Page 23 of Warrior's Walk

Liza pulls through a fast food place, and we order spicy chicken sandwiches, onion rings, and shakes to go. The greasy goodness tastes transformative, much better than hospital food, and I can’t disguise my moan of pure pleasure.

“Mmm, this tastes like gourmet cuisine after eating Womack’s cafeteria food.”

Liza laughs. “Okay, let’s play best and worst,” she mumbles around a mouthful of chicken.

“What’s best and worst?”

“You have to tell me your best and worst of whatever topic we choose.” She merges back onto the highway, managing the steering wheel and her sandwich at the same time. “Let’s start with you. Best thing you ever ate.”

This sounds easy. I can do this. I pop an onion ring into my mouth and chew as I think. “My mama’s gumbo.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. Worst?”

“Anything I’ve cooked,” I say jokingly.

“At least you’re honest,” she laughs. “Best thing I ever ate was last year for my birthday. A bunch of the girls at the hospital took me out to dinner at this hot pot place. I tried so many new things and, oh my gosh, everything was so delicious. They had to roll me out of there.”

I watch her with a smile on my lips. Liza is so animated when she talks, using her expressions and her hands; she just sucks you right in. “Worst thing?”

“Anything they serve at Womack.” We bust out laughing together. “Okay, best movie. Go.”

Taking a sip of my shake, I try to think. “Uh,An Officer And A Gentleman.”

“Really? Nothing from after you were born?” She smirks, and I return it.

“My mama used to watch all the classics on repeat. We had the complete VHS library. I don’t know why, but that movie stuck with me.”

“Is that why you wanted to be a soldier?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think just one movie did it for me, but I had a healthy admiration and respect for the military. My mama had a thing for World War II movies that romanticized war.”

She clutches her heart and says in a false southern belle voice, “How romantic. I do declare.” I swat her arm. “What’s the worst movie?”

Giving her a sideways glance, I admit, “Gone With The Wind.”

Liza gasps dramatically. “Rhett Butler Marsh, don’t you speak blasphemy in my presence!” She catches my eye roll and adds, “I’m calling your mama and telling on you.”

“Don’t you dare! You know that’s her favorite movie, obviously.”

“So, what do you have against Scarlett and Rhett?”

“Nothing really, but after my fifty-seventh viewing, every fuckin’ word they utter grates my nerves.”

Liza straight up cackles. “Don’t think I won’t leverage this blackmail against you,” she threatens.

“You break my mama’s heart, I break both your legs. Then we’ll be twins.” I grab another onion ring. “What about you?”

“Best has to be13 Going On 30.”

“You can’t be serious,” I tease.

Liza shrugs. “I love a good romance. Worst movie is anything scary or gory. I can’t watch them.”

“Talk about leverage and blackmail,” I hint.

She swats me back, giggling. Honest to God, I’ve never heard Liza giggle. Didn’t know she was capable of making that sound.

“All right, what’s your best day?”

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