The Man Next Door

“I can’t do this,” she went on, a turbulence underneath her words. “It’s all a mistake. Bringing you here and pretending everything is normal. In this house, of all places—” She broke off abruptly. Slipping past him, she went back inside.

He stood on the veranda another second or two. Maybe he thought if he stayed out here, she’d return to him. That was wishful thinking of course, the kind of thing he should have left behind a long time ago.

Finally he walked back into that lofty, oddly bare living room. There was minimal furniture scattered about, and he supposed it was the kind of place where architectural details were supposed to take precedence: exposed ceiling beams, high arched windows, carved moldings. The overall effect was that of a drafty church with too few worshipers. The Bennetts remained in their separate little clusters, but again faces turned toward him in interest; Diane Bennett looked particularly alert. No doubt they were speculating about what he and Kim had been doing on the veranda. He couldn’t say he cared.

Kim had taken up a position alone some distance from the others. She didn’t do anything to minimize her solitary status, didn’t pretend to be looking at the paintings on the walls, didn’t indulge in any other ruse to appear occupied. She just stood there, back straight and chin up, holding her small black bag as if it were a weapon. She couldn’t have made it clearer that she wished to go on being solitary. A reluctant admiration stirred in Michael. She might as well have been wearing a sign that read No Bennetts Allowed. But did the warning extend to him? He walked over to her. The stern expression on her face told him she still regretted inviting him.

“Lively party,” he remarked. “When does the conga line start?”

His stab at humor obviously didn’t impress her. “Sophie has her own way of doing things,” she said. “I wish you had some way to entertain yourself, Michael.”

“I’m entertained.”

She gave him one of her skeptical looks. “I’m sure you’d much rather be home working on your novel.”

“I’m a little stuck,” he said. In a manner of speaking, that was true.

“I’ve heard about writer’s block. Is that your problem?” She glanced at her watch as if hoping he wouldn’t answer.

“I’m having trouble with my storyline.”

“Really.” She didn’t look sympathetic.

“My heroine won’t open up much. She keeps everything bottled up inside. Anger. frustration…who knows what else. She’s hard to get to know.”

He saw the flush that made Kim’s freckles so beguiling. She gazed back at him steadily. “Maybe you should write yourself another heroine.”

“No. Sorry.won’t do. This one’s too intriguing.”

“But you’re not getting anywhere with her,” Kim said.

“Not yet.”

A flicker of some unnamable emotion showed in her eyes. But neither one of them had a chance to say anything more. Coming toward them was the second set of Bennetts: a fortyish couple, the man distinguished in bearing, the woman a pale blonde—too pale, maybe, her prettiness seeming almost bleached away.

“Hello, Kim,” said the woman, smiling a little hesitantly. “I’m glad you came tonight. You know I hate it when I’m the only wife—” She stopped, looking flustered, but then rushed on. “I mean, I’m glad you came. You haven’t been over to visit in so long, and the kids are always asking about you—after all, you’re their favorite aunt….” Her voice trailed off uncomfortably.

“I miss seeing the kids, too,” Kim said, although her tone was guarded. “Norie, Thad, I’d like you to meet Michael Turner—”

“Mother’s new tenant,” finished the man, shaking hands solemnly with Michael. The family resemblance was once again unmistakable; it seemed that Sophie had imprinted herself irrevocably on each of her children. Thad Bennett, however, possessed a preoccupied manner, as if too many important concerns filled his mind.

“How’s the house?” he asked Michael.

“Fine.”

Apparently even this brief answer gave Thad Bennett something to ruminate on. He had the air of a man weighed down by the significance of his own thoughts. While he was busy thinking up his next approach, his wife, Norie, jumped in.

“How nice you could come tonight, Mr. Turner. These family gatherings can be so tedious. Sophie hardly ever allows any outsiders, and—” She stopped herself once more, looking dismayed. “I mean—”

“Don’t worry. I don’t mind being an outsider,” Michael said.

She gave him an embarrassed smile. “Believe it or not, Mr. Turner, I’m usually not such a blatherer. It’s just my mother-in-law’s proximity that. throws me off.”

“Norie,” said her husband on a warning note.

This, however, only seemed to inspire her. “Well, why try to hide it? None of us enjoys coming here, but we all put up a front. We ought to admit it for once.” She glanced at Kim for confirmation.

Kim shrugged. “You wouldn’t be offending Sophie. She loves to keep everyone off balance.”

“That’s it exactly,” said Norie. “She orchestrates these command performances and she won’t tell anyone what they’re about. It’s very disconcerting.”

“Norie,” her husband said with exaggerated patience.

She glanced defiantly at him. “I don’t see you standing up to her, do I?”

Kim looked beleaguered, as if she had been through scenes of this kind often before. Michael surmised that Norie and Thad Bennett were the type who had been married so long and quibbled so frequently they forgot to be restrained in the presence of other people.

“Well,” Norie said, “who knows why Sophie’s dragged us all out here tonight? I’ve been guessing, but I don’t have a clue.” When no one responded, she glanced at Kim. “Any ideas?” she asked brightly. She behaved as if it was her duty to keep the conversational ball rolling. Something about the woman seemed just a little off to Michael. One minute she gave the impression of being overly timid, the next she was on the verge of arguing with her husband—and the next she was forcing the conversation. She appeared to be trying on different roles, different attitudes, to see which one fit.

“Sophie will let us know soon enough what she wants,” Kim said after another awkward pause.

“That’s just it,” Norie said, speaking too quickly. “Sophie always wants something from us. Something that usually leaves bad feelings afterward. You’d think at least now and then she could invite us over to enjoy some family togetherness, nothing else.”

“Norie,” said her husband in a long—suffering tone, “I don’t think Mr. Turner wants to know about our family squabbles.”

“I’m sure he can speak for himself.” Norie turned her attention fully on Michael. “Mr. Turner, we could use an objective opinion. Do you find us Bennetts dull. or interesting?”

The woman had taken on yet another pose. All of a sudden she appeared subtly provocative, but with a hint of anxiety underneath. She seemed to be asking for reassurance of some type—as if she wanted Michael to tell her she wasn’t ordinary. In a way he supposed she was flirting with him. Her husband seemed to have the same impression, and he was beginning to look vaguely disturbed. As for Kim, she had arranged her features in a carefully neutral expression, and she seemed to find it necessary to check her watch again. Michael would have given a great deal to know what she was thinking at this moment.

“I’m just along for the ride tonight,” he said finally.

Norie Bennett seemed disappointed. “That’s a nonanswer, Mr. Turner. Very diplomatic, I’m sure, but I expected something more from you.”

The woman had just met him—what could she have expected? But already she was glancing about discontentedly as if seeking another audience. She no longer seemed to care whether or not the conversation kept going. And meanwhile, Thad Bennett seemed to retreat once more into the protection of his own ponderous thoughts.

Michael caught Kim’s eye and smiled a little. She didn’t smile back, although he saw that hint of turbulence in her gaze. Was she more disgusted with him or with the Bennetts? It was difficult to tell.

Just then Sophie appeared beside them—somewhat eerily, because she hadn’t made any noise, seeming to materialize out of nowhere. She proceeded to commandeer the group.

“Thad, please go call Roger and find out what’s holding him up. Kim, Norie, I’d appreciate your popping ping into the kitchen to reassure Yolanda about her soufflе. You know how she is when I have her try a new recipe. Go alоng—I’ll take care of Mr. Turner.” Sophie had deployed her troops. Thad Bennett went off toward the phone, and Norie hurried in the opposite direction. Only Kim refused to budge.

“Michael is my guest,” she said firmly. “I’ll keep him entertained.”

“No doubt,” Sophie said with the slightest hint of irony. “But he also lives in one of my houses. I have a few matters I wish to discuss with him.”

Kim waited another second or two, studying Michael doubtfully. Perhaps she decided he could handle Sophie on his own, for she gave a shrug, turned and walked away. Michael watched her. As always she moved proudly, taking her time crossing the large room, refusing to rush for anyone—even her motherin—law.

“Mr. Turner,” said Sophie, “I hadn’t expected you here tonight. Nonetheless, I commend you for working so quickly with. her.”