Millie Accardi stands outside her family’s newly purchased home on Long Island while her husband, Enzo, carries the last boxes inside. Millie daydreams about Enzo restoring their patchy lawn, reminding herself that he is skilled at yardwork and repairs, even though the house needs fixes.

The neighbor next door, Suzette Lowell of 12 Locust Street, introduces herself with aggressive cheer and a painfully strong handshake. Suzette compliments the house in ways that feel like thinly veiled insults (“cozy,” “rustic”), then questions Millie about work; Millie says she is a social worker, and Suzette shares that she is a real estate agent.

When Enzo appears, Suzette openly flirts and assumes he is a mover until Millie clarifies he is her husband. Suzette then comments that the house will be perfect for Millie, Enzo, and their children “especially with another little one on the way,” pointedly looking at Millie’s abdomen. Millie, embarrassed and irritated, states she is not pregnant; Enzo mentions they have two children, Nico and Ada, and Millie reflects on how hard the mid-year move has been on the kids, especially Ada.

Suzette explains she and her husband, Jonathan, are “happily childfree,” then points out that a third-grade boy lives across the street, though his mother, Janice, is unfriendly and watchful. Suzette’s warning makes Millie and Enzo realize their new house has no blinds or curtains, meaning Janice can see directly into their windows; Enzo promises to buy blinds, while Suzette offers an expensive-sounding installer recommendation.

Suzette invites Millie’s family to dinner the next night and requests that Millie bring dessert. After Suzette corrects Millie for saying they live “in Long Island” instead of “on Long Island,” Millie forces politeness, agrees to the dinner, and is left with a sinking feeling that moving here may have been a mistake.