A Good Neighborhood

Brad is charming, and many of the people who live in Oak Knoll feel honored that he chose to move to the area. They want to get to know him and his family, and Julia is invited to the next book club.

The Whitmans follow a daily routine, with the parents rising early. Julia cooks breakfast while Brad gets himself ready for the day and leaves for work. Juniper struggles to find her school shoes, and Julia says that she will organize Juniper’s room. Julia gives Juniper space, but she is concerned about Juniper’s moodiness. She also worries that Juniper is ungrateful for everything Brad has provided because Juniper was unhappy with the move to Oak Knoll.

Julia appreciates the new house, and she is grateful that she has the time to get everything in order. Before marrying Brad, Julia lived in poverty. She went to work for Brad after she was fired from her job at a mattress store where her boss repeatedly pressured her for sex. Brad was a charming and attentive boss. He invited Julia to dinner after he met Juniper at his company picnic, and during dinner, he proposed. Julia accepted, although her mother, Lottie, warned her not to move too fast.