The Perfect Neighbors (31 page)

Chapter Forty-Two

IT HAPPENED ON A
lazy Sunday morning, while Harry and the kids ate waffles and Tessa sipped coffee and noticed through the window that the birdfeeder she'd hung on the sugar maple tree was nearly empty. By now, their house in Newport Cove had scuff marks on a couple of walls, and the leaves were tumbling off the trees, in need of a good raking. By now, their house in Newport Cove was beginning to feel like home.

Tessa's old friend Cindy was the one who delivered the news. Tessa had always expected a SWAT team to tear down her door, to be led away in handcuffs while tabloid photographers crowded around and stuck cameras in her face and shouted questions. She could see the headline:
Soccer Mom Slays Predator!

But the end began, simply enough, with a phone call.

“I'll get it,” Tessa said.

But Bree leaped out of her seat and reached the phone first. “Oh, hi!” she said. “Yeah, it's okay here . . . My teacher's pretty nice . . . Uh-huh, she's right here.”

Bree handed over the receiver and Tessa heard Cindy's voice.

“Did you hear?” Cindy asked, sounding equal parts exhilarated and angry.

Tessa tapped Harry on the shoulder. When he raised his head, she gave him a meaningful look. “Hang on, let me take this outside.”

She stepped onto the porch, closing the door behind her. “What is it?”

It had to be about Danny, of course. Cindy wouldn't call her with breaking news about any other subject.

“They've declared Danny's death a cold case,” Cindy said. “They don't have any official suspects.”

“So they're closing the investigation?” Tessa gasped. “I figured they'd keep it open at least a year.”

“For now, I guess,” Cindy said. “I mean, they can always reopen these things. At least that's what I've learned from
CSI
.”

So in a decade or two, a sharp young detective, or a seasoned veteran, could run his fingers over files, searching for the one labeled “Danny Briggs.” He could read notes about the interviews. Perhaps there were details about Harry's jiggling leg, and Tessa's nervousness. Harry had bought new tires for Tessa's car and changed them before disposing of the old ones at a dump. But maybe the tires could be unearthed, the tread matched . . .

For now, though, they were safe. Tessa exhaled deeply for what felt like the first time in months.

She eased out of the conversation, claiming she needed to get back to the children, and hung up the phone. Instead of rushing inside to tell Harry the news, though, she sat down on the steps. It could wait a few more minutes.

She closed her eyes, seeing Danny's splayed hands, his open face, that wide smile . . .

She was still afraid. She didn't want to go to jail.

But when she thought about how it had felt to push down on the gas, to see Danny disappear from her rearview mirror, to feel that
thud
under her vehicle . . .

She'd been waiting for it to come, but she still felt zero guilt. She'd do it again, if she had to, with absolutely no hesitation. Again and again and again.

“Mom?”

Addison was calling, her sweet boy, the one she'd protect at all costs. Just as she would Bree.

“I'm coming, honey,” she said, and she stood up, her heartbeat steady, a smile on her face, and went inside, to her family.

Chapter Forty-Three

Newport Cove Listserv Digest

*Re: Remove me from listserv?

Just look for the button that says unsubscribe at the bottom of the digest, that'll take care of it. —Erika Coll, Forsythia Lane

•  •  •

It was a beautiful day for a wedding.

The sun cast a golden light on the trees and blooms that were just beginning to awaken. Why did most brides want June weddings? Susan wondered. Springtime was better; it symbolized a new beginning. An awakening.

The ceremony wouldn't start until three p.m. It was to be a simple backyard affair. Susan got out of her car and walked toward the house, veering right toward the people clustered in the backyard. Two men were setting up tables and chairs, another was busy filling coolers with beer and wine and soda. Her heels sank into the soft earth as she scanned her surroundings.

“Susan?”

She turned around and saw Randall in a crisp white shirt and tan linen shorts, coming toward her. He took another step forward, then hesitated. Behind him she could see Daphne, wearing a cream-colored sundress. She looked very pregnant, and beautiful. And more than a little nervous.

“Hi,” Susan said. “I came to give you this.”

Randall looked down at the white gift bag in her hand, then back up at her.

“It's just a picture frame,” Susan said. A pretty one, though, in sterling silver. “I guess . . . I also wanted to say congratulations in person. To both of you.”

Randall moved closer to her, reached out for the bag. But he didn't speak.

Cole was there, sipping a soda he'd taken from an ice chest, looking adorable in his dress shirt and shorts that matched Randall's. She was glad he was watching.

“Thank you,” Daphne said. She cleared her throat. “That's . . . really wonderful of you.”

“Susan,” Randall said again. Just her name, but she could feel the weight of emotion infusing it. Without thinking, she stretched out her arms and he walked into them, giving her a hard, short hug.

“It's a perfect day for a wedding,” Susan said after Randall released her. She could see him wipe his eyes, but she pretended not to notice.

“Are you sure you can't stay?” Daphne asked, then looked stricken. “I mean, if you— I didn't . . .”

“It's okay,” Susan said. “I need to be somewhere, but maybe we can catch up next time I bring Cole over.”

He was still watching her, her little boy. She was so glad. She walked over to her son and cupped his soft cheek in her hand. At times it surprised her to notice how long and thin his limbs were growing, but she'd always be able to glimpse her baby in him.

“My beautiful boy,” she said.

“Handsome,” Cole corrected.

“My handsome boy,” she said. “I'm so proud of you. Do a good job today.”

“I will,” said Cole, confident as ever. She hadn't harmed him too much. He'd recover from her year of pain. As would she.

“Congratulations,” Susan said again as she encompassed them all—Randall and Daphne and Cole—with a smile. “Have a wonderful day!”

I forgive you
, she thought, and with those words, something loosened in her chest.

She walked away quickly and didn't cry until she was back in her car. But this time, the tears that rolled down her cheeks were gentle, like rain that washes away dust and grime and pollen, leaving shining leaves and clean streets.

Rain was supposed to be lucky on a wedding day, she thought, but who was to say the luck couldn't envelop her, too?

She put the car in gear and began moving ahead as Randall's house—no, Randall and Daphne's house—grew smaller and then disappeared from her rearview mirror.

Her cell phone rang and she looked down at it. Kellie.

“How are you, sweetie?” her friend asked after Susan answered.

“I'm . . . okay,” Susan said, and with those words, she realized it was finally true.

“Do you want me to come over?” Kellie asked.

“How about tomorrow night?” Susan suggested. “I'll cook us dinner.”

“Perfect,” Kellie said. “But let's order in, and I'll bring the wine.”

Susan laughed, and it felt good. “Even better,” she said.

“Has Peter called yet?” Kellie asked.

“Yesterday,” Susan said. “I'm waiting twenty-four hours to call him back, since that's the rule.”

“You really need to see someone about your compulsive habit of making things up,” Kellie said. “Call me if you change your mind about tonight.”

“I will,” Susan promised, but she already knew she wanted to be alone. She'd pour herself a glass of good, cold champagne and toast to her own future. There might be more tears, but they would dry soon enough. She'd put on music and begin to plan, to break free from the emotional limbo that had ensnarled her ever since Randall had left.

First, she'd figure out what to do about the house. She didn't want to move, but she would remodel it, erase some of the memories and make room for new ones. She could redo the whole kitchen and add a front porch and bump out the master bedroom, filling a wall with deep, wide windows to let in the light. Why hadn't she redecorated it before? She'd get new bedding, too, and paint the walls a cheery color. Maybe a pale, fresh green. She'd put a swimming pool in the backyard, with a diving board for Cole. It would be long enough to do laps. She'd always loved to swim. And a hot tub! She could invite the girls over for daiquiris and a soak. It would be good to get to know Tessa better. Susan had felt connected to her new neighbor ever since she'd confided in her the night of Joe's primary victory party. She'd reach out to people more, Susan decided, and start throwing dinner parties. It was time to come out of hibernation and start living again.

She'd begin dreaming tonight.

And tomorrow, she'd start anew.

She turned down her cul-de-sac and did a double take when she passed Mason Gamerman's house. He was pounding a stake into the ground, with a
FOR SALE BY OWNER
sign attached.

Mason was moving?

She gave him a little wave as she passed, knowing he wouldn't return it. She wondered where he was going. She couldn't see him moving into a retirement home, but who knew?

His house would be snapped up quickly. This was a wonderful neighborhood, after all, and even though Mason was a curmudgeon, he owned a nice rambler on a big lot. In a few weeks or months, a moving van would pull up to the curb and couches and beds and bookshelves would be wrestled through the door while a new family—tired and overwhelmed, probably, as well as a little nervous—would settle in.

She couldn't wait to meet them.

•  •  •

Newport Cove Listserv

*Re: Dog Poop

Dear Newport Cove residents, I'm pleased to report that we have obtained video footage from a camera recently placed on a telephone pole that shows the dog poop perpetrator among us is not, in fact, one of our neighborhood's furry friends. It seems a raccoon has been defecating on the lawns of several neighbors, including Ms. Reiserman's. If any residents would like to view the footage first-hand, please notify Shannon Dockser, Newport Cove Manager.

—Signed, Shannon Dockser, Newport Cove Manager

*Re: Dog Poop

How much money did it cost for us to film a raccoon taking a dump? —Frank Fitzgibbons, Forsythia Lane

*Re: Dog Poop

It seems a humane trap and relocation of the raccoon would be in the community's best interest. This is probably a job for the Newport Cove manager to investigate. —Tally White, Iris Lane

*Re: Dog Poop

Thank you for your suggestion, Tally! —Signed, Shannon Dockser, Newport Cove Manager

*Re: Dog Poop

POOOOOOOOOP! —Reece Harmon, Daisy Way

Acknowledgments

As always, my deep gratitude to Greer Hendricks—a spectacular editor, and an equally marvelous friend. It has been an honor to work with you on every single book I've had published, Greer, and I look forward to sharing many adventures, and many bottles of wine, with you in the future.

It's a lucky writer who gets to work with two fantastic editors, and I'm so pleased the smart, savvy, and funny Sarah Cantin is taking this novel on the second half of its journey. My literary agent, Victoria Sanders, is also a superstar: protector, director, connector. Marcy Engelman continues to amaze me—and never fails to make me laugh—and she, along with Ariele Fredman, work tirelessly to spread the word about my books.

My heartfelt thanks to Bernadette Baker-Baughman and Chris Kepner at Team VSA, Haley Weaver at Atria, and also to Emily Gambir and Kathy Nolan for supporting my novels with imagination and energy. Lisa Keim is a wonderful foreign rights agent, and I'm so grateful to her for letting my books see a piece of the world. My appreciation, also and always, to film agent Angela Cheng Caplan. And a thanks to Roald and Leslie Keith for helping me secure a quiet place to write.

To the hardworking and creative gang at Atria Books—­Judith Curr, Suzanne Donahue, Lisa Sciambra, Chelsea Cohen, Hillary Tisman, Jackie Jou, Yona Deshommes, and Paul Olsewski—I'm incredibly lucky to be on your team.

My thanks to booksellers, book bloggers, and librarians, many of whom have become friends.

A special thanks to Chris Neralcam for the incredible support.

As always, to my family—I love you.

And I'm very grateful to YOU, for reading this novel. Please find me on Facebook and Twitter so we can stay in touch!

The Perfect Neighbors

SARAH PEKKANEN

A Reading Group Guide

Topics and Questions for Discussion

1. Throughout the novel, Newport Cove's residents hold their status as one of the twenty safest neighborhoods in the United States as a point of pride. Yet each of the four female narrators feels unsafe in some way, due to the secrets she is holding. Do you think people need to feel emotionally safe in order to feel physically safe, and vice versa?

2. In a series of flashbacks, we observe that Tessa “tried to do everything right” after her baby Bree was born, but quickly
“felt as if she was failing her daughter”
. How does her anxiety about the “right” way to be a mother impact her children and/or her marriage? How have you observed this pressure in your own life, or in the lives of your friends or family? If you have children, how have your beliefs about how to best raise them been affected by the opinions of “experts”?

3. When it comes to her children's safety, Tessa grows to believe she is paranoid or too sensitive, to the point where she becomes wary of raising an alarm when she thinks something is seriously wrong. Do you think it is generally better to be overly suspicious or overly cautious? What are the drawbacks of each, as portrayed in the novel?

4. Kellie initially thinks that because she and Miller have never kissed, she is not cheating on her husband. Is “emotional cheating”
really
cheating? Why or why not? How would you respond if a significant other acted as Kellie did? Have you ever been tempted to slip into emotional infidelity, and if so, how did you deal with the situation?

5.
“Facebook stalking wasn't something she was proud of”
. Was Susan's Facebook stalking relatable or an invasion of privacy? Is Facebook stalking a normal part of having a crush/getting over a breakup, or is it self-destructive?

6. For much of the novel, Susan feels incapable of letting go of the past, at one point despairing that
“[s]ometimes, though, people didn't adjust”
to an ex moving on. In what ways does Susan's struggle with her divorce mirror the issues her friends are dealing with? What keeps people from moving forward? Looking at these protagonists, where do you see them ultimately exhibiting personal growth?

7. Susan begins dating only after realizing that her son recognizes that she misses his father. To what extent should the desires of someone's children impact their dating choices—and should a parent end a relationship if her children don't like it? Furthermore, do you think falling for someone new is a prerequisite to getting over a past love?

8. What did you initially suspect had happened to Tessa and Harry before they moved to Newport Cove? What did you think of the ultimate revelation, and how did it affect your feelings toward these characters? Why do you think the author ended that story line the way she did?

9.
“She'd been waiting for it to come, but she still felt zero guilt”
. Reread this scene as a group and discuss your reactions to this line. Do you think you would have felt the same in Tessa's shoes?

10. Besides injecting doses of humor into the narrative, what role does the Newport Cove listserv fill? What sense of the community, or of the individual characters, does it provide? Were there any messages in the listserv digests that echoed larger themes from the novel? Discuss a few of your favorite emails.

Enhance Your Book Club

1. Look through the listserv digest sections for some of the characters whose voices we get a real sense of, but whose story is not directly addressed, such as Shannon Dockser, Tally White, or Frank Fitzgibbons. Try writing a scene from their perspective, about the goings-on of the neighborhood or what you imagine their lives are like. Share your writing pieces as a group.

2. In
The Perfect Neighbors
, Sarah Pekkanen has crafted a cast of diverse characters, all of whom leap off the page. If the novel became a film, who would you envision in the lead roles?

3. Consider reading one of Sarah Pekkanen's other novels (such as
Things You Won't Say
,
These Girls
, or
The Best of Us
) for your group's next meeting, and compare the major themes of your selection with those in
The Perfect Neighbors.
You can also connect with Sarah Pekkanen on Facebook and Twitter, and learn more about Sarah's books or invite her to Skype your book club by visiting:
www.sarahpekkanen.com
.