“You don’t have to justify anything,” I said. I hadn’t wanted our conversation to turn into a rehash of the past. “It was wrong, what we did. I’m sorry for my part in it.”

Greg, the few times he’d mentioned his marriage, always called it a mismatch. But I had been someone who fit with him, he’d said. The puzzle piece with just the right angles and curves.

He’d been flattering me, of course. But it was easy to remember how I’d fallen for it. Greg was charming, easy to talk to. I didn’t feel like I needed to perform for him or worry about how I was coming off.

“Stop apologizing,” Greg said. “The problems between my wife and me started long before you.”

I thought again about Alice’s Halloween block party photo—probably the last photo Jackie had taken with the Ivy Five. What if she did regret it all now? What if she did want to come back?

It’s too late, Jackie. You’re not going to ruin everything now. You had your chance.

Greg finished his coffee and got up to use the bathroom. While he was gone, I typed out a text to Kendra.

Just talked to Greg... He says Jackie’s in Europe!

My thumb hovered over the message, hesitating. A small lie, yes. But Jackie had been the one to leave. She had chosen to run away from her problems—from her child. She’d cut off those ties. Hurt Greg and Ellen. Why should she get to come back now and upset everything? She was gone, and I was here.

I sent it. Then added:

Doesn’t know when she’ll be back

Some acting thing? Doesn’t sound like she’s in touch unless she needs money.

Will fill you in later. Sorry not better news.

I hadn’t known Jackie Hendricks very well. I’d only seen her a few times, during our monthly class get-togethers at Greg’s house, where she’d often make a quick appearance and then disappear. But the more I learned about her, the more I was of the opinion she should stay far, far away. It was best for everyone.

HALLOWEEN

The moms relax once the trick-or-treaters get their fill, once it’s just the Ivy Woods neighbors remaining at the party. Their kiddos are with the babysitter. They take seats around the fire. Pour drinks. Slowly, their chairs move closer together. The Ivy Five segregate themselves. They have things to discuss, wounds to lick. They are so close, and it’s so dark, that it’s hard to tell them apart.

“I’ve never trusted him,” Alice whispers.

“I just can’t believe he’d do this to me,” says Jackie.

“He can’t,” says Bettina in a thick voice, so thick you could cut it with a saber. “We won’t let him.”