"Unmasked

Bree Hodge had become an expert at masking pain with perfection. While others would swallow their pride and allow their emotions to take over, she could push even the most powerful feelings so far into the back of her mind that sometimes even she would forget them. Bree, of course, was well aware that this was not particularly healthy behavior, but she also firmly believed that she was able to keep herself, and her sanity, in check. How she kept herself standing from one day to the next was no one's business but her own. However, watching someone else portray the same behavior was becoming increasingly more difficult. Especially when that person happened to be a close friend.

It had been six days, 4 hours, and thirty-three minutes since Katherine Mayfair ended the life of her ex-husband, Wayne. The first few days were a blur, filled with a endless stream fair-weather friends. While many of her friends and neighbors intentions may have appeared genuine, Katherine knew that all they really wanted was a bit of gossip and possibly even a sob story. She made sure to send them off unsatisfied, and just as expected, they soon stopped coming by. By day four Katherine's story was old news. The residents of Wisteria Lane entered back into their normal routines and habits in no time at all. All except for one, of course.

Bree could not take her mind off of the events that had taken place next door. Katherine's home was just like every other on Wisteria Lane, but yet every time she looked at it she would relive the horror of fearing for her own life. Yet even more powerful than the fear and anguish she had for herself was what she felt for Katherine. Try as she may, she simply could not wrap her mind around her friend's horrifying past. The mere thought of silently dealing with the loss of a child was enough to make her feel physically ill.

While Katherine had lived with all of her secrets everyday for well over a decade, Bree could not help but feel obligated to try and help her in some way. Aside from Dylan, she was the only living soul who knew Katherine's secrets. She saw this as both a privilege and a curse. After all, great responsibility comes along with too much knowledge.

As she had done everyday since the shooting, Bree concealed her anxiety and went to over to Katherine's house for lunch.

"Bree, what a surprise." Katherine's tone may have been sarcastic, but her smile was genuine. "You know," She glanced at the basket of muffins Bree was carrying. "As much as I appreciate you bringing me baked goods on a daily basis, there's really no need. You do realize that anything you bring I can make just as good if not better." She smirked, ushering her friend inside.

"Well, let's not get carried away." Bree forced a smile, though she was a bit agitated by the truth of the remark. "I assumed you wouldn't be in much of a baking mood during a time like this." She settled the basket on the kitchen counter.

"A time like what?" Katherine questioned innocently.

"I think you know what I'm referring to." She felt a bit uncomfortable. After all, she was not accustomed to prying.

" I told you, I feel much better now. Things are better." Katherine looked up, avoiding eye contact. It was clear that Bree was not buying her act, and she could not help but feel a bit frightened by the prospect. "With Wayne gone, I feel like I've finally gotten my life back. I'm free, can't you see that?"

"But you…" Bree was at a loss for words, "Katherine, you…you've been through a terrible trauma, I just hope - "

"I've been through worse." Katherine interrupted as she began scrubbing feverishly at an invisible spec on the counter. "Much worse. And I survived, didn't I? I got by just fine without you and your muffins and your endless concern." She snapped. "I'm sorry you had to be here when everything happened. It must have been awfully traumatic for you but please, stop trying to make me feel angry or…or depressed or whatever else you want me feel because it's not happening." Her voice was beginning to sound a bit desperate as she forcefully continued scrubbing the already clean counter. "Just let it go."

Bree listened to Katherine but heard her own voice. She heard herself talking to Lynette after Rex had passed, telling her that it was just his time and that she had accepted his death, when in reality she had spent the entire morning hysterical on the bathroom floor. She remembered the sound of her voice when Danielle confronted her about abandoning Andrew, and how she had said it was for the best, even though the agony she was experiencing was unbearable. She felt not only Katherine's anguish, but also her pride. And she knew that as deep as her grief ran, her pride was even deeper and much tougher to break.

"Okay." Bree gently placed her hand on top of Katherine's, keeping it still so she would momentarily stop scrubbing. She hesitated, "Looks pretty clean." Katherine nodded, slowly pulling herself away.

"Katherine?" Bree was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable with the silence.

"What."

"Shall we discuss the flower arrangements for the Smith wedding?"

"What?" Katherine's demeanor transformed in a matter of seconds. "Oh…oh! Yes, of course. I…well, I was thinking pink and red roses. They'd look lovely with the tablecloth, don't you agree?"

"Pink and red? Honey this isn't Valentine's Day. And might I remind you we haven't actually agreed on a tablecloth yet. What about violets..."