Nettle and Wilma’s Escalating Feud

This flow follows two neighbors from a minor dispute and Gaunt’s manipulation into mutual violence and death.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Neighbor’s Vulnerability

A Neighbor’s Vulnerability Nettle’s fragile recovery Nettle Cobb lives quietly after years of abuse, institutionalization, and the killing of her husband. Polly Chalmers gives her a home, work, and a small dog named Raider. Wilma’s antagonism Wilma Jerzyck repeatedly complains about Raider’s barking and threatens Nettle. Nettle is frightened of authority and vulnerable to intimidation, while Wilma enjoys quarrels and control.

A Lampshade and a Promise

A Lampshade and a Promise A prized possession Gaunt sells Nettle a beautiful carnival glass lampshade for almost all the money she has. For Nettle, it represents a treasured object and a rare experience of being treated kindly. A secret obligation Gaunt asks her to play a harmless trick on Danforth Keeton. Nettle agrees without understanding the larger purpose, then becomes increasingly anxious about Wilma’s threats and the safety of the lampshade.

Mud on the Sheets

Mud on the Sheets Brian’s prank lands Brian Rusk soils Wilma’s sheets with garden mud on Gaunt’s instruction. Wilma is startled and humiliated, then assumes Nettle is responsible because of their earlier dispute. Retaliation prepared Wilma threatens Nettle and makes intimidating drive-bys. Nettle remains indoors, frightened that Wilma will return and destroy her new lampshade.

Raider Is Killed

Raider Is Killed Hugh’s attack Hugh Priest enters Nettle’s home while she is away and kills Raider with a corkscrew, following Gaunt’s instructions. He leaves a note designed to implicate Wilma. A deadly misreading Nettle returns to find her dog dead and believes Wilma carried out the threat. Her grief and fear turn immediately into rage, while Wilma is separately drawn toward the apparent attack on her home.

The Corner Fight

The Corner Fight A meeting with no way back Wilma and Nettle converge at the corner of Ford and Willow streets, each believing the other has crossed an unforgivable line. They attack with a knife and a cleaver. Mutual death Both women die from their wounds. Their deaths appear to confirm a private feud, concealing Gaunt’s role in engineering the misunderstanding and setting the violence in motion.

Before October 1991

October 9–10, 1991

October 10, 1991

Morning of October 13, 1991

Afternoon of October 13, 1991