Timeline
The story opens on a Thursday in October and runs into the following May. Here is what the first chapters tell us.
- Thirty years agoMargaret Ellison moves to Wisteria Court.
- Eleven years agoTom starts writing letters to Sarah.
- Nine years agoClaire and Tom move into number six. The Lowells move into number seven around the same time.
- Five years agoClaire becomes chair of the beautification committee.
- Four years agoQuinn Calloway's online history begins.
- Fourteen months agoQuinn begins studying the street.
- JuneThe Lowells move out of number seven.
- October, a ThursdayQuinn moves in at 6:23 in the morning. Claire throws a welcome party that night. Tom writes his forty-fourth letter.
- The next morningClaire and Quinn raise their cups to each other across the fence. Claire calls Peter.
- The third SaturdayThe committee meets at the Garcias'. Margaret tells Claire that Quinn lost a sister.
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The full timeline
- Twelve or thirteen years agoClaire first sees Tom across a gallery room.
- Eleven years ago, OctoberClaire asks Tom whether Sarah has seemed herself lately. He says no.
- NovemberSarah's friends go cool one at a time.
- DecemberSarah sees Tom close a notebook at his desk.
- February 15 to 17Sarah calls Tom eighteen times and leaves eleven messages. Tom and Claire are at dinner on the 15th. He never calls back.
- FebruarySarah dies. Beth arrives five days too late. Tom begins his letters.
- JuneTom writes the sealed letter the day before he marries Claire.
- Five years agoRebecca Mercer has Sarah's journal appraised in Columbus.
- Four years agoRebecca Elizabeth Mercer becomes Quinn Elizabeth Calloway in Ohio.
- OctoberQuinn moves in. Peter tells Claire who she is. Quinn gets inside number six and leaves her cup in the rack.
- NovemberClaire tests Tom with the word sister. Tom visits Quinn. Quinn meets Peter at a diner, and his reports arrive.
- Late fallTom writes his last letter. Claire reads all forty-eight and burns them.
- DecemberTom finds the box empty, has Quinn to dinner, and Quinn finds the sealed letter. The next morning Claire burns the November pages and her hand. On Saturday, Tom leaves.
- FebruaryQuinn lists number seven. On the twenty-third she buys purple tulips.
- MarchQuinn leaves for Sarah's mother's.
- AprilThe committee meets without Claire. Easter brunch.
- First week of MayThe wisteria blooms. A young woman with a baby moves into number seven at 6:23.
This part of the story deals with suicide. If you or someone you love is struggling, in the United States you can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time of the day or night.