The Golden Couple

The narrative shifts to Marissa’s third-person perspective. It’s the next day. The previous night, Matthew was unable to identify anyone from the lineup. Matthew is home from work, recovering, and Marissa checks on him. Matthew tells her: “I’ve done a lot of soul-searching these past few days. I want to be a better husband to you. And dad to Bennett. When I woke up in the ambulance, it was all I could think about” (245-46). Marissa tells Matthew that Bennett doesn’t want to play baseball. Matthew takes the news surprisingly well. Matthew reveals that he’s been thinking a lot about this own father lately, which surprises Marissa: “Matthew never wants to discuss his father [Chris]” (247).

It’s revealed that Matthew’s father was from a blue-collar family. Now a successful DC lobbyist, Chris was able to give Matthew a privileged life. Despite Matthew’s success, Chris seems to despise him. Marissa recalls a time when Chris visited them and his car broke down; Matthew called a mechanic, while Chris insisted on trying to fix the car himself: “You can’t outsource everything in life, Chris had said. Though I guess you’re used to having other people clean up after your messes” (249).

Later, it’s revealed that the “mess” Chris is referring to is Tina’s murder. Matthew’s mother lied for him when he was a teenager, giving him an alibi so that he wouldn’t get caught for it.

The narrative returns to Avery’s first-person perspective. Avery confronts Polly, trying to find out what else Polly knows about the Bishops. Polly reveals that a strange man called Coco twice in the past week looking for Marissa, and that there have also been a lot of hang-up calls. Polly also tells Avery that Marissa lied about the video footage from the store; Marissa said the footage had been wiped clean, but it actually showed the unhoused man, Ray, dropping off the note. Avery realizes that Marissa is withholding information from her: “Anger sweeps through me; she conned me. Again” (256). Avery even speculates that Marissa never had an affair but staged one to get attention from her husband. However, Avery is also suspicious of Polly; during their meeting, Avery notices that Polly is wearing the same perfume as Marissa.

The narrative shifts to Marissa’s third-person perspective. Marissa arrives at Coco. Like Avery, Marissa is increasingly suspicious of Polly. When Marissa stopped by Polly’s flat and met her roommate, the roommate mentioned that Polly had a real estate job. Natalie is a realtor. Marissa wonders if there’s a connection. Marissa plans to start interviewing candidates to replace Polly. After work, Marissa goes to a spa to get a massage—a gift from Matthew and Bennett.

Avery has been trying to reach Marissa with no luck; Avery is determined to get the identity of Marissa’s ex-lover. Meanwhile, Avery is busy with a new client, “Rose.” Halfway through their first session, Avery realizes that Rose is from Acelia: “Despite her implicit threat, I’m certain Rose came here not to harm me, but to try to strike a deal—money in exchange for the name of who gave me the information” (270). Avery decides that she will no longer meet first-time clients at home.

The narrative shifts to Marissa’s third-person perspective. She’s getting her massage. Marissa finds it difficult to relax during the massage. In the wake of Matthew’s assault, she’s worried about her family. When Marissa can’t get ahold of Matthew, she cuts the massage short and hurries home. As she arrives home, she’s accosted by Avery.

The narrative returns to Avery’s first-person point of view. This is Avery’s sixth session: “Confrontation.” Avery, annoyed that Marissa has been ignoring her calls, accosts Marissa outside of the Bishops’ home and insists on going in with her. Inside, Avery and Marissa find Matthew, Bennett—and Skip. The Bishops don’t know that Avery knows Skip; Matthew introduces her: “Avery, this is one of our closest friends. Meet Skip” (281). Avery is shocked.