red pepper (from a pizza joint three towns ago)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Prep the Layers of Despair:
Warm the Chili Mac MRE packets using whatever heating method you trust—flameless heater, dashboard sun-bake, or screaming into the pouch until it cries. Set aside.
2. The “Noodle” Layer:
In a shallow dish (or clean ammo can lid), layer crushed saltines like sad, crunchy lasagna sheets.
3. The “Meat Sauce” Layer:
Slather on one pouch of Chili Mac. Add half the jalapeño cheese spread in stringy, threatening blobs.
4. Layer Two: Existential Mashed Potatoes:
Mix up the instant potatoes. Add the hot sauce and red pepper flakes. Layer on top like you’re pretending this is culinary art.
5. More Chili Mac:
Add the second pouch, then lay on your Kraft cheese slice like a limp flag of surrender.
6. Pickle Garnish (mandatory):
