They buy a house when they move to New Jersey with their 2 young children and one on the way. It is almost ancient, built in 1802, though not quite as old as the stately Dutch Colonials in their town which actually have plaques outside stating “George Washington Slept Here”. It is kind of old and crummy with low ceilings, but it has a ton of places to play and hide and the kids love it. They put two additions on the house which make it really strange and not in character with the original house at all. The old house on Baylor Ave — everyone knew it.
One of the daughters is watching TV in her parents’ bedroom, something she is allowed to do. It smells a bit like rose perfume, baby powder but is overshadowed by lots of lavender sachets. The room has a king size bed, two dressers, two closets and the father’s antique desk with Playboy magazines, placed inside the desk upside down with the cigarette ads facing up. They are supposed to be hidden but literally everyone knows they are there.
Her mother comes in with her elderly friend and they wish to speak with her. “Wally says he has something to say to you,” the mother tells her daughter. Wally tells the daughter he is very sorry, that he shouldn’t have touched her like that, that it wasn’t right. He says he is sorry a few more times. The girl just sits there not making eye contact with anyone. The mother says, “You should forgive him. It sounds like he means it.” After some time, the girl looks at her molester in the eye and says, “it’s ok.”
