said Alicia, noting the road sign through the windshield CHAPTER EIGHT (I) Haley took her time cruising along Marble Lane, passing houses while neighbors she’d never met walked their dogs, or finished up yard duties before it got dark. Kids were playing, relishing the cooler temperatures of evening. Houses were spread out through the trees, scattered and secluded. She knew none of their owners by name. Sure, they would acknowledge each other with waves and smiles, but other than Joel’s friend Ethan, she didn’t really know anyone on this side of Marble Lane, including Ethan’s family. And she was just fine with it remaining that way. As she neared her driveway on the other side of Marble Lane, she spotted her next door neighbors’ daughter Tonya, and about the only family she was friendly with, checking the mail. She wore cut-off jeans, the straps of her bikini bottoms curved above the waist band and over her hips. Instead of a shirt, a thin bikini top that was basically just nipple patches barely covered her breasts. Haley felt embarrassed just looking at her. Tonya waved, her hand stacked with mail.
