" Mom shakes her head, stands up and moves towards the door. Lauren slumps down against the bed with a disappointed sigh.Mom hesitates at the door. Lo...king back at Lauren, she closes the door and pulls her sleep shirt over her head. "No one knows about this... ever," she says as she peels down her panties and joins her daughter on the bed."My lips are sealed, mom," Lauren says as the two women embrace. "I love you." I love you, too," Mom says. "This isn't in the mothering manual, you know," she. Nikki interviewed several of the neighbors but it seemed that Helen Connors was somewhat of a recluse, straying from home only long enough to do necessary shopping. She doted on her son (did she ever) and was a mousey doormat to her husband who everyone agreed was unfaithful but hardly the violent type. There just didnʼt seem to be anyone who knew her well, certainly not well enough to kill her.“There has to be a connection between these two women,” insisted Linda.“I agree,” replied Sheila,“but. “Girls, let your brother up, and introduce yourselves.”The girls looked around and noticed all the people watching them. They were unabashed as they got to their feet. Both Aleena and Alexis extended their hands to Jonathan to help him to his feet.“Thanks. I ... uh ... don’t know what to call any of you.”“That’s ok. I’m Lucille. Aleena is to your left, and Alexis is to your right,” she said, gesturing to both.“Nice to meet you, Lucille, Aleena and Alexis. Please forgive me if I mess up each of. Be everything you ever wanted to be." Right," Jake said. "Right."He sat alone in his room. It was dark outside, and there was no laughter from the windows now. The lights were on, bathing the walls and floor in acerbic neon. In his bathroom you could sit on the toilet and take a shower at the same time—there wasno stall, just fixtures in the wall and a drain on the floor and a curtain to protect the toilet and sink from too much splashing. When he'd moved in here he'd wondered if you could fit.