A heavy silence filled the room, broken only by Emily, who cleared her throat as if to dislodge her discomfort. “Well, that kicks things off with a bang,” she said, giving herself a generous pour from the margarita pitcher.
“And one of those is a lie?” asked Alex disbelievingly. “Only one?” Under the circumstances, she certainly hoped Brooke had been an exotic dancer. And as creepy as the idea of a stalker was, it was better than an admission of murder.
“I’ve given you only one lie,” Brooke announced, her poker face replaced with a devious grin. “Those are the rules.”
“I mean, look at your body,” said Willow, leaning forward in her chair to make a closer inspection. “Obviously you danced. Give you a pole, and I’d slip a dollar under your G-string.”
Emily spit out a laugh.
“Only a dollar?” said Brooke, who seemed offended. As if to put an exclamation mark on the slight, Brooke stood, holding her hands out in front of her as though gripping an imaginary pole. She began to sway her hips in slow motion, making suggestive, sexy moves in time to the upbeat music now playing. She kept her pole-gripping pantomime going as she splayed her legs wide, slowly lowering herself down to the floor. Alex could easily imagine her being onstage. Rising with the same sultry grace, Brooke capped off her demonstration with an alluring, over-the-shoulder look sent Willow’s way.
“Okay, make it ten dollars,” said Willow, and all burst out laughing.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say former exotic dancer is definitely true,” said Alex, who was glad Nick hadn’t been there to watch Brooke’s display.
“And thank God you didn’t dance like that on any of our trips,” said Emily.
Brooke laughed a little uneasily while Alex nodded. Ken and Jerry had been close friends growing up, went to high school together. It was no coincidence when Jerry bought the house on the same street as Ken. Given the long history between the two, it was only natural for the couples to vacation together.
“When and where was this period of your life?” Willow asked.
“In my twenties,” said Brooke. “While I was living in New York. I danced at a gentleman’s club in Chelsea.”
“Not sure that’s dancing, and gentleman’s club? That’s trying hard to make it sound classy,” Emily said.
“And that’s a bit judgmental,” Brooke countered without sounding offended. “I provided a service to an upscale clientele.”
“By service, you mean lap dances,” Willow clarified.
“And I got well compensated for my skills,” answered Brooke proudly.
“How much of your earnings came from married guys?” Emily asked, as if this touched a nerve. Alex didn’t know whether Ken ever visited gentleman’s clubs, but she now had her suspicions.
“I don’t think that’s cheating,” Willow said.
“Agreed,” Brooke said. “So what? I gave married guys a little thrill. I let them ogle my boobs and enjoy some dirty thoughts about me. It’s just a fantasy—I never crossed the line with a client. I mean, a lot of guys watch porn. Are they all jerks?”
Nobody jumped to the men’s defense. Alex was ambivalent at best on the subject of pornography. She had never gone snooping into Nick’s private behavior, but he claimed to abstain. Even if he indulged from time to time, she wasn’t sure it was a big deal, as long as it didn’t become an obsession that interfered with their intimacy. It seemed to provide a safe sexual outlet for most men, or maybe even gave them new ideas for the bedroom.
Alex’s mediation practice had offered too many examples of couples that had fallen apart fighting about sex for her to be closed-minded about her own husband. As long as there wasn’t any touching, she’d be understanding about an occasional strip club visit, too. But she certainly wouldn’t want Brooke to be the star performer.
A small worry danced in and out of Alex’s thoughts. They’d had a lull in the bedroom these past few months, what with Lettie’s troubles, stress at work, and tension at home. Could he be harboring resentment? It was possible, though he hadn’t voiced any complaints. She’d never questioned Nick’s fidelity, but suddenly she could hear doubts knocking.
“We all know most guys are jerks, especially my soon-to-be ex,” Willow said. “I’m actually a little impressed, Brooke. I wouldn’t have been that bold, and it must have been an exhilarating and somewhat freeing experience.” Willow said this with a touch of reverence. “And better to have been a classier joint than some seedy biker bar.”
“I don’t discriminate. If the bikers can pay, they can play.” Brooke ran her hands up and down her body like a magician’s reveal.
All toasted the sentiment.
“So, I kind of feel terrible for saying this,” Alex blurted out, “but I honestly hope someone is stalking you.”
“And for god’s sake, I pray it’s not my husband,” Emily said, burying her face in her hands.
“Cheers to that,” said Willow, who took a lengthy swig of her drink.
“I never said that the stalker lives on Alton Road,” said Brooke.
Alex felt a chill. The way Brooke said it made her think that was exactly where the stalker resided.
What if it was Ken? Alex didn’t think her brother-in-law’s extracurricular activities involved stalking, but she had caught him in the shadows behind Mandy’s house.
“It doesn’t matter who it is,” Brooke said in a way that downplayed the seriousness of her allegation. “I’m handling it.”
“So that’s not a lie?” asked Emily a bit dimly.
Brooke sent Emily a come-on-now look. “Do you really think I murdered my husband and decided to come out as a killer at girls’ night?”
Alex swallowed a gulp. Brooke’s snarky retort hadn’t dispelled all doubt.
“What kind of stalking are we talking about?” asked Willow.
“Honestly, I’d rather not go into details,” Brooke said. “Like I said, I’m handling it.”
Everyone sat with the unease provoked by the thought of a stalker in the neighborhood. It was quiet enough that Alex could hear ice cubes knocking together as she tipped the margarita glass to her lips.
Eventually it was Emily who again broke the heavy silence.
“I’ll go next,” she said boldly, but a bit apprehensively, too. “Let me see, thinking … thinking.”
After a few moments of nothing happening, Willow started to hum the theme music to Jeopardy! and everyone soon joined in.
“Don’t pressure me,” Emily pleaded, but the humming continued, getting increasingly louder.
Alex couldn’t imagine what her sister might drum up. Emily was pretty straitlaced—a bit uptight, certainly not one to reveal her dark secrets even if she had them. Alex expected something quite benign.
After another minute, Emily was ready. “Okay, here we go,” she said, clapping her hands together. “I once dated a girl. I’ve been arrested for drunk driving. And I hired a private investigator to spy on my husband.”
So much for benign, thought Alex.
Brooke’s eyes widened with delighted surprise, while Willow’s held a new degree of respect. Alex refrained from blurting out the lie, which she knew without equivocation. Of course Emily had spied on Ken—he deserved nothing less—and the girl’s name was Leanne.
“You’re too smart to drink and drive,” Willow said as she probed Emily with the keen eye of a seasoned detective. “So even though I can’t picture it, I’m guessing you had a girlfriend … and that you also spied on your husband.”
“I agree,” Brooke said.
“Alex, what’s your guess?” Willow asked.
“She can’t guess, she already knows,” said Emily. “And you got it right on the first try. I’m obviously pretty transparent.”
Willow’s whole face lit up. “I’d say you making out with a girl is pretty unexpected … and also kind of hot,” she said. “What was her name? More to the point, is she still into girls? After Evan, I’m not sure I can stand the sight of another penis.”
This gave everyone a good laugh.
“Well, I’m glad to know you weren’t arrested,” Brooke said. “But I hope whoever you hired to spy on Ken didn’t find anything worth reporting.”
“I’ve made my peace with it,” said Emily, her words slurring slightly. “Ken owned up to what he did. He was extremely remorseful, and we dove into counseling.”
“So you just forgave him?” Willow sounded incredulous.
“We all have the potential to grow and change,” Emily said. “We weren’t being intimate for some time before it happened.”
Like Nick and I aren’t being intimate, thought Alex.
“Sounds like you’re blaming yourself for what he did?” Willow made a show of her disapproval.
“No, not at all,” Emily answered. “But it’s not all black-and-white. He could have been an unfaithful husband, and I could have contributed to problems in the marriage. Both things can be true. We’d grown apart, and honestly, Ken’s affair brought us closer together. It can happen, you know—forgiveness and all.”
“Well, I for one am in awe,” said Brooke. “And my respect for you has increased tenfold. Forgiveness does not come easy.”
“Amen to that,” said Willow.
“I think we’ve all bought into the narrative that relationships have to be a certain way.” Brooke set her drink on a coaster. “Love should be funneled into the perfect and very narrow path of matrimony. And then we expect our spouse to be everything to us and for us—care for us when we’re sick, lift us up when we’re down, be our best friend, be charming and witty, a great cook and great in bed. It’s too much pressure, and it’s not realistic. We’re human, and we make mistakes. Good for you for understanding that it’s much more complicated than all that.” Brooke rose and came to Emily’s side, bending down to give her a big hug. “That said, men can be real shits.” She gave the room a wry smile.
“This is getting a bit intense,” said Willow, who wobbled when she stood to offer Emily a hug of her own. “Alex, it’s your turn.”
Alex felt unmoored and not the least bit interested in sharing anything as personal as what Emily and Brooke had divulged. Lost in thought, she realized everyone was looking at her expectantly.
“Okay,” she announced, “here goes. I’m left-handed. I’ve never been to Disneyland. And my parents wouldn’t let me date until I was seventeen.”
Willow playacted a loud yawn. “Girl, we are going deep here,” she said. “I don’t care which one of those is a lie. They’re all dull. I demand a do-over.”
“Second that,” said Brooke.
“Third,” said Emily. “You can do better, Sis. And there’s a picture of your family at Disney on the mantel.”
“That’s Disney World,” Alex said, with a scathing stare that was really for show.
“And Mom and Dad didn’t care when you dated, because you were too shy to date anybody until college,” Emily said.
“I still say that’s your warm-up round,” Willow said. “We want more. This is our true-confession night now. We’ve got a stalker and a cheater. What’s your big secret?”
Alex didn’t know what to share, wasn’t sure she had anything fitting a big reveal, but then it came to her. Before better judgment could get in the way, she gave three other possibilities, only one of which was a lie.
“Nick and I once had sex in a McDonald’s bathroom,” Alex began. “We took magic mushrooms together. And I had three miscarriages after Lettie was born.”
Emily scoffed. “That’s too easy. Obviously, you’re lying about the miscarriages—a bit bizarre, but whatever. We’re all drunk, or at least on the way there.”
“Why are you so certain?” Brooke inquired.
“Because I’m her sister. I’d have known if she’d miscarried—multiple times at that.”
“You’re quite sure of yourself,” said Willow before directing her attention over to Alex, who maintained a placid expression.
Emily leaned forward in her seat. “Alex? Really?”
Brooke cocked her head slightly to one side before announcing that she thought the bathroom sex was the lie.
“I agree,” said Willow. “There are so many better places for a kinky outing. And if you have any more of those magic mushrooms lying about, you better share.”
“Is it true?” Emily said to Alex as if she hadn’t heard the others. “Did you have three miscarriages?”
Alex returned a solemn nod. She could feel her arms grow heavy as if the weight of that grief had come rushing back all at once. Water flooded her eyes. Oh shit. She hadn’t been prepared to share such a scarring experience, not with everyone. What the hell was I thinking?
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” Emily said.
“It felt very personal at the time,” said Alex. “It still does.”
Emily was looking like she was the one who’d suffered a loss.
“Nick and I both wanted more children, but I couldn’t keep trying. After three losses it just seemed like we were meant to be a family of three, and by the time I again thought, okay, another child would be nice, I felt too old to explore IVF or adoption. We settled into our routine, and that was that.”
“But why wouldn’t you have told me?” Emily pressed. “I’m your sister. I love you. That’s something I should have known, don’t you think?”
“Well, at the time, no,” Alex answered. “I didn’t think anybody needed to know. I didn’t want anybody’s pity, especially yours. You were going through a rough patch with Ken as it was. Besides, I didn’t want you to treat me differently, so I kept it private. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. Maybe I should have. Honestly, I’ve compartmentalized that part of my life. I had to, in order to move on.”
The first miscarriage had been the worst experience of her life—and then it happened again, and again after that. Three in a row, all of them spontaneous, a heavy period that ushered in profound bouts of sadness. She’d cried her tears to Nick and no one else.
“You sure picked a fine time for a big share,” Emily said a bit tersely. She finished the last of her drink, her aspect softening. “I just wish I could have been a support for you.”
“Oh, you two need to hug it out,” Brooke said. “I wish my sister wanted to live next door to me. She doesn’t even live in the same country, and we talk maybe three, four times a year. Don’t let this come between you.”
“Agreed,” Willow said.
Emily stayed rooted in her chair, but Brooke wasn’t backing down. “Hug,” she demanded.
With some trepidation, Alex rose and approached her sister with open arms. It took a bit for Emily to relent, but eventually she caved in to the embrace.
Even after they broke apart, Emily looked a bit shaken. “Does Mom know?” she asked.
“No,” said Alex. “Dad had just died when we had the first loss. When the next loss came, it felt wrong to bring up the first. Besides, you know Mom. She’d have said something unhelpful like, ‘Just keep trying,’ as if that’s all there was to it.”
“No more keeping secrets from me,” Emily said in a scolding tone. “I’m your sister, and I love you tremendously.”
“I love you, too,” said Alex. “My next crisis, I promise I’ll let you suffer right along with me.”
“Hear, hear.” Brooke raised her glass in a toast. “Here’s to owning our truths.”
“To our truths,” Willow said before taking a drink. “And now for mine.”
Everyone settled back in their respective seats, all eyes on Willow.
“I’ve had time to think about what to say,” she said. “So here goes. I never signed a prenup. Evan isn’t Riley’s father. And I’d kill Evan if I could get away with murder, because it’s the only way I won’t be left broke after my divorce.”
Alex was floored. “Willow, I’ve read your prenup,” she said. “You asked me to read it.”
“Well then,” said Willow, “I guess that’s the lie.”
Memorial Day (Present Day)
Meadowbrook Online Community Page
Susanne Horton
I bet I know who’s dead.
Laura Ballwell
I think it is inappropriate to be making guesses. There’s obviously a tragedy on Alton Road. Somebody has been murdered, for goodness sakes!
Reply from Susanne Horton
Last I checked it’s not against the law to have a theory.
Reply from Ed Callahan
Right on that! Everything is policed these days. Ever hear of free speech?
Ross Weinbrenner
So who’s dead, Susanne Horton??
Reply from Susanne Horton
The Bug Man.
Janet Pinkham
Oh, the bugs are such a problem, I agree!! I’ve had more ants this spring than last year. Does anyone know why that might be?
Reply from Ed Callahan
Ant Viagra? ha-ha
Reply from Joseani Wilkins
SMH.
Christine Doddy
Who the hell is the Bug Man?
Regina Arthur
Is that the guy who goes door to door selling his exterminating service? If so, he told me he had just sprayed my neighbor’s place, and if I didn’t get the same service too, the bugs would end up at my house and possibly eat the foundation, or so he said. I don’t take to bullies kindly. So I told him where he could spray his bug stuff! The nerve! Was he pulling that stunt on Alton Road? If so, I’m not surprised somebody did him in.
Reply from Katherine Leavitt
OMG, Regina! You sound glad the Bug Man might be dead!
Reply from Henry St. John
Lighten up, Katherine Leavitt. That Bug Man banged on my door very violently the other night, scared my wife and me nearly half to death. He should tone down his approach.
Reply from Ed Callahan
Maybe I’m missing something, but I thought good salespeople ARE aggressive? OH, he KNOCKED HARD! He hurt my feelings!! What a bunch of wimps. You don’t like salesmen coming to your door, put up a no-solicitation sign or call someone who cares.
Reply from Henry St. John
You weren’t there, Ed! So why don’t you stop judging and go crawl back under the rock where you came from.
Laura Ballwell
Why do you think it’s Bug Man, Susanne Horton?
Reply from Susanne Horton
I know for a fact that Ken Adair was very unhappy with his sales tactics. He complained and got the guy fired. And I know Bug Man showed up at the Altonites’ block party … Just saying I’ve seen Ken Adair at the shooting range on several occasions. All I can say is, if that guy sets his sights, he isn’t going to miss.
Reply from Ross Weinbrenner
That’s an interesting theory. But I’ve heard plenty of stories about the Altonites, and the only thing those people have more of than money are reasons to do each other in.