Boorish & Natasha

I used to think we were just another ordinary suburban family. You know the type—quiet, hardworking, polite. I waved when we passed neighbors. Said "good morning" out of courtesy.

I didn't hang out with them in their pools.

I didn't sit in the driveway with them drinking beer.

I didn't go over for afternoon cocktails or late night games .

I was quiet, kept my head down and tried to stay in my lane.

So it always struck me as strange—why were we constantly the subject of neighborhood gossip? I wasn’t close to anyone here. Barely knew their names. Yet somehow, the whispers found their way back to me.

I went to and from work.

I walked my dogs everyday.

I worked out in the garage but never, ever engaged.

Not long after we moved in. It started almost immediately, with a cheerful knock on the door from our next-door neighbor—Marlene Dolion.

She introduced herself (as Natasha) with a bright smile and warm compliments about my kids... then, within minutes, accused our dogs of keeping her up all night. I told her they were inside - in our bedroom for goodness sake. She then said, with a laugh, "Well, my husband said he was going to kill them."

I stood there stunned, trying to make sense of how fast the conversation turned. How fast everything turned.

That moment should have been my warning.

But it was just the beginning.