The Woman in the House

My husband told me I have an overactive imagination.

That I drink too much.

That I can't let go of the past.

That I make plans and cancel them.

That I never wear a jacket but then complain that I'm cold.

That sometimes I speak with a British accent

even though I'm not British.

He's right, about all of it.

That's why he left me.

Shit.

Elizabeth?

Honey, we're gonna be late for school!

We tell children so many lies.

Not to worry,

not to be afraid,

not to believe in monsters.

But why don't we tell them the truth?

There are monsters.

They're just not under the bed.

Anna.

Hi, Carol.

How are you?

Good.

Yeah?

Morning got away from me.

Mark said you never called him back to confirm.

For the date tonight.

Yeah. I don't... I don't know if tonight is gonna work.

Oh, Anna. You can't cancel the day of.

He's a big client of Scott's.

Plus, it's been three years.

At some point, you gotta move on. Right?

I know I have to. I just... I don't know how.

You put on a dress, you do your makeup.

You're too cute to be sad forever.

Okay. So you're good to go?

- Yeah, Carol. Good to go. - Great. I'll tell Scott to let him know.

Tell Mark Anna's in. Period.

Also, your shirts are in my car.

Should I take them to the cleaners or what? Question mark.

How's the mailbox coming, Buell?

It's coming, Miss Anna. She's a tricky one,

but we're getting there. Don't worry.

Same four photos.

Well, at least I'm not the only one that hasn't moved on.

We were so happy once.

Guys, do you have a, um... a box with "Emma"?

Yeah. Great.

Okay.

Here we go.

Okay.

No wife?

Hi. You've reached the Whitaker residence.

Anna Banana, it's Sloane.

I don't know if you even listen to this anymore, but your mailbox is full.

I haven't heard from you in a few days.

I'm a little worried. I know you told me not to worry,

and so I'm not gonna worry.

But call me back, or I will definitely worry.

Now for the annoying part of the message.

I know you told me a million times that you stopped painting...

...and you can totally say no.

But I have a show coming up, and I need one of your pieces.

Not need but want.

But also need. But also no pressure.

But also, please?

Okay, I hate myself. I love you.

Call me back.

I was so talented once.

How do I look?

You think Carol would approve?

I know.

I wish I was in my pajamas staying home with you tonight too.

I love you.

Can you at least give me a kiss before I go?

I can't.

Why not?

Because I'm dead.

How do I keep forgetting that?

When your past is so present,

how can there be a future?

There can't.

You're just stuck in the present with your past.

Oh my God. I cannot believe you just stood Mark up.

This is really bad for Scott, Anna. You don't even...

You gotta be kidding me.

Hello?

I need a fucking drink.

Ugh.

Not tagged.

Oh shit.

Hi.

These are for you.

Oh my God.

They're gorgeous. Thank you.

So... sorry. They're not, um... They're not from me.

They were delivered a while ago. They were just sitting out in the sun, so...

Right. No. I know.

I... That's why I was saying thank you for letting me know they're out here.

That's why I said, "Thank you."

I'm Neil. Um, we just moved in across the street.

Did you?

Huh.

Um, I'm Anna.

Uh... uh...

Well, uh, enjoy your flowers.

Okay.

Very pretty.

What else can I tell you?

Hmm. Oh, we have new neighbors.

A dad and a little girl.

She's about your age.

Or the age you were when...

All right. I gotta go.

I'll see you tomorrow. I love you.

Hi.

You must be my new neighbor.

I'm Anna.

My name's Emma.

What you got there?

I'm selling chocolate bars for my new school.

I'm trying to sell as many as I can so that the other kids will like me.

How about five boxes?

Wow. That's $50.

Fifty dollars. Okay.

Stay right here. I'm gonna go upstairs and get my checkbook.

You know, you must have read my mind, 'cause I was just craving chocolate.

Okay...

So how are you liking your new house?

My dad says the kitchen's too small.

Is that so?

Is, um, your dad a... a good cook?

Not as good as my mom was.

She died.

I'm sorry.

I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. I am going to bring you

a yummy chicken casserole for dinner tonight.

Really?

Mm-hmm.

- Do I make the check out to your school? - Yeah.

Madison Elementary.

That was Elizabeth's school.

Who's Elizabeth?

Uh...

Someone very special.

Just like you.

What kind do you want?

Do you have anything with almonds?

Oh, the lady next door to us bought all the almond ones.