Best Friend's Brother

Prologue

Age 6:

Veronica sits on the porch of her new house, coloring in her book as moving men bring furniture and boxes into the house. Another new home in the last two years. She's lost track of how many houses this was, probably in double digits by now. For starters, her mom could never hold down a job, nor a boyfriend. More men have come through the house then Ronnie had friends. A family of five come walking across the lawn, holding a platter of cookies. Behind the mother, walk three children. One has shaggy, bleached hair, another with dark brown hair that's nearly all shaved off, and the last one has light brown hair in the shape of a bowl.

Ronnie's mom comes outside, smiling at her little girl before looking at the neighbors. The boys's mom speaks up first. "Hi, We're the Franco's. We just wanted to stop by and give you some of our freshly baked cookies as a welcoming gift." Betsy hands Monica the plate of cookies. 

"I'm Monica, and that there is my little girl, Veronica." Ronnie gets off the porch, dusting her knees off. She tucks herself into her mom's side, waving at the boys. 

"These are my boys, James, Tom and Dave." Dave gives an anxious wave, holding onto the blonde, James. "Go play with her, you guys." James steps up and holds out his hand. 

"C'mon, Veronica, Let's go draw with chalk." Ronnie nods excitedly, following the three boys to the house next door.