Home Is Where the Bodies Are

Beth is shocked to recognize the dead girl in the video: a neighbor named Emma Harper. She is also the 12-year-old sister of Beth’s former boyfriend, Lucas. Beth recalls that the entire town searched for Emma when she went missing in 1999, and now reflects that “[n]o one knew what happened to Emma Harper, except my parents” (82). The girl disappeared on the day of the Allen’s Grove summer festival. Laura was the chief organizer of the event.

Her three children view the videotape with a mixture of dismay and disbelief. They argue about the next steps and aren’t sure whether the Harpers should be told what happened or whether it would make any difference now. Their argument is cut short by a knock on the door.

When Beth answers, she is greeted by her old boyfriend, Lucas, who has returned to town to look after his aged mother. Knowing about Laura’s death, he came to offer his condolences. On impulse, Beth invites Lucas to join her on a walk the following morning, and Lucas accepts. As teens, they used to go on morning runs together in the nature preserve.