Charlotte's smile faded at what Bonnie said next

"I'm sorry Matt's taking the Connors' move so hard."

"He takes everything hard since Kurt died."

"I know."

"He's not bouncing back the way Hank has."

"He needs more time, Charlotte. He's older than Hank. And it's only been-"

"Eighteen months, eleven days, and twenty-two hours."

The women's eyes locked. Bonnie squeezed Charlotte's hand even harder and tried to smile.

Then in tandem, the women turned their gaze to the split-level stone and siding house at 1232 Hayden Circle. With the plastic climbing toys and the BMX bikes removed from the lawn, Charlotte thought the house next door looked downright glamorous-and a little lonely.

She glanced at the red sold sticker slapped across the real estate sign, proof that LoriSue Bettmyer had successfully closed another deal.

"Any more dirt on who bought the house?" Bonnie gave Charlotte a sidelong glance. "Because I've got to say that LoriSue's been weirder than usual about this. Maybe a decade of bleach buildup has finally leached into her brain."

"That would explain so much."

As the two giggled like girls, Charlotte scanned the house and its sloped, painstakingly landscaped front yard. "Actually, nothing," she eventually answered. "It's strange. All the Connors said is somebody from First National signed the closing documents and the bank is listed as owner. They have no idea who is going to live here-and it's freaking me out What if some psycho moves in?"

"Then Ned will have somebody to play with!" Bonnie slid her arm around Charlotte's shoulders and guided her back toward the house.

They walked up the drive, past a neat row of yellow tulips in full bloom, past the little clumps of lilies of the valley along the front walkway, and to the front door of Charlotte's tidy two-story Colonial.