Schuyler Square Day 115 A Real Soap Opera

"Living in this town has been like being plopped down into the middle of a real soap opera," Dee Dee Cooper observed to her husband Steve.

"Does that mean you're glad that we're leaving?"

Dee Dee shrugged. They had finished packing and were getting ready for the combination farewell/housewarming party that they were throwing with the people who had bought their house, Rosanne and Mike Something or other. For the life of her, Dee Dee couldn't remember Rosanne's and Mike's last name. Oh, well. It didn't matter. It wasn't like she'd ever see them again.

"That shrug doesn't tell me a whole lot, honey," Steve gently said. "Tell me the truth: would you rather stay in Schuyler Square in spite of the fact that this house is haunted and that the people who live in this town seem to thrive on melodrama and that the nicest place to eat is the gas station where we can get an egg sandwich on a bagel?"

"There are other restaurants," Dee Dee protested. "We just aren't sticking around long enough to try them. I don't know, Steve. I don't feel like we've given Schuyler Square a chance."

Steve put down the red and white paper tablecloth he was spreading over the makeshift table comprised of moving boxes and walked across the room to hug his wife. "We have to face the fact that small town living isn't like the way it's shown on t.v. shows, Dee Dee. We thought we'd be moving into Mayberry and instead we wound up in Peyton Place."

"But maybe if we stay a little longer..."

"And do what? Wake up every night because some crazed ghost is knocking down all of our knickknacks? I need sleep, Dee Dee. I also need peace and quiet. Those are three things I haven't found here."

Dee Dee still didn't look convinced. "So we'll be going back to Chicago? I never noticed a whole lot of peace and quiet there."

"Maybe not but at least we're more likely to have normal neighbors."

"I just hate to leave without solving the mystery of Mary Austin's death."

"Cheer up. We're having a party tonight and most of the  major suspects are coming. Maybe we'll be able to figure it out before the night is over."

"Is Peter Van Husen coming?"

Steve nodded. "He invited himself. My money is on him, by the way. I think he knows a lot more about what happened that night than he's saying."

"I don't think he remembers what happened that night," Dee Dee responded. "Steve, would you promise me that if we do happen to figure everything out tonight that you'll at least consider staying in Schuyler Square?"

"Well, we can't stay in this house. We've already sold it."

"We can buy another one or find a condo or town house."

"You like it here that much?"

Dee Dee nodded. "I really do."

Steve sighed. "If it means that much to you, honey. Let's talk about it later." Their doorbell rang. "There's our first guest. Time to get this show on the road."