Once and For All: An American Valor Novel by Cheryl Etchison

convenient. Obviously, the time had come for the interrogation portion of the evening.
    “So . . .” Marie began. The blade of her Santoku knife pounded into the butcher block as she julienned a carrot with the skill and speed of a professional chef. “How did you and Danny meet?”
    Bree kept her eyes on the knife, the bright light glinting off the blade with each rhythmic chop. “I don’t remember how we met, really.”
    “Could it have been in a bar, by chance?”
    She detected a hint of a snort at the end of Marie’s question as she dropped the knife and cutting board in the sink and went about warming a bottle.
    “We’ve known each other for as long as I can remember. He and Michael grew up across the street from my family. His father still lives there, as a matter of fact.”
    Marie’s expression softened immediately, surprised. “Really?”
    “Mmm-hmm,” Bree answered as she took a fortifying sip. “Our mothers were best friends. And everywhere they went, we went. Together.”
    Bored with Cheerios, Hannah began to fuss in her high chair. Armed with dinner for one, Marie sat down for the first time since she and Danny arrived. As Marie fed the baby, the conversation naturally shifted to the topic of children, and Bree learned they not only had two boys, but two girls, as well. The oldest, Leah, whom her mother described as eleven going on twenty-five, was currently at a friend’s house. Their identical twin boys were eight, while the baby was ten months. At one point, Ben returned to grab two longnecks from the refrigerator, pausing on his way out to kiss his wife and ruffle his daughter’s hair while she chewed and sucked on her bottle.
    Bree took a long drink from her glass, wanting to drown the burn of jealousy in her gut. There once was a time she’d thought her and Danny’s future would be just like this. With a family that was loving and happy and loud. Instead, they were glorified roommates, counting down the days until their divorce.
    She wanted to cry. She could actually feel the burn behind her eyes. It would be so easy to go there, but Bree refused to let it happen. She reminded herself to be thankful for what she had. She was alive, for one. She wasn’t alone in this world and knew the love of family and friends. Even had one friend who cared enough to give her that new beginning she’d long believed to be only a pipe dream. No, she was far better off than so many others. It would be best to never forget that.
    Proud of saving herself from drowning in a sea of self-pity, Bree rose from her seat, needing to be productive. Bree asked Marie to direct her to where the tableware and things were kept. Armed with a stack of dishes and silverware, she went about setting the table. But even as she moved from place to place, she felt Marie watching her.
    Bree carefully smoothed the long brown strands and turned to face her hostess. “It’s a wig.”
    Marie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Excuse me?”
    “My hair, it’s a wig. Just in case you’re wondering.” She smiled, hoping to put her at ease. “I finished chemo a while ago but my hair hasn’t grown back yet.”
    “Oh,” Marie whispered as she patted Hannah’s back, now drowsy and draped over her shoulder. “I’m sorry if I appeared to be staring. I mean, I was staring, but not for the reason you were thinking. I promise I hadn’t even noticed your hair.” She then politely excused herself to take the baby upstairs.
    Shit.
    She let her own insecurities get the best of her and ended up making Marie uncomfortable. What a way to make friends. Clearly, years of self-imposed confinement had damaged her social skills.
    Marie returned several minutes later with a baby monitor in hand. She turned it on, the soft static filling the room.
    “I’m really sorry—”
    Marie cut her off with the wave of a hand. “If anyone should apologize, it should be me. After all, I was staring. But I’m still just trying to figure this whole