Neighborhood Watch (18 page)

“Sort of the survival of the conformist, natural selection?”

“What? Are you joking again? I can never tell with you.”

“No, I’m not joking. Thanks for the help with baby-sitters.”

“When am I going to hear one of your songs?”

“When I write one. I’ve been a bit distracted these last few weeks.”

“Don’t forget to call.”

“I’ll tell the little bird when I have one ready for you to hear,” Kristin said and Jean laughed.

“You’re such a kidder.”

She sat thinking for a few moments, wondering about Angela Del Marco. It had to have been quite a traumatic experience for her—men breaking into her house while she was in the tub. Why wouldn’t her husband be more sympathetic and just as angry about it?

“So?” Teddy said coming into the kitchen.

“I’ve got two names. Four-star reviews by . . . you guessed it, Nikki Stanley, who

personally evaluates gardeners, pool maintenance people, house cleaners, plumbers,

electricians, doctors, dentists, car mechanics, dry cleaners—”

“All right,” Teddy said laughing. “I get the point.”

“Jean says the Del Marcos might be selling.”

“Oh?” He looked away quickly.

“Did you hear anything, Teddy?”

“Yeah, something like that. But from what I’ve been told, if it happens, it’s best for the development.”

“What do you mean, from what you’ve been told? Who told you?”

“Well, I was waiting to tell you at dinner,” he said smiling.

“Tell me what, Teddy Morris?”

“Can’t I tell you later, after we’ve both relaxed with a few drinks?”

She tilted her head.

“It’s not like you, keeping secrets.”

“I’m not keeping secrets. I’m just choosing a fun time to tell you something. But if you insist . . .”

“All right. I’ll play along. Let’s see about the baby-sitter.”

She called the Thomas girl who politely informed her she was booked and got her

bookings a full week in advance.

“Really?” Kristin said. “I’ll keep that in mind next time. Thank you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Morris.”

Polite little bitch, Kristin thought and dialed Laurie Porter’s number only to hear the same story.

“I guess I’m going to have to drop a star,” she muttered and returned to the directory. She had to drop two stars before she found a baby-sitter who was available on such short notice. Her name was Melissa Erickson. After Kristin booked her, she wondered if she had made a mistake. After all, Melissa had only two stars. She phoned Jean again.

“I couldn’t get Steffi or Laurie. In fact, I had to go down the list until I got Melissa Erickson who has only two stars.”

“Oh, sorry,” Jean said.

“What does that mean? She’s not the original bad seed or anything, is she?”

“Oh, no. She’s younger, only fourteen, and has less experience, but she has no demerits as far as I know,” Jean said. “She’ll do fine. I’ll call you tomorrow for an evaluation, all right?”

“You mean, my opinion might get her another star?”

“It might,” Jean said laughing. Then she turned serious. “Or it might drop her a star.”

“Oh, such responsibility. I don’t know if I can handle it. Sure, call me,” she said.

“Thanks.”

What am I doing? she asked herself sharply as soon as she hung up the phone. Relying on the opinions of that female Napoleon, Nikki Stanley? How easily we all fall into line, she thought.

The Erickson girl was a pretty blond with sweet, friendly, warm blue eyes and dimples in her cheeks. Jennifer liked her immediately, especially when she told her she, too, had an aquarium.

Teddy told her the name of the restaurant and said he would leave the number by the phone.

“You don’t have to do that, Doctor Morris,” she reminded him. “If we need any

assistance of any kind, I simply have to call security. They usually know where you are or how to reach you. It’s part of the Neighborhood Watch program. Before anyone can baby-sit in Emerald Lakes, he or she has to know the rules for baby-sitters. The homeowners association made us a little booklet.”

“Right. Well, if you want to ask us a question, it’s all right to call without going through the security people,” Teddy said, eyeing Kristin.

They kissed Jennifer good-bye and left.

Kristin really hadn’t gotten dressed up since their arrival at Emerald Lakes. Anticipating some special occasion soon, she had bought herself a new dress early in the week. She splurged and bought a scooped neck Donna Karan cashmere. She hadn’t told Teddy,

deciding to surprise him with it instead. He didn’t comment, however, until they were in their car backing out of the garage.

“Might I say, you look spectacular tonight.”

“You like my dress?”

“Love it.” He smiled. “It’s new, right?”

“Observant for an eye specialist, aren’t you?” she said.

He turned to her and smiled with deliberate licentiousness.

“It’s beautiful, but only because it’s on you.”

“Even though my tummy’s starting to show?”

“Looks delectable,” he said and leaned over to kiss her stomach before turning to go up the street. She laughed and he shot away, only to hit the brakes right before the speed bump. “Always forget these damn things.”

“Careful, Teddy. These are four-star speed bumps.”

He shook his head. When they reached the gate, Spier stepped out of the booth with his clipboard.

“Tell him we’re going to see an X-rated movie. See what he does.”

“He wouldn’t care. We’re going to Martino’s in Goshen. Need the number?”

“No, sir. Have a good time,” Spier said and returned to the booth to open the gate.

“I know it irks you to tell them where we’re going, but just think how fast we could be reached should there be an emergency,” Teddy said. “It’s a tradeoff, but the result is well worth it, don’t you think?”

“I suppose, but it will always irk me,” she said.

After they were seated in the restaurant and after Teddy had ordered champagne and they had their first toast, Kristin finally demanded he reveal his secret.

Teddy smiled.

“Well, it seems Larry Sommers is overwhelmed with work and has to resign from the

board of trustees of Emerald Lakes.”

“Poor man,” Kristin said. “And he looked like he was enjoying himself so much, too.”

“Stop it,” Teddy said, a little sharper than she expected. “He’s got some personal

financial problems and he has to devote more time to his work, but I’m sure he regrets not being able to sit on the board. It’s a great honor and a big responsibility. This is expensive real estate we’re protecting.”

“You mean an honor in the same sense it’s an honor to be a doctor, or a father, or a lover?” she replied undaunted.

“Everything has its own value and importance,” Teddy said.

“What does this have to do with us, Teddy?”

He sat back.

“Philip Slater called me this morning. Before I saw my first patient, in fact.”

“And . . .”

“Offered me the spot.”

“Spot?”

“Trustee.”

She stared nonplussed for a moment.

“I thought that was an elected position,” she said softly.

“It is. Larry’s resigning and Philip Slater can appoint someone to fill out his term, after which, I would run for the office. Assuming anyone runs against me, that is. Well?”

Kristin just sat there speechless.

“You don’t look happy about it. You know what a tribute it is for a new resident to be asked to join the board of trustees?”

“Does this mean we get back Mr. Sniffles?” she asked sharply.

His smile faded.

“Why did you get asked, Teddy? Is it some sort of a reward for accepting the board’s finding after our appeal?”

“No. I think Mr. Slater likes us and believes we will make ideal residents of Emerald Lakes. I think,” he continued in a deliberate, reasonable, if not a bit condescending tone,

“he is impressed with my success at the group and the way other doctors and patients have received me. Sometimes, people see my potential and are impressed,” he concluded.

She softened.

“I didn’t mean you don’t deserve it. I’m sure you would be the best trustee they have. It just seemed strange for you to be asked. We don’t even know all the residents yet and they don’t know us except through the directory.”

“Which is something I want to change immediately. It’s too impersonal a method.

Look,” he said after sighing, “we’re both upset with some of the things that have gone on in the development. We can bitch about them at home or we can try to do something to change things, and what better opportunity will we have to change things than my being a part of the governing board?”

“As long as they don’t change you,” she warned.

“Come on, Kristin. It’s a bit disappointing to find strangers have more faith in your capabilities than your own wife.”

“It’s not your capabilities I’m doubting, Teddy. It’s just that after my experience with the board, I feel like you’re joining the enemy. I’m sorry.”

“I know how you feel about that and that’s why I want to do this. We can’t live there and think of the board as our enemy. It has to be our board and we’ve got to become a part of everything.”

She nodded. Then she looked up and smiled.

“To the success of Emerald Lakes’ newest and best trustee,” she said, raising her glass.

They clicked glasses and drank. Then Kristin laughed. “I wonder what Nikki Stanley’s going to say when she finds out.”

“Don’t you think she knows already?” Teddy asked. Kristin thought and then nodded.

“Yes, but she’s holding back on assigning your stars until she gets a full evaluation.”

Teddy shook his head and laughed.

“You’re impossible.”

“Which is why you love me,” she said.

They ordered their food and Kristin talked about some of the things she wanted to do to change the house and make it feel more like their home.

“I see you’ve really been thinking it out,” Teddy said, impressed.

“Every day. I just want to shake off the feeling I’m wearing someone else’s clothes, especially after what happened to the Feinbergs.”

“I understand. Sure. Let’s go forward. We’ll be living in this house for quite a while.”

“Which reminds me. What does all this have to do with the Del Marcos, Teddy?”

“Philip was telling me about their problems. Steve Del Marco sells insurance and

apparently, he’s lost some big accounts recently. That, plus his wife’s ongoing wars with the Neighborhood Watch have put strains on their relationship.” Teddy leaned over to whisper. “There are no divorced people living in Emerald Lakes. Have you noticed that?”

“No, I didn’t think about it.”

“Well, it’s true, and in this day and age when one out of two marriages ends in divorce, that’s quite an accomplishment.”

“How is it accomplished?” she asked.

“Simple,” he said. “The board never approves a buyer who’s single and the board has the right to reject buyers, as you know from reading the CC and R’s.”

“Isn’t that unconstitutional?”

Teddy shrugged.

“No one’s taken them to court or tried to except . . .”

“Except who, Teddy?” she asked. He looked like he regretted the way the champagne

had loosened his tongue and had bitten down on his lip to stifle the words. “Except who?”

“Sol Feinberg,” he said and it was as if the fetus in her womb had retreated from the very idea of entering the world that waited. Her stomach churned, just as the food was brought to their table.

“But let’s not bring up anything unpleasant tonight, Kristin. Let’s enjoy. Please,” he cajoled.

She nodded, swallowed the myriad of questions that bubbled at the surface of her mind, and tried to regain her appetite.

“More champagne?”

“Yes,” she said. “More champagne.”

The next morning after Teddy had left for work and she had sent Jennifer off to school, Kristin sat finishing her second cup of coffee and thinking about some of the things Teddy had told her at dinner the night before. She put her coffee cup and saucer in the sink and then, impulsively spun around and marched out of her house and up the street to the Del Marco residence. She rang the doorbell and waited, gazing back to see if anyone was watching her.

Why do I feel so guilty about visiting one of my neighbors? she wondered.

It took so long for Angela Del Marco to answer the door, Kristin nearly turned away and walked home. Angela was dressed in the same robe and slippers she had been dressed in when Kristin rang her doorbell after seeing the security man break into her house, but now, Angela’s hair looked even more disheveled. This close to her, Kristin also noted the woman’s bloodshot eyes and the deep tension lines in her face. She looked drugged,

exhausted.

“I’m sorry,” Kristin said. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Wake me?” Angela laughed. “Who sleeps anymore?” She smirked. “Are you here to

borrow a cup of sugar?”

“Look,” Kristin said. “I’m sorry I didn’t see what you wanted me to have seen that day. I didn’t get from the rear to the front of our houses quickly enough, but . . .”

“But?”

“I’d like to be friends with you.”

“Why?” Angela demanded.

And I thought I was becoming paranoid, Kristin thought.

“Because I understand you’ve challenged the homeowners association before and now

you’ve made charges against the security people.”

“And that makes you want to be friends with me?” Angela asked with an amused smile.

Kristin nodded.

“They wouldn’t let you keep the dog,” Angela said, concluding. “Did Phil Slater send you a bird in a cage?”

“No. Aquarium.”

“Oh. Right. It was time for fish.” She wiped her right hand through her straggly hair. “I don’t always look like this,” she added. “Sometimes, I look worse.” Kristin laughed and Angela stepped back. “Come on in,” she said, “but I have to warn you, you’re associating with a malcontent, and malcontents in Emerald Lakes are like lepers.”

“Somehow,” Kristin said, “I think that makes you one of the more interesting people here.”

Angela led her down the long entryway to the kitchen. It was twice the length of