Michelle "Shelly" Lynn Watson Rivardo Long Knotek and her hometown of Battle Ground, Washington. The town's name is derived from a violent battle that took place between the indigenous Klickait nation and the United States Army, which reflects Shelly's own disposition towards violence. The setting is the 1950s, and Battle Ground is described as a typical American small town.
Shelly's father, Les Watson, is a well-known figure in the community known for his charm and ownership of various family businesses, including nursing homes and a bowling alley. It is at his bowling alley that Les meets 17-year-old Lara Stallings, who works there. Despite being ten years older than Lara, Les deceives her by claiming to be four years younger.
Lara, now known as Lara Watson after marrying Les, only discovers his true age and the fact that he has been married before and has three children in Alameda, California, after their marriage. Two of Les's children, Shelly and Chuck Watson, are unable to live with their mother Sharon, who is described as a depressed alcoholic. Consequently, Shelly and Chuck come to live with Lara and Les. Shelly, in particular, proves to be challenging, often assuming the role of spokesperson for her brother Chuck and consistently expressing her hatred for Lara.
Sharon, the children's mother, does not maintain contact with them through calls, cards, or gifts. Les explains that this behavior is a result of Sharon's troubled upbringing. However, in 1967, the Watsons receive distressing news from a homicide detective in Los Angeles. They learn
that Sharon has been murdered, and her body was discovered in a rundown motel room. As a result, the Watsons take in Sharon and Les's youngest son, Paul.
When 13-year-old Shelly is informed about her mother's tragic fate, she appears unaffected and disinterested, as though she and her mother had never formed a bond.
The challenges that arise when Les and Lara take in Paul, the youngest son of Les's previous marriage, into their home. Paul is depicted as lacking social skills, impulse control, and a grasp of appropriate behavior. Lara, despite her best efforts to be a stepmother, realizes that she is overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for all three children, with Shelly being the most difficult to handle.
Despite the couple's attemptsto foster a sense of family and bonding between their own children and Les's children from his previous marriage, Shelly adamantly refuses to participate in any activities that are not her own ideas. She frequently initiates conflicts, throws tantrums, and if she doesn't get her way, she stubbornly refuses to cooperate with the family, often resorting to lying and making up excuses. This ongoing tension between Lara and Shelly puts a strain on their relationship, and Lara struggles to comprehend Shelly's behavior.
As Shelly grows older, her attitude evolves from disruptive outbursts fueled by anger to engaging in vengeful and even violent acts. One such instance is revealed when she grinds up glass and hides it in the bottom of her siblings' shoes, causing them harm. Through her interactions with Grandma Anna Watson, Shelly's paternal grandmother, Lara discovers that this kind of behavior is not entirely unprecedented within the family dynamics.
Anna Watson, Shelly's paternal grandmother and a dominant figure in the family. Anna, originally from North Dakota, is described as an imposing and physically large woman. She moved to Washington as a teenager, bringing with her a formidable presence and a belief in her
infallibility. Anna runs one of the family's nursing homes and insists that everything be done according to her strict standards. Despite her husband George Watson being sweet, quiet, and charming, Anna forces him to sleep in a shed outside their house.
Anna's reputation as a supervisor is marked by cruelty, as she is known for treating her employees as "slaves," as mentioned by Lara. She would physically assault them for not working fast enough or making mistakes. Her intimidating nature instilled fear in her employees, a fact that Lara herself would come to realize when she started working at the nursing home.
Due to the proximity of Shelly's school to the nursing home, Shelly spends considerable time with her grandmother, Anna. Anna takes advantage of this opportunity to criticize Lara's parenting, pointing out all the things she believes Lara is doing wrong. Lara comes to understand that Anna finds joy in making others unhappy. Within the family dynamic, Shelly holds a special place in Anna's heart and is seen as her favorite, often assuming the role of a prot?g? under her grandmother's influence.
They return home and find a magazine article she had bookmarked in which a teenage girl discloses her experience of being molested by her father. The next day, the doctor examines Shelly and says there is no evidence of sexual assault. Les and Lara conclude that Shelly has crossed a boundary and the rest of their family's safety and reputation are in danger. The superintendent informs Lara that Shelly requires serious psychological intervention.
The strain in Lara and Les's marriage caused by Shelly's problematic behavior, as well as the challenges of managing their family businesses and raising their other four children. Even after Shelly moves to Hoodsport, Chuck and Paul continue to exhibit poor behavior.
Lara arranges for Shelly to attend a boarding school when it becomes evident that she cannot live with Lara's parents any longer. However, within weeks, the Watsons receive a call from the school, explaining that Shelly's behavioral issues have led to her stealing from peers, placing glass in their shoes, and destroying other girls' homework. At the end of the year, the school informs the Watsonsthat Shelly will not be allowed to return the following year.
Consequently, Shelly returns to Battle Ground, and her daily interactions with Lara consist of expressing her hatred towards her and wishing for her demise. Despite Shelly's lies and troublesome behavior, Les still loves and spoils his daughter. Les's sister, Katie, takes pity on Shelly, who knows how to charm her aunt. Shelly goes to live with Katie, and after a few weeks, Katie informs the Watsons that she wants Shelly to stay with her on the East Coast.
Lara feels relieved and believes that her prayers have been answered by God. However, Shelly's presence becomes so overwhelming for Katie that it leads to Katie divorcing her husband. Shelly, devoid of remorse, shows no concern for the chaos she leaves behind. In fact, despite still being under 18 years old, she has already met her first husband, indicating her quick progression into a new chapter of her life.
Randy Rivardo, who meets 17-year-old Shelly in 1971 when she is living with her aunt Katie in Murrysville, Pennsylvania. They part ways in 1972 after graduating from high school when Shelly returns to the West Coast to work as a nurse's aide at one of her family's nursing homes. Later that summer, Shelly calls Randy to express her longing for him and informs him that her father, Les, wants to offer him a job at one of the family's nursing homes, along with a rent-free apartment.
Randy arrives in Battle Ground and is warmly welcomed by Les and the
rest of the family. In hindsight, it becomes apparent that Les may have been relieved to pass off his daughter to someone else. Randy and Shelly quickly become engaged and get married in 1973 when Shelly is 19 years old. Unfortunately, none of Randy's loved ones attend the wedding because Shelly fails to mail their invitations.
The newlyweds reside in a trailer owned by Les and Lara, which they live in rent-free. However, Shelly despises the living arrangements and deems it beneath her standards. Shelly's poor work ethic and frequent absenteeism lead to her being fired from her father's nursing home. Nevertheless, she manages to secure employment at various other family-owned nursing homes despite her negative attitude and reputation. Eventually, she is permanently terminated from the family businesses. Shelly then becomes a stay-at-home mom but refuses to engage in household chores, cooking, orcleaning.
Shelly continues to rely on her father, utilizing emotional manipulation to convince him to buy her a VW Beetle. However, instead of the requested car, Les surprises her with a Buick convertible. Shelly responds with rage and subsequently overdoses on alcohol and what she believes to be sedatives. Randy rushes her to the emergency room to have her stomach pumped, only to discover that she had actually taken aspirin instead of sedatives.
One day, Randy returns home to find Shelly covered in blood, and their trailer in complete disarray. She claims that a man had entered and raped her at gunpoint. Randy contacts the county sheriff and informs Les, but the sheriff quickly determines that Shelly's wounds are self-inflicted. The family realizes that this was a ploy by Shelly to obtain money and move out of the trailer. Shelly continues to exhibit spoiled and ungrateful behavior, resorting to lies in order to manipulate situations in her favor. In 1974, she and Randy announce that she is pregnant. Lara hopes that motherhood will bring a positive change to Shelly's demeanor. When Randy's family visits, Shelly isolates herself in her room, refusing their presence and destroying the gifts they had left for her and Randy.
Shelly's life after her divorce from Randy. Shelly gives birth to her daughter Nikki in February 1975 but has little experience caring for a
baby. She initially stays with Les and Lara for a few days but ends up staying for months. Randy eventually tells Shelly that she needs to return to their home in Battle Ground. Randy confides in Lara, expressing that Shelly is only nice to him when other people are present. Randy starts sleeping in their car, and Shelly manipulates her father into sending Randy's paycheck to her directly, considering it her own money. Despite his love for his daughter, Randy becomes fed up and decides to visit his family. The couple attempts to reconcile, but their peace lasts only two more weeks before Randy files for divorce. Shelly steals money from Randy, leaves their daughter Nikki with Lara, changes her phone number, and disappears.
A year later, Shelly returns to take Nikki back but provides no explanation for her absence. She begins telling her young daughter that Randy abandoned them, although Nikki later learns that her father had tried to contact her many times over the years.
Shelly lives with Nikkiin an apartment in Vancouver. Les and Lara, concerned about Shelly's ability to care for Nikki, visit them and discover stolen goods from their family cabin. They also meet Shelly's neighbor, Danny Long, with whom she is romantically involved. Shelly and Danny eventually move to a house in Battle Ground that Shelly inherited from her grandmother, Anna. Shelly announces that she is pregnant with her second child, and Danny is the father. They get married in June 1978, and Samantha(Sami) is born in August 1978. Shelly instructs Nikki to refer to Danny as "Dad."
Danny pushes back against Shelly more than most people in her life but is kind to the girls. However, Shelly and Danny's marriage becomes tumultuous, mirroring the end of Shelly's marriage with Randy. In 1983, Shelly meets Dave Knotek and introduces him as the girls' new "Dad." They prepare to move from Battle Ground to a nearby town called Raymond. Nikki recalls waking up one night, feeling suffocated with a pillow over her head. Shelly appears and dismisses it as a dream, but Nikki knows her mother was testing if she could kill her.
Details about Raymond, a gray and wet part of Washington State known for industries such as timber, oysters, and more recently, marijuana. Dave Knotek, originally from Pacific County, meets Shelly at a
bar called The Sore Thumb in April 1982. They quickly start dating, and Dave meets Nikki and Sami. Shelly is at risk of losing her grandmother Anna's house due to missed mortgage payments, and Dave promises to help her save it. Shelly confides in Dave that she has been diagnosed with cancer, although she appears to be in good health. Dave worries about who will care for the girls if Shelly dies. Shelly and Dave marry in December 1987, with Shelly's best friend Kathy Loreno, a hairdresser, in attendance.
Shelly's father is relieved to see her married again, as it means she won't ask him for more money. Les never fully forgave his daughter for her false rape accusation, but Shelly apologizes insincerely and tells him she is trying to be a better person. Although she still speaks ill of her father behind his back, Shelly informs him that she has cancer and claims to appreciate him more as an adult.
Nikki's observations about Shelly and Dave's tumultuous marriage. Nikki witnesses her motherhurling hateful insults at Dave, criticizing his income and his commitment to the family, while he holds a shotgun pointed at himself. Dave eventually drives off but returns later to find Shelly being sweet and loving, promising that there won't be any more fights.
Unlike Shelly's previous husbands, Dave is more passive and submissive, refraining from hurting or cursing at his wife. Shelly, on the other hand, screams and becomes physically violent towards Dave. She starts distancing herself from his family when she notices his tendency to seek solace with them. Dave realizes that the best way to survive the marriage is to avoid Shelly and spend as little time at home as possible. When asked why he didn't leave, Dave explains that he knew Shelly would have hunted him down.
The Knotek family's move to a rental home in Old Willapa, a town known for timber and oyster industries. They call their new residence "The Louderback House" after its original owners. Shelly's violent
tendencies intensify, as she beats the girls with household items such as spatulas and electrical cords. She slams their heads against walls and locks them in closets or their rooms. Despite having access to city water, she tells the girls to save water and forbids them from showering. Additionally, Shelly takes away their Christmas presents a few days after Christmas each year, claiming they don't deserve them, and hides them with traps to catch the children if they try to find them.
Nikki and Sami sleep in extra layers in case their mother forces them outside in the middle of the night. Nikki wears opaque tights to school to conceal the bruises and cuts inflicted by her mother. Although Nikki realizes she could have told an adult about the abuse, she refrains from seeking help, fearing attention and the judgment of others. Both Nikki and Sami recognize that their mother's behavior is wrong, and they bond through their shared misery.
The painful dynamics within the family. Shelly enjoys taking photos of her daughters and displaying them on the walls, but this act becomes agonizing for Nikki and Sami due to the extreme abuse they endure. Decorating with their mother only happens when Shelly is in a warm and charming mood.
One form of punishment inflicted on Nikki and Sami is what Shelly calls "wallowing." In the middle of the night, Shellywakes them up, orders them to undress and go outside, and instructs Dave to spray them with a hose while they crawl on their hands and knees, even in freezing temperatures. Afterwards, Shelly forcefully immerses them in a scalding hot bath.
Sami notices that Nikki often receives harsher punishments from their mother. Nikki is aware of this discrepancy as well. Sami can handle the abuse and still show love towards their mother, while Nikki struggles to accept the mistreatment. Nikki rebels more fiercely than Sami. Being four years younger, Sami realizes that aligning herself with their mother is advantageous if she wants to avoid the worst of the abuse.
In one incident, Shelly locks Nikki in her room using a butcher knife in the door frame. She berates Nikki, calling her ugly and useless, and eventually confines her to the closet. Despite the overall abusive environment, Nikki finds some solace in being locked away. Shelly provides Nikki with a bucket for basic needs and instructs Sami not to communicate with her sister, but Sami throws pinecones at Nikki's window when she wants to communicate. Nikki takes advantage of the situation by reading paperback books she finds in the closet.
After Shelly releases Nikki, it doesn't take long before she resumes torturing her oldest daughter. Shelly pushes Nikki through a plate glass door. Initially shocked, Shelly later apologizes and treats Nikki to a nice dinner and a haircut. As recalled by Sami, their mother should have taken Nikki to the hospital, but she knew the doctors would see their wounds. Their grandmother, Lara, mentions that Nikki and Sami never speak ill of their mother, only referring to her as "weird" at times.
Shane Watson, Shelly's nephew and Paul's son, receives loving letters from Shelly. Shane's mother was Paul's Native Alaskan girlfriend whom he impregnated. Shane's early life was marked by chaos due to Paul's erratic presence and his mother's substance abuse. Shelly applies for benefits to bring Shane into her household. When Shane moves in with the Knotek family, he is friendly, positive, and kind. Nikki and Sami grow fond of him, and he refers to Shelly and Dave as his mother and father.
However, Shelly soon puts Shane to work doing chores and he becomes as scared of Shelly as Nikki and Sami are. When he doesn't meet her expectations, Shelly steals his belongings, forces him to sleep on the floor,forbids him from showering, and takes away most of his clothes. Nikki and Shane become particularly close due to their similar ages and shared experiences of feeling like outsiders at home and school. Lara, their grandmother, discovers that Shane is sleeping on a basement floor with an old mattress. When Lara confronts Shelly about it, reminding her that Shane needs his own bed and room, Shelly brushes it off with excuses.
Despite Nikki's awareness that her mother's behavior is abnormal compared to other mothers she observes outside their home or on television, she rationalizes and explains away Shelly's actions. As an adult, Nikki reflects on the fact that, as a child, she depended on her mother. She felt compelled to love her because she believed she had no other choice. Shelly's abuse and punishments serve as tests to see how far she can push her children's love for her.
When Shane arrives, Shelly also subjects him to abuse, making him "wallow" like Nikki and Sami. She humiliates both Shane and Nikki for minor mistakes by making them strip naked and perform a slow dance together. Dave, their stepfather, ignores their misery. Nikki and Sami later understand that Shelly's use of nudity as a form of torture stems from power dynamics rather than sexuality. By controlling their bodies, Shelly asserts control over their ability to escape.
Nikki and Shane's attempts to resist Shelly's demeaning abuse, but they quickly learn that resisting only leads to harsher punishments. One day, when Dave is not at home, Shelly decides to subject Nikki and Shane to a particularly cruel punishment. She forces them to undress and sit outside with their backs pressed against each other in the freezing cold. To cope with the harsh conditions, they play a game they jokingly call "Kill Mom." However, they are not allowed back into the house until well after dark.
Amidst the ongoing abuse, Shelly frequently asks Nikki and Shane to draw her a bath. In their conversations, they sometimes discuss the idea of throwing her radio into the bath with her. However, when the actual moment comes and Shelly asks them to draw her a bath, neither Nikki nor Shane can bring themselves to harm her, despite the intense mistreatment they endure.
After Shane moves in, Shelly's best friend and hairdresser, Kathy Loreno, also moves in with them. Kathy is a tall and imposingfigure, standing at six feet. She starts babysitting Shelly's children. Sami sees Kathy as a second mother figure and is happy to have her around, but Nikki and Shane are irritated by another adult telling them what to do.
In December 1988, Shelly surprises the family with two
announcements: she is pregnant with her third child, and Kathy will be moving in with them. This news catches everyone off guard, including Dave, but Shelly explains that Kathy's family has abandoned her and that she will act as a midwife during her pregnancy. Dave doesn't fight against it, and while Sami welcomes Kathy's presence, Nikki and Shane remain suspicious of her overbearing nature and sudden arrival in their home.
Kathy grew up in North Hollywood, California, with a father who worked for NBC and an unhappy mother. They frequently moved neighborhoods due to her mother's multiple marriages. At the age of 18, Kathy attended beauty school, but her mother announced that they would be moving to Pacific County, where Kathy struggled to establish a career in the small, rural community.
Kathy faced challenges in pursuing her dreams and often felt timid. She shared a bank account with her mother to help cover bills when her mother couldn't find work. Kathy would frequently babysit for family and friends without charging and was always available to give someone a ride. Her giving nature often left her vulnerable.
When Kathy's father died in a workplace accident, she and her brother received compensation from a wrongful death lawsuit. This gave her the stability to buy a house and become more independent. However, when she lost her job, she faced difficulty paying her mortgage and had to move back in with her mother, who now charged her rent. During her lowest point, she turned to her friend Shelly Knotek for help.
Despite the added pressure of another mouth to feed, Dave is happy that Shelly is pregnant, especially since she is still undergoing chemotherapy. He sees the baby as a miracle. However, Shelly refuses to let Dave drive her to the hospital and insists that Kathy accompanies her instead.
In June 1989, Tori Knotek is born. When the family brings her home, they set up a heart monitor and a special bed for the baby. Shelly tells
everyone that Tori was born prematurely, although that is not true, and claims that she stopped breathing once but was resuscitated.Nikki witnesses her mother smothering baby Tori with a pillow, prompting both Nikki and Sami to keep a closer eye on their mother.
Sami remembers a birthday celebration that takes a terrible turn when Kathy gives her a gold necklace. Sami tells her mother that it's her favorite gift, and in response, Shelly beats her with a belt.
Lara, who is now divorced from Les, receives a call from Shelly, who informs her that she has Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and that her prognosis is grave. A few days later, Shelly tells Lara that she actually has cancer of the pituitary gland. Lara grows suspicious of Shelly's diagnosis and questions the inconsistency. She contacts an oncologist colleague who confirms that Shelly's explanation doesn't seem logical.
Lara confronts Shelly about her suspicion of lying, and Kathy and Dave get on the phone to scold Lara. Lara points out that no one has ever accompanied Shelly to a doctor's appointment or chemotherapy treatment, and they have never received any medical bills at the house.
Kathy's presence in the Louderback House slowly transforms the atmosphere, but the change is gradual, like a frog in boiling water. Without the support of her family and friends, Kathy starts to fade away, becoming a shadow of her former self. Shelly beats her for even the smallest mistakes, and their arguments often end with abuse. Shelly blames Kathy for everything, then apologizes, hugs her, and gives her pills.
Shelly also gaslights Kathy, making her believe she has done things she hasn't. She accuses Kathy of sleepwalking and sleep eating, hiding food packages and containers around the house. Shelly even accuses Kathy of standing naked in Shane's room while sleepwalking, and despite Kathy's denials, Shane sides with Shelly to avoid being beaten. Kathy's punishments escalate as Shelly kicks her down the stairs, takes away her clothes and underwear, locks her in closets, and restricts her access
to the bathroom.
Eventually, Shelly forces the children to participate in Kathy's punishment as well. Shane is compelled to kick and punch Kathy repeatedly, while the girls are instructed to lock Kathy in a closet when Shelly has company over. This abuse takes a heavy toll on Kathy's physical well-being, causing her to lose weight, teeth, and hair. The children try to help her, but she refuses their kindness, looking at them with empathy.
During a camping trip, Dave and Shelly tell Kathy she mustride in the car trunk, and she complies without protest. Shelly forces Kathy to sleep under the car instead of in the tent and continues to make her sleep in the trunk on subsequent nights. Kathy starts riding in the trunk whenever they go anywhere. Shelly further humiliates her by giving her a bowl cut, despite Kathy once taking pride in her wavy hair. Nikki and Sami try to reassure her that she looks wonderful, but it's clear that they are lying. When Nikki asks Shane why Kathy allows Shelly to treat her this way, he explains that Kathy is terrified of Shelly.
Shane and Nikki suspect that Kathy's lack of resistance towards Shelly is due to the pills Shelly constantly administers to her. They sneak into Shelly's bedroom to investigate and discover numerous prescription bottles, including Lorazepam, Nitroquick, Atenolol, Alsace, and Paxil, prescribed by doctors from various locations. Shane takes a Paxil and realizes how easily Shelly could be sedating Kathy and potentially drugging all of them at some point.
As their misery continues, Shane and Nikki bond over their shared experiences and fantasize about killing Shelly. Shane's torture escalates as well, including instances where Shelly tapes his wrists and ankles with duct tape, strips him naked in front of Nikki and Sami, and applies Icy Hot to his penis. While Shane contemplates running away, Nikki cannot bring herself to leave. Although Shane attempts to escape multiple times, Shelly always finds him and brings him back home, using the
words he longs to hear to manipulate him into staying.
Shelly decides that Kathy needs to move to a new bedroom to make room for Tori and her crib. Kathy is forced to live in the oil furnace room, a cold and tiny unfinished space with concrete floors. Sami, upset by seeing Kathy in such cramped and unpleasant conditions, tries to decorate the room, but Kathy urges her not to for fear of retribution from Shelly.
One night, Shelly becomes extremely angry with Kathy over a minor issue. Nikki and Sami watch from Nikki's room as Shelly forces Kathy to go outside naked in the snow. Shelly and Dave make Kathy crawl up and down an icy hill for hours until she bleeds from the ice crystals. Nikki's heart breaks for Kathy, but she also knows that as long as Kathy is there, she is spared from the worst ofher mother's punishments.
Kathy's family is left bewildered when she doesn't show up for her mother's major heart surgery. Shelly informs them that Kathy has run away with her boyfriend named "Rocky." Kathy's sister receives a letter from her with a blurry photo, assuring her that she is fine.
The new house has limited bedrooms and only one bathroom. However, the property includes several outbuildings such as a chicken coop, tool shed, barn, well house, and pump house. Dave, who works a construction job five hours away, is not available to help with the renovations, so the girls, Shane, and Kathy are left to do the work to meet Shelly's standards. Nikki is tasked with painting the entire exterior of the house using a one-inch paintbrush, while Shelly mostly stays inside while the children work outside.
Kathy's condition continues to deteriorate. Shelly forces her to bathe outside using a hose throughout the year, occasionally substituting soap with bleach and covering her mouth with duct tape to muffle her
screams and prevent neighbors from hearing. Shelly tells Kathy that these measures will make her feel better. When Dave questions Shelly about Kathy, she claims to be "helping" her get better. The kids inform Dave that Kathy is kept in the pump house, supposedly for their children's protection. Although Dave knows this is untrue, he is too exhausted to argue with Shelly.
One day, Kathy disappears while working in the garden. Shelly searches for her and finds her returning from a nearby mall with a friend, having bought new outfits. Nikki becomes suspicious of how their mother convinced Kathy to come back. A few days later, Kathy is once again confined to the pump house, and the girls never see her wear the new clothes she bought.
Kathy continues her attempts to escape. Sami learns from a classmate that their mother saw a naked woman running in the Knotek's yard. Sami realizes that thenaked woman was Kathy trying to flee. She informs Shelly, who panics but instructs Sami to invite the classmate over and concoct an elaborate story about Shelly herself running naked from the hot tub after a wire sparked.
Kathy is regularly kept in the pump house for extended periods of days and weeks. Nikki theorizes that Shelly places Kathy in the pump house not as a punishment, but because she is tired of her, particularly after her escape attempts. Shelly fears what Kathy might reveal if questioned by others.
One day, Shelly leaves the house and puts Shane in charge. Fed up with Shelly's abuse, Shane unlocks the pump house door and releases Kathy. However, despite being terrified and lacking trust, Kathy refuses to leave even when Shane becomes angry on her behalf. Nikki and Shane realize that Kathy has lost all hope for survival.
Dave fully believes everything Shelly tells him about himself, convinced that he is a terrible husband and that she made a mistake marrying him. His demanding 16-hour workdays and physical exhaustion contribute to his feelings of inadequacy. At times, Shelly refuses to let him into the house, forcing him to sleep in his truck.
Shelly pressures Dave to quit his construction job, believing he can make more money elsewhere. He wants to be a better and more present father, but the mounting medical bills from Shelly's cancer treatment make it challenging. Dave struggles to find a solution and turns to his sister for financial help. When she sends a small amount of money, Shelly becomes enraged.
Shelly creates a cycle of abuse and manipulation with Dave, and his love for her leads him to support her behavior, even writing romantic notes that seem more like wishful thinking than a reflection of their actual relationship.
Despite having no medical training, Shelly takes it upon herself to treat her children, Dave, and Kathy's injuries using her stockpile of pharmaceutical drugs. She often gives her young children muscle relaxers for minor ailments. It is discovered that she was desperate to obtain a prescription for a powerful tranquilizer called Haldol, which she couldn't easily acquire.
Lara, unable to ignore Shelly's lies about having cancer, realizes that Dave is too gullible. Lara and Shelly's half-sister, Carol, confront Shelly and offer to support her recovery and take over the medical bills. Shelly goes to the bathroom and comes out with a clumpof her hair, claiming it just fell out. Lara finds evidence in the trash can, including scissors and hair. Shelly refuses to tell the truth even when confronted. Lara and Carol come to the realization that Shelly is indeed sick, but not with cancer.
Following this incident, Lara starts receiving harassing phone calls in the early hours of the morning, and Carol loses work due to an anonymous tip labeling her as a thief. Shelly is revealed as the one behind these vengeful actions.
When Shelly learns that there was a fundraiser for a classmate's
parent who was diagnosed with cancer, she becomes angry at Nikki for not organizing a similar event for her, even though Nikki knows her mother doesn't have cancer. Shelly berates Nikki, calling her a disappointment.
Shane becomes increasingly miserable living with the Knoteks. Struggling academically, being forced into exhausting yard work, sleeping in Nikki's closet, getting into fights with Dave, and being compelled to physically abuse Kathy, he reaches a breaking point. He confides in Nikki, expressing his need to get out and encourages her to come with him. Nikki, however, wants to wait until she graduates high school and can go to college to escape. Deep down, Nikki recognizes that her mother's possessive and jealous nature may never allow her to leave.
Although Dave believes Shelly's claims that Nikki and Shane need physical discipline to set them on the right path, he struggles with the idea of physically abusing Kathy, who is obedient. Realizing that Kathy is near death, he proposes a plan to Shelly: driving Kathy to Oregon and leaving her in a random town. Shelly dismisses the idea, insisting that Kathy is "getting better."
Shelly becomes enraged when Kathy, whose bathroom privileges were revoked, relieves herself in a Tupperware container. As punishment, Shelly and Dave strip Kathy naked, bind her to a plywood board with duct tape, and submerge her head underwater while hurling insults at her. Kathy is characterized as "a sadist's worst pet" in Olsen's account.
Neighbors begin to sense that something strange is happening at the Knotek house, although the only official complaint filed is regarding neglect of their horses. Kathy's condition worsens, and she struggles to breathe. Shelly decides to give Kathy a real bath after months, but Kathy
is weak and unsteady on her feet. The tempered glass shower door falls and shatters, causing cuts on Kathy'sbody. Shelly refuses to take her to the hospital for stitches and insists on treating the wounds herself. Sami tries to help, but Shelly scolds her, and Sami realizes that Kathy's physical condition is beyond repair.
One night in July 1994, Dave returns home from work and hears a strange noise coming from the laundry room where Kathy stays. Shelly dismisses his concerns and leaves with Sami to meet Nikki at a restaurant. Dave doesn't believe her and investigates with Shane. They find Kathy choking on her own vomit and struggling to breathe. Dave performs CPR and chest compressions, but Kathy stops breathing. He hesitates to call 911 out of fear that Shelly would get in trouble and that the children would be traumatized by seeing Kathy's body being taken away. Dave calls the restaurant to inform Shelly of what happened.
Nikki and Sami notice their mother's shocked reaction and sense that something is wrong, but they are not told the details. When they arrive home, Dave pulls Shelly aside to break the news that Kathy has died. Shelly appears shocked, despite Kathy's frail condition. Nikki, Sami, Tori, and Shane go upstairs while Dave and Shelly argue outside. Curious, Nikki and Shane sneak downstairs and discover Kathy's lifeless body in the laundry room.
When Dave and Shelly inform the children about Kathy's death, chaos erupts. Shane insists on calling an ambulance, but Shelly refuses, emphasizing the need to protect themselves as a family. Instead, she takes the girls to a motel, providing them with money, snacks, and instructions not to speak to anyone until she returns.
Dave convinces himself that their family has experienced an unthinkable tragedy, and involving authorities would only tear them apart. He convinces himself that Kathy died of natural causes, unwilling to confront the truth about Shelly's brutality.
Late at night, Dave and Shane start a fire to cremate Kathy's body.
Dave takes the cremated remains to the coast, waiting for the right moment when the tide will wash them out to sea. Meanwhile, Shelly collects Kathy's belongings, intending for Dave to burn them as well. The next day, when the girls return home, they notice a strange smell emanating from the fire pit. Shane confides in Nikki about what happened the previous night.
Dave is haunted by Kathy's death and the cremation. Shelly assures him that she feels the same way. She instructs the older children neverto speak of what happened to Kathy. Shelly fabricates a story that Kathy died by suicide and warns them against the risk of Kathy's family discovering the truth. Nikki recognizes this as a lie. Shelly attributes the strange smell to burned insulation, but when Shane and Nikki are tasked with cleaning out the burn pit a few days later, they find shards and fragments of Kathy's bones.
Shelly realizes that she needs to create a cover story for Kathy's disappearance that goes beyond suicide since there is no body to confirm her death. She presents a fabricated story to Dave, claiming that Kathy ran away with someone named Rocky to start a new life. Dave finds the story implausible, especially since Kathy didn't date anyone. Shelly tries to convince the children of this story, acting as if they had met Rocky once at the Louderback house. Sami believes the story, wishing it were true to hold onto the hope that Kathy might still be alive, but Shane and Nikki see through it.
Shelly involves Nikki in creating fake cards and letters, forging Kathy's signature to make the story more convincing. However, Shelly's confidence in the plan wavers, and she warns the family that if the police find out, she will blame Shane for Kathy's disappearance. Shelly suspects that Shane, frustrated with the family, may go to the police. Meanwhile, Shane, aware that his time in the house is limited, must decide whether to go to the police or run away for good.
Shelly develops a plan to test if Kathy's family will come looking for
her. Despite the lack of contact between Kathy and her sister for the past five years, Shelly wants to see if Kathy's sister will visit. Dave is concerned about this idea and tries to dissuade Shelly, but she goes ahead and calls Kathy's sister. However, Kathy's sister shows no interest in speaking to Shelly.
Now that Kathy's family is no longer perceived as a threat, Shelly becomes paranoid that their neighbors across the street might have information about Kathy's death. She recruits Nikki to spy on the neighbors, and Shane joins in as well. Despite their efforts, they don't discover anything unusual or hear any incriminating conversations. Nonetheless, Shelly persists and demands that Nikki enter the neighbors' crawlspace, even though Nikki can't hear anything from there. Shelly wants to intimidate the neighbors and drive themout of town, despite lacking evidence that they have any knowledge about Kathy. Nikki desperately wants to leave home but remains reluctant because, as she tells Shane, Shelly is the only mother she has ever had.
Shelly's paranoia regarding Kathy continues for the next year, leading her to constantly quiz the children about their cover story involving Rocky. She also punishes Shane and Nikki constantly for minor "mistakes." Sami and Nikki try their best to maintain a semblance of normalcy in their lives at school, but Shane struggles to endure living in their home until he graduates from high school. Meanwhile, Shelly tries to convince Dave that Shane will report them to the police. She goes to extreme lengths, telling Dave that she found a pair of Tori's bloody underwear in the shed, implying that Shane must be molesting her. At Shelly's insistence, Dave beats up Shane. Shane confides in Nikki that he has had enough and needs to leave.
In February 1995, Shelly and Dave gather the girls one morning to inform them that Shane has run away. They claim that they will go out and search for him. Shelly adds that Shane left her a birdhouse he made as a parting gift, along with a note expressing his love for her. However, no one in the family has actually seen this note. Nikki doubts the truth of these claims, but Sami wants to believe their mother. The family gets into the car to begin their search for Shane, but despite hours of driving, they make few stops to actively look for him.
One week later, Shelly surprises the family with a spontaneous mini-vacation. As time passes, Shelly continues to provide updates about Shane's whereabouts. She tells the girls that Shane is fishing on Kodiak Island. However, there is a mysterious pattern in their communication with him. They always seem to miss his calls, or he calls when the girls are at school, preventing them from having a chance to speak to him directly.
Nikki once again becomes the primary target of Shelly's abuse. She endures various forms of mistreatment at the hands of her mother. One night, Nikki is locked outside in the freezing cold weather, subjected to harsh conditions. On other occasions, she is forced to sleep in the cold outbuildings on their property. To prepare for these situations, Nikki, Sami, and Tori keepcoats and warm clothes in the outbuildings, knowing they might need them when their mother locks them out of the house.
Shelly's violence towards Nikki escalates, reaching a dangerous level. She forces Nikki to do yard work in her underwear, and then, in a fit of rage, runs at her with a knife. Nikki is stabbed in the leg during this terrifying encounter. However, she knows that seeking stitches for her wound would bring the attention of the authorities, which could potentially lead to intervention. Instead, Nikki decides to sleep in the woods for the night, trying to find some solace away from her abusive home.
Feeling desperate and trapped, Nikki reaches a point of deep despair. In an attempt to escape her unbearable situation, she consumes poisonous berries in a suicide attempt. However, the berries fail to have the desired effect, and Nikki survives the ordeal.
In September 1996, Shelly takes a step in a different direction by applying for jobs teaching special needs children. This change in her professional pursuits marks a shift in her life, but the abuse and torment she inflicts upon her family continue to haunt them.
Sami finds her own way to cope with her mother's abuse. She relies on
humor as a defense mechanism to divert the attention of her friends and peers from the turmoil happening at home. She also uses humor to distract her younger sister, Tori, who is too young to fully comprehend the severity of the situation they are living in. Sami's witty remarks and jokes serve as a shield, helping her navigate through the challenging dynamics of their household.
Meanwhile, Shelly, their mother, grows increasingly suspicious of her two older daughters as they transition into young women. She specifically targets Nikki, believing her to be a negative influence on Sami. Shelly discourages Sami and Nikki from spending time alone with each other, possibly out of fear that they may conspire against her or share the dark secrets of their home life.
As part of her own transformation, Shelly focuses on her appearance. She begins to lose weight and gives herself a makeover, possibly in an attempt to regain control and boost her self-esteem. She tells her daughters that she has made "friends" with a male airline pilot, implying a romantic relationship. When Dave, their father, is away, Shelly invites this pilot over to their house and instructs the girlsto stay out of the house during his visit, suggesting that she wants privacy with her newfound companion.
Lara, Shane's grandmother, expresses her concerns about Shane and her inability to reach him at Shelly's house. She assumes that he is just being a typical teenage boy, especially since Shelly repeatedly tells her that he simply walked out of the door. However, as months pass and Lara continues to push for more information, Shelly finally reveals that Shane went to Alaska. Skeptical of this explanation, Lara tries to inquire further, but Shelly refuses to provide any additional details, claiming that Shane was obsessed with making money.
Nikki graduates from high school in 1993 with a determination to pursue a college degree and escape from her family. Excited about her future, she secures financial aid and plans to enroll in community
college, aspiring to study criminal justice. However, Shelly actively sabotages Nikki's aspirations by stealing her clothes, taking away her bedroom, and cutting her off from any financial support or means of transportation needed to attend school.
Trapped in the house, Nikki endures a barrage of insults and meaningless chores. Shelly accuses her of laziness and insists that she needs to find a job, yet simultaneously prevents her from accessing transportation. Despite the obstacles, Nikki's hope and optimism empower her to gather the emotional and physical strength necessary to stand up against her mother's increasing violence.
Eventually, Shelly sends Nikki to live with Aunt Trish, Dave's sister, whom Nikki barely knows. Aunt Trish lives four hours away from their home. Initially intended as a 10-day cooling-off period, the stay at Aunt Trish's proves to be a saving grace for Nikki. She finds refuge there for months, and Aunt Trish helps her secure odd jobs to earn money. Nikki confides in her aunt about the disturbing situation at home.
Tori, Nikki's younger sister who is now six years old, struggles to comprehend why Nikki left and writes a note expressing that she believes it was due to their mother's bad behavior. This act angers Shelly, who violently wakes Tori in the night by punching her in the face. Afterwards, Shelly repeatedly tells Tori that Nikki is bad and cannot be trusted, claiming that she does not love her. Gradually, the family stops mentioning Nikki altogether.
Nikki eventually returns to Washington and settles in a neighboring tent on Dave's construction site on WhidbeyIsland. Disgusted by Dave's behavior throughout the years, Nikki confronts him and questions why he refuses to leave Shelly. Dave responds that he stays because he loves Shelly and their daughters. Instead of going back home, Nikki finds two jobs in another town and secures a place to stay.
Sami, the middle daughter, takes great care to conceal her bruises, hoping to avoid conversations she does not want to have. Despite the ongoing abuse, she maintains her popularity and beauty at school. As she enters her senior year of high school, she becomes less concerned about protecting her mother. After Sami blames her mother for her
academic struggles, a school counselor calls her in for a meeting to discuss the situation and assess if Sami and Tori are in danger. Fearful of being separated from her parents, Sami retracts her previous statements.
Sami's boyfriend, Kaley, learns to wait for Sami to let herself into the house to ensure that she is not left outside in the cold if Shelly locks her out. However, one night, Sami is kicked out of the house even after being let in. She runs to Kaley's house for refuge. Years later, Dave claims that although he was not home often, he was confident that Shelly would never intentionally harm their daughters.
Sami graduates from high school in 1997 and finds herself uncertain about her next steps. Shelly continues to undermine her attempts to enroll in college, and Sami is determined not to stay in her hometown. She devises a plan with two close friends to leave while Shelly takes Tori out on a shopping trip. Before they depart, Sami assures Tori that if she is not home later, she will leave a note for her. Sami writes a letter to her mother, explaining why she is leaving.
Kaley's mother drives Sami to Lara's house in Bellingham, Washington. Sami spends the rest of the summer at her grandmother's house, and much like Nikki's experience with Aunt Trish, it becomes one of the more pleasant times she has encountered, providing a reprieve from the tumultuous environment she left behind.
Nikki longs to be in touch with her sisters, but her attempts to send messages to Tori go unanswered. Determined not to reconcile with her mother, Nikki ignores Shelly's phone calls until Shelly shows up unannounced, trying to persuade her to come home and attend college nearby.Nikki realizes that they fear her independence because she holds the potential to go to the authorities and reveal what happened to Kathy.
Shelly continues her attempts to sabotage Nikki at her job, prompting Nikki to reach out to Lara and inquire about work at nursing home facilities. Lara informs Nikki that Sami is staying with her. The two sisters
have an emotional reunion after over a year of separation. Nikki secures a job as a nurse's aide, and despite having a good reputation at the facility, anonymous complaints are filed against her, prompting a state investigation. Dave starts parking in the facility's parking lot, causing Nikki to fear that he may try to kidnap her or cause harm.
During the summer when Sami disappeared, Shelly puts increasing pressure on Dave to find out where their daughter has gone. Growing tired of Shelly's constant need for drama, Dave argues that the girls are adults now. However, Shelly remains fearful that one of them will reveal the truth.
Dave attends a summer camp event where Sami and Kaley are present. Sami is furious and confronts her father, revealing that she knows Kathy is dead and that Shelly does not have cancer. Both of them break down in tears as they acknowledge that they have always known the truth. Sami makes a deal with her father, stating that if Shelly fixes her college application paperwork, she will return home. Shelly tries to evade responsibility by claiming that she and Dave are on the verge of divorce, but Sami uses her knowledge of Kathy's death to corner her mother. Sami keeps her renewed relationship with Nikki a secret.
Sami and Kaley visit Shelly, who tries to convince them that her cancer has returned using the same tactics she used with Lara and Carol. However, Sami sees through her lies and reminds her mother that she knows about Kathy. Shelly breaks down and apologizes, but quickly retracts her words. Sami enrolls in college and leaves her childhood home.
Shelly and Dave find themselves in deeper financial trouble as they now have to cover Sami's college costs along with their existing debts. Shelly's spending habits, particularly at the mall, contribute to their financial woes, and it is revealed that she took out $36,000 in personal loans without Dave's knowledge. Her checks frequently bounce, and she even withdraws money from her daughters' bank accounts. Sami's credit
isruined from her childhood, making it difficult for her to sign a lease for an apartment.
Dave, who did not grow up with much money, takes pride in being able to provide for his family. However, he is surprised by the extent of the financial chaos Shelly has created behind his back.
In Sami's absence, Tori becomes the sole target of her mother's relentless abuse. She starts to miss Dave when he is away at work, even though Shelly picks fights with him when he is home. As Tori grows older, she realizes that her mother always instigates the fights, while her father appears to be constantly sad. Alone and frightened, Tori cherishes the weekends when Sami returns home. However, she still believes her mother's lies about Nikki, Lara, and anyone who opposes her.
While attending college, Sami continues to experience Shelly's intrusion in her life through threatening phone calls and unexpected visits during odd hours of the night. Despite Sami's threats to expose the truth if Shelly crosses her, she still finds herself returning home. Shelly manipulates Sami's emotions by feigning illness and garnering sympathy, even going as far as claiming she has been diagnosed with lupus.
Sami embarks on a search for evidence of her mother's lies within the house and makes a grim discovery: some of Kathy's remains. Dave, on the other hand, stops coming home after work. Although he cannot fully articulate why he avoids being at home, he turns to prayer and seeks guidance from God. He feels a sense of obligation to honor his vows and return to Shelly, regardless of the circumstances.
Shelly forms a new friendship with Ron Woodworth while volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. They both assist an elderly woman with numerous cats who is facing eviction from her home. Ron, being a cat
lover himself, helps find new homes for the cats. Tori visits Ron's trailer, which she remembers as being smelly, dirty, and filled with cats. Despite the conditions, she grows close to Ron and refers to him as "Uncle Ron." He shares his books on Egyptology with her and tells her about Egyptian beliefs regarding the afterlife during her visits.
Ron had moved to South Bend, Washington, in 1992 with his partner at the time, Gary Neilson. They had been in a relationship for 17 years but faced strain leading up to their relocation. After Ron's father passesaway in 1996, he becomes increasingly unstable, resulting in the breakup of his relationship with Gary in 1997. Ron's friends, including Sandra Broderick, become concerned about his well-being. Sandra offers him a place to stay in a house she owns in Tacoma, but he declines, mentioning that he plans to move in with new friends, Shelly and Dave Knotek, who are about to purchase a house in Oak Harbor.
However, the planned house purchase in Oak Harbor does not materialize. Ron reaches out to Sandra for financial help to avoid homelessness. She later learns that Ron has hired a lawyer to assist him in preventing the foreclosure of his trailer. When she calls him, he informs her that he gave money to Shelly Knotek to hire the lawyer on his behalf. Sandra visits Ron and his mother in their trailer, but the visit is interrupted when Shelly arrives, abruptly ending the encounter.
Ron, in his mid-fifties, is dealing with loss, grief, and instability, making it challenging for him to regain stability. He becomes estranged from his mother, and when his trailer is foreclosed upon in 1999, he also loses his beloved cats. Tori learns from Shelly that Ron will be temporarily staying in their home until he can get back on his feet. Shelly assigns him to Sami's old room. Dave, who is often away for work, is unaffected by Ron's presence. As Dave's relationship with Shelly continues to deteriorate, he sees Ron as a potential solution to his problems.
Sami, however, is skeptical and fearful, drawing parallels to what happened to Kathy. Despite her knowledge of her mother's actions, she tries to convince herself that history cannot repeat itself. When she visits home to meet Ron, she notices how devotedly he serves Shelly, calling her "Shelly Dear."
Tori remembers that after the second week of Ron's stay, things start to spiral. Shelly uses derogatory slurs against Ron and limits his meals to toast and water along with a few pills. Shelly tells Tori that the pills are sleeping pills, and Tori realizes that the kind and intelligent man she initially met is slowly fading away.
Shelly eventually kicks Ron out of Sami's old bedroom, confiscates his belongings, and forces him to sleep on the floor of the family's computer room. Ron spends most of his time doing yard work outside. Shelly even makes him ask for permission to use the bathroom. Shellyoccasionally asks Tori if she remembers Kathy or if anyone has asked about her, but Tori consistently denies any knowledge or inquiries about Kathy.
Shelly is employed as a case aide at Olympia Area Agency on Aging. In 2000, she receives two write-ups for incidents involving a client whom she told didn't need medication and another client who accused Kathy of stealing from her. Shelly's coworkers express their lack of trust in her and describe her as vengeful, blowing minor issues out of proportion.
In early 2001, shortly after receiving a poor performance review, Ron writes a positive letter about Shelly's exceptional care for his mother and sends it to her supervisor. However, a few months later, Shelly is placed on probation. Her appeals and arguments against the probation prove ineffective, and her behavior becomes increasingly volatile and aggressive. Eventually, her employment is terminated in June 2001.
Sandra, concerned about Ron's well-being, tries to reach out to him but is unsuccessful in contacting him at the Knoteks' house. Worried, she confronts Shelly and threatens to file a missing person's report. Shelly claims to have no knowledge of Ron's whereabouts, but Sandra remains adamant. Eventually, Ron calls Sandra back, revealing that he is hiding at the Knoteks' house due to financial and legal issues. He informs Sandra that the police have a warrant out for his arrest. During the phone call, Shelly can be heard breathing on the line. Sandra offers Ron a place to stay and assistance in finding a job, but he declines. Shelly
later calls Sandra, blaming her for exacerbating Ron's problems and instructing her to leave him alone. Sandra refuses, and Shelly hangs up. Shelly then manipulates Ron into harassing her former coworkers at the Olympia Area Agency on Aging, leading to a no-contact order being issued against him.
Ron's mother, Catherine, expresses dissatisfaction with the care she receives from Ron. Shelly coaches Ron on how to write a rebuttal to counter Catherine's allegations. Shelly also tries to create a rift between Catherine and Ron's brother by presenting herself as a caregiver to Catherine and implying that she is helping care for her. In October 2001, Ron, at Shelly's urging, writes an angry letter to his mother, cutting her out of his life. He also writes letters to his ex-partner, Gary, and his siblings, threatening them and declaring that he will no longer care fortheir mother. Ron announces his plan to move to Seattle, change his identity, and start a new life, instructing his siblings not to share his new name with Catherine. Having severed ties with his friends and family, Ron becomes increasingly dependent on Shelly.
Lara, who is now retired and living in Oregon, has limited contact with Shelly. However, she maintains a close relationship with Nikki and Sami. Nikki confides in Lara that she is thinking about moving to Oregon to find work, and Sami is doing well in college.
During a visit with Lara, Nikki becomes engrossed in a crime show on TV. Lara remembers Nikki becoming quiet while watching the show. The following day, Nikki reveals to Lara that Shelly and Dave killed Kathy.
Shocked by the revelation, Lara advises Nikki that they must inform the authorities. They decide to contact the Pacific County sheriff's deputy, Jim Bergstrom, and send him a detailed three-page document outlining what Nikki witnessed and knows about the crime.
Nikki understands that disclosing the truth to Lara and the authorities is the right thing to do but fears the consequences. She confides in her boyfriend, Chad, who encourages her to go to the authorities in person. Overcoming her apprehension, Nikki and Chad drive to Raymond the next day. Strangely, as they are driving, Chad receives a call from Shelly, inviting Nikki to a trip to Disneyland as if their estrangement didn't exist. Fearful and unsure of her mother's knowledge, Nikki agrees to the trip. She calls Sami to inform her of what happened and admits her long-held suspicions that Shelly likely murdered Shane. Sami, who had accepted Shelly's cover-up story, is unsure of what to believe but acknowledges her own suspicious behavior surrounding Shane's disappearance. Nikki meets with Jim Bergstrom in person and reveals her mother's actions, but no further action is taken. Shelly is not investigated or questioned. Shortly after Nikki discloses their family's secret, she and Chad break up.
Bergstrom attempts to corroborate Nikki's story by contacting Sami, who is not yet ready to speak about the matter. While both Sami and Kaley are intoxicated, Sami confesses to Kaley that Shelly murdered Kathy. Troubled by her past, Sami feels it is a stain on her character. One day, Shelly wonders aloud to Sami if Nikki has told anyone about Kathy. Instead of revealing that Nikki and Larahave already gone to the police, Sami questions why Shelly doesn't go to the authorities herself to end the secret and bring peace to Kathy's family. However, Shelly remains steadfast in her denial and repeats the lie that Kathy committed suicide.
Shelly's primary strategy is isolating and segregating individuals from their support systems to exert greater control over them. She keeps Tori separated from her sisters and deprives her of food. Tori experiences various forms of punishment that leave her feeling powerless, only to be followed by moments of affection and positive attention from Shelly. Sami, the only family member who is still in touch with Nikki, asks Tori if everything is alright at home. Frightened, Tori assures her that everything is fine.
Shelly continues to drive a wedge between Ron and his family by fabricating stories about her health and medical treatments. She falsely claims to have fixed up Catherine's house and bought her a TV, while also accusing Ron of deliberately choosing not to pay rent on his trailer. Catherine initially contacts her children, expressing a desire to move to Michigan to be closer to them, but later changes her mind. Shelly complains to Ron's siblings, spreading lies about his behavior and treatment of their mother. One day, a deputy sheriff arrives at the house while Sami is home, causing her to panic, thinking it may be related to Kathy's death. However, Shelly assures her that the deputy is there to deliver papers for Ron. Overwhelmed, Sami breaks down in tears, revealing the emotional toll the secret has taken on her. Shelly swears that if anyone discovers the truth about Kathy, both she and Dave will take their own lives. She then tells Sami that she wants Ron to leave, but he refuses, pleading with Shelly to let him stay.
At the age of 12, Tori fully comprehends the mistreatment Shelly inflicts upon Ron. Shelly strips him of his clothes and forces him to work outside in his underwear for extended periods, claiming he doesn't "deserve" to wear clothes. Tori is saddened by Ron's cruel treatment and tries to defend him, but Shelly retaliates by making Ron tell Tori that he no longer loves her. Shelly also ensures that Ron and Tori are kept separate when she cannot supervise their interactions.
Shelly frequently shows up unannounced at Sami's college with Ron in tow. Both Sami andKaley notice Ron's deteriorating physical health. Meanwhile, Nikki learns about Ron living at the house and leaves a voicemail for her mother, urging her to remove him before history repeats itself. Dave admits that he also suspected something was wrong with Shelly's treatment of Ron, observing that Ron appeared weaker with each passing weekend.
Eventually, Ron decides to run away. Shelly takes Tori along in search of him. When Tori questions why they are chasing after him despite Shelly often expressing a desire for him to leave, Shelly warns Tori that
he might reveal physical evidence of her abuse. Confused and unsure of how to respond, Tori accompanies Shelly in the search. When they find Ron, he willingly gets in the car without resistance and promises never to run away again. However, Ron's few attempts to escape are short-lived due to Shelly's efforts to leave him with no alternative options.
Ron becomes aware that he must constantly be on high alert whenever Shelly contacts him. Shelly claims that this fear is necessary to keep Ron alert. Meanwhile, Shelly begins to taunt Tori in front of Ron, revealing a hurtful piece of information. She tells Tori that Ron fathered a child while serving in Vietnam, but adds that the baby died, insinuating that it was for the best as Ron wouldn't have made a suitable father. Shelly further belittles Ron by stating, "Probably the best thing for the baby, I think. Who'd want Ron as a dad anyway?"(301). When Tori tries to defend Ron, Shelly dismisses her and continues to berate Ron. She insults him for his weight, his sexuality, and his homelessness, painting a negative picture of him. The chapter highlights Shelly's relentless cruelty towards Ron and her efforts to undermine him in the eyes of Tori.
Shelly brings Ron into the picture to helptake care of a Pearl Harbor survivor named James "Mac" McLintock, who was a family friend. Shelly considers Mac to be a father figure and is heavily involved in his life,
constantly calling and visiting him. Tori also spends time with Mac and enjoys his company. Mac expresses a desire for Shelly to move in and care for him, but instead, she sends Ron. Mac is hesitant about having Ron stay because Ron is gay. Despite having multiple bedrooms available, Shelly insists that Ron sleeps in the basement of Mac's house.
Lara becomes aware of Ron staying with Shelly and their involvement with an elderly man. Concerned, she contacts Bergstrom, the sheriff's deputy, to inquire about the progress of the investigation into the Loreno family. Lara is frustrated to learn that Bergstrom is currently occupied with a trial but assures her that he will follow up on Nikki's allegations later. Lara also reaches out to Shane's maternal grandparents, who confirm that they haven't heard from Shane for a significant period of time.
Shelly reveals to Tori that Mac plans to leave his estate to his dog, Sissy, in his will. Once Sissy passes away, Shelly will inherit Mac's house and estate. Tori finds relief in this news, hoping that it will make her mother happier and alleviate the escalating abuse at home. In September 2001, Shelly becomes Mac's power of attorney. Meanwhile, the family's financial situation worsens, and Dave and Shelly's relationship remains turbulent as Shelly demands that Dave punish Ron for disrespecting her.
Tori receives a call from Shelly informing her that Mac has fallen and been rushed to the hospital. Shelly picks up Tori and reveals that Ron was present at Mac's house when the fall occurred, and Mac's survival is uncertain. They later learn that Mac has passed away. Tori breaks down in tears, but Shelly remains emotionally detached and vague whenquestioned about the details of the fall.
Shelly receives $5,000 from Mac's will, with the promise of more to come when his dog passes away. Mac's estate is estimated to be worth $140,000. The Knoteks take ownership of Mac's dog, who was previously tied to a chain outside.
Shelly blames Ron for Mac's death and taunts him, calling him a murderer. Tori is unsure whom to believe as her mother presents her side of events, claiming that Ron did nothing to prevent Mac's fall and subsequent head injury. Shelly also reveals her plan to deceive Mac's estate lawyer by falsely claiming that Sissy, the dog, has died in order to secure Mac's house and money.
Bergstrom informs Nikki and Lara about the death of the elderly man Shelly cared for, and they express their belief that he was likely murdered. However, Bergstrom remains skeptical about their suspicions. Lara expresses frustration with his reluctance to thoroughly investigate Shelly's alleged crimes. Sami defends Nikki when Tori repeats hurtful comments made by Shelly. Sami attends Nikki's wedding in Oregon but feels sad about the ongoing estrangement between Nikki and Shelly, choosing to wear a "mother's ring" to symbolize her mother's presence.
Dave and Shelly's marriage continues to deteriorate, and they decide to leave Pacific County in search of a fresh start closer to Dave's work. However, their plans are met with suspicion from Mac's former neighbors and the sheriff, who question Shelly's intentions. Shelly uses the threat of having Ron arrested if he makes any mistakes to keep him in line.
Sandra meets Ron for lunch during the summer of 2002 and is shocked by his sickly appearance. Ron looks disheveled and dirty, and he reveals that Shelly is medicating him for depression. His personality has become subdued and checked out. Sandra expresses concern, but Ron dismisses it. Little does Sandra know that this will be the last time she sees Ron alive.
After their lunch, Ron calls Sandra to inform her that Shelly has his cars and refuses to return them. Worried about his safety, Sandra drives to the Knoteks' house to spy on them but decides against knocking on the door and intervening. Sami also notices Ron's extreme weight loss, tooth loss, and declining health. She expresses her concerns to Shelly, but Shelly assures her that Ron is fine and unable to get dentures due to the cost and outstanding warrants for hisarrest.
Nikki agrees to have dinner with her mother, hoping that Shelly's behavior has changed, but she quickly realizes that Shelly is the same rude and abusive woman as always. After this dinner, Nikki decides to cut off contact with her mother and never sees her again.
Tori is afraid of Shelly but keeps the terrible treatment she witnesses towards her, Dave, and Ron to herself. She is unable to confide in anyone else about Shelly's behavior, and she can only describe her mother's actions as driven by a desire to make others suffer.
Shelly receives an anonymous letter suggesting that a gunshot they heard the previous night was related to Kathy. She interrogates Tori about whether anyone has asked her about Kathy recently, but Tori insists that no one has. Shelly then calls Sami to ask the same question, and when she mentions the anonymous letter, Sami realizes that someone outside the family is starting to investigate Kathy's disappearance.
Shelly carefully examines the anonymous letter, trying to determine who might have sent it. Meanwhile, Tori witnesses a disturbing incident where Shelly and Dave stand over Ron, who has fallen from the roof while cleaning tiles. Despite Ron appearing to have broken his leg, Dave insists that he gets up and finishes the job. This pattern repeats when Ron falls from the roof again. Tori notices how Ron is able to walk despite Shelly taking away his shoes and bathing his feet in boiling water, causing them to emit a foul odor reminiscent of dying flesh.
Years later, Dave claims that he and Shelly were unaware of the caustic effects of bleach on human skin and that Shelly frequently purchased bleach during their trips to the grocery store. He struggles to accept the possibility that Shelly mayhave intentionally wanted to harm those around her.
As Ron's health rapidly declines, Shelly's attitude towards him changes. She stops calling him names and blaming him for Mac's death. Shelly tells Dave that Ron attempted suicide by jumping from a tree limb after she mentioned the possibility of dropping him off at a homeless shelter. Meanwhile, Ron lies on a bench on the back porch, and Shelly feeds him whiskey. His feet become extremely swollen. Shelly assures Tori that she will take Ron to Mac's house to recover in peace and promises to check on him daily. However, the next day, Tori wakes up to find that Ron is already gone, and Shelly informs her that she has moved him.
A few days later, Shelly instructs Tori not to tell anyone, especially Sami, what happened to Ron. Tori asks to visit Ron, but Shelly insists that he needs rest. Tori realizes that Ron will never return and that Shelly has no intention of actually checking on him. With Ron gone, Tori is forced to take on his chores. Her mother locks her in a dirty dog crate, berates her for her supposed laziness, and hoses her down with cold water and dog feces.
Shelly allows Tori to visit Sami in Seattle for a few days. When Shelly drops off Tori, Sami notices her mother's bandaged and swollen hand and observes that she seems disheveled and even more agitated than usual. Once Shelly leaves, Tori reveals to Sami that they will be seeing Nikki during the weekend. Tori is still influenced by her mother's stories about Nikki's supposed evil nature, and she panics. However, Sami reassures her and advises Tori not to tell their mother about their meeting with Nikki. Tori agrees.
In the early hours of the morning in July 2003, Shelly calls Dave and tells him that something is wrong with Ron and he needs to come home. However, Dave informs her that he can't return home until Friday. Dave has a gut feeling that Ron is dead, and his intuition proves correct.
Shelly later tells Dave that she found Ron dead on their porch and was concerned that if they called an ambulance, she would be blamed for the extensive bruises, cuts, burns, and marks on his body. Alone with the body, she wraps Ron in sleeping bags and drags him into the chest freezer in thepole building.
Dave receives the shocking news that Ron is dead and that his body is in the chest freezer. Despite the grim reality, Dave struggles to accept that this has happened again, following a pattern that was all too predictable. He attempts to help Shelly dispose of the body, but they are unable to cremate Ron due to a county burn ban. Instead, they decide to bury him and make the grave look as natural as possible. Dave still holds onto the belief that Shelly did not intentionally harm Kathy or Ron and sees her as a protector who was driven by fear of losing her family.
After reconnecting with Nikki, Tori starts to see through Shelly's web of lies more clearly. Tori shares her experiences with Sami, who confides in her about the abuse she endured. Sami is devastated to learn that Tori has suffered the same fate. She tearfully asks Tori why she never told her, but Tori explains that she didn't realize the extent of the abuse Sami and Nikki had experienced in the past. Tori reveals that Ron was also abused by Shelly. Sami informs Tori that this isn't the first time such abuse has occurred within their family, referencing Kathy Loreno's case and how they cremated her in the yard of their old house.
In the aftermath of Ron's death and the revelation of the anonymous letter mentioning Kathy, Shelly's confidence starts to waver. Dave observes the change in Shelly's demeanor but tries to stay strong for their sake, hoping they can navigate through the situation without falling apart. Together, they attempt to create a cover story for Ron's disappearance, claiming that he took his own life after being served with
a restraining order by his mother.
Sami receives devastating news from Tori, learning that Tori has also been subjected to the same torture as Sami, Nikki, Shane, Ron, and Kathy in the past. Tori expresses her fear that Ron might be dead, and Sami becomes emotional upon hearing this. Shelly had recently told Tori that Ron had moved away to find work, but Sami regrets not questioning the story more.
Sami shares Tori's revelations with Nikki, and they both agree that they need to rescue Tori from the dangerous household. Nikki reminds Sami that Shelly likely killed Shane, but Sami is reluctant to accept that possibility, refusing to believe that their mother could harm them or their brother.
Not knowing what to do next, Sami asks Tori if she can return home for the time being. Tori, however, is angry that their mother might get away with another murder and expresses her frustration, stating that she can't take it anymore. After an emotional farewell, Shelly picks up Tori and falsely tells her that Ron has left for a job.
Feeling uneasy about her mother's behavior, Tori calls Sami to share her concerns. Shelly gives Tori pills, but Sami urgently instructs her to throw them up. Tori insists that their mother would never harm her, but Sami reminds her that it is not true, given their past experiences.
Finally, Tori reaches a breaking point and tells Sami that she can no longer stay in the house, fearing for her safety and well-being.
The next day, Tori musters the courage to investigate the pole building in search of evidence that could link Ron's murder to Shelly and Dave. She discovers Ron's belongings and bloodied bandages, which she carefully hides. Tori also finds ashes on the ground and discreetly collects them, placing them in the chicken coop as potential evidence.
Nikki has established a new life for herself in Oregon, attempting to leave her past in Raymond behind. However, in August 2003, she and Sami drive to the Pacific County sheriff's office to express their concerns about Ron's disappearance. Determined to make a difference, they share their story, emphasizing the responsibility that law enforcement bears in preventing tragedies like Ron's death. Nikki's words reflect her belief that the authorities could have intervened and potentially saved Ron's life. Despite their past experiences, this time the sheriff takes them seriously, signaling a glimmer of hope.
Tori, feeling scared and alone in the presence of Shelly and Dave, repeatedly calls Nikki for updates. She anxiously waits for the arrival of law enforcement, worrying that they may never come. Meanwhile, Tori discreetly gathers and prepares evidence that may be crucial to the investigation, leaving notes to guide the authorities when they finally arrive.
The following morning, Deputy Bergstrom arrives at Shelly and Dave's residence accompanied by Child Protective Services caseworkers. Their purpose is to remove Tori from the environment and conduct an investigation into potential child abuse. Shelly is infuriated by this intervention. As Tori gathers her belongings, she quietly whispers to Bergstrom, urging him to obtain a warrant. She also disclosesthe hiding place of Ron's belongings, hoping the authorities will find the evidence she concealed. During the subsequent investigation, Tori shares only a fraction of the abuse she endured, fearing retaliation if she is returned to Shelly and Dave's custody.
Sami receives a frantic call from Shelly, who denies any harm towards Tori. Despite Sami's reservations about Shelly's credibility, she relays the message to Nikki. Shelly also contacts Nikki directly to inform her of Child Protective Services' involvement. Uncertain about the next steps, Nikki reaches out to Lara for guidance, and Lara advises her not to take any calls from Shelly. As the day progresses, Sami contacts her parents to inquire about the situation, but they remain unaware of the reasons behind Tori being placed in state custody. Dave visits Child Protective Services, delivering a bag for Tori along with Post-It Notes that express his confusion and questions about the situation.
Despite testimonies from Tori, Sami, Nikki, and Lara about Shelly's abusive behavior, it is Dave who ultimately seals Shelly's fate. During his visit to the sheriff's office, Dave, tired, nervous, and confused, agrees to an interview without consulting his lawyer. Initially denying any wrongdoing, his story gradually unravels under questioning. Eventually, Dave succumbs to the pressure and confesses everything, revealing the location of Ron's burial and the fact that Kathy was cremated. However, he does not confess to any other crimes. Shelly is subsequently arrested, but she remains silent and does not admit guilt.
Upon receiving the news of the arrest, Nikki cries, recognizing the significance of the arrest occurring on Kathy Loreno's birthday. However, amidst the progress made in uncovering the truth, one person's story remains untold: Shane's, the brother who disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
Sami celebrates her 25th birthday the day after her parents' arrest. Determined to maintain a semblance of normalcy, she and Kaley go out for a steak dinner. Despite the media attention and her parents' faces plastered all over the news, Sami tries to ignore the overwhelming reality. As they drive home, Sami receives a call from Lara, who delivers the shocking news that Dave confessed to Shane's murder. Devastated, Sami realizes that she had clung to the hope that Shane had found happiness elsewhere to avoid facing the truth. Dave's confession, however, is not a full admission of guilt but rather reveals that Shane's body is in the ocean. According to Dave, he and Shanehad a confrontation over a rifle in the pole building, resulting in Shane's accidental shooting. Dave and Shelly were too afraid to report the incident to the police.
Nikki, upon learning about Shane's murder, is utterly devastated and struggles with the intense media attention on her and her family. She longs for a quiet, normal life and feels a deep sense of guilt, believing that she is to blame for Shane's death.
Back to the day after Kathy Loreno's murder in 1994. Shelly becomes fearful that Shane and Nikki might disclose what they know about the crime, but Dave disagrees, believing that Shane is not a blood relative and thus the weakest link. However, Shelly becomes convinced that Shane poses a threat and relentlessly pressures Dave to take action.
Shane possesses stolen photographs of Kathy's corpse, which he shows to Nikki, urging her to go to the police and report their mother. Although Nikki initially agrees, doubts creep in as she fears the consequences of turning in her mother. She worries about jeopardizing her chances of attending college and tearing their family apart. The next morning, Nikki confesses to Shelly that Shane found the photos she took of Kathy. Shelly shares this information with Dave, insisting that he confront Shane and find the incriminating photos. Nikki struggles with her decision to betray Shane, feeling conflicted about whether it ultimately led to his demise.
Nikki hears a heated argument emanating from the pole building, where Shelly berates Shane, blaming him for potentially destroying their family. When Nikki finally sees Shane, he is covered in bruises, a result of the confrontation. Meanwhile, Shelly relentlessly pressures Dave to kill Shane, asserting that he is the true murderer of Kathy and that something must be done. Despite Dave's initial reluctance, Shelly insists that it must appear as an accident. Eventually, six months after Kathy's murder, Shane disappears during the night. Nikki is briefly awakened by an unfamiliar noise but falls back asleep.
In February 1995, Dave shoots Shane in the back of the head. Overwhelmed by shock and disbelief at his own actions, Dave goes inside and informs Shelly, who breaks down in tears and questions why he did it. Confused himself, Dave suggests they handle Shane's body in the same way they did with Kathy - by burning it when the girls are away from the house. Hecremates Shane's remains and disposes of the ashes in the ocean.
Afterward, Dave becomes increasingly concerned about the rifle he used to kill Shane. He buries the weapon in a remote forest area, feeling haunted by its presence, a constant reminder of his actions. Shelly, however, instructs him to retrieve the gun two weeks later. Despite Dave's attempts to burn it, the rifle remains intact and is eventually hidden away in a cabinet, never to be seen again.
Unable to locate the photos of Kathy's corpse, Shelly enlists Dave's help in the search. Worried that the photos could incriminate her, she considers Shane's possession of them a betrayal. Consumed by her desperation, Shelly concocts increasingly elaborate cover-up stories to explain Shane's disappearance. However, Dave reminds her to keep their story simple and straightforward. Present-day Dave still reflects on Shane every day, haunted by his nephew's memory.
Nikki, Sami, and Tori maintain close contact and make a pact to never speak to the media about their family's ordeal. Shelly and Dave face numerous charges and are assigned multi-million-dollar bonds. While it is satisfying to see them under arrest, confronting the reality of their parents' actions is emotionally challenging. Sami is granted guardianship of Tori, who moves to Seattle to live with her.
Shelly tries to contact Sami from jail, knowing that Sami is most likely to answer her calls. She demands specific objects, and Sami reluctantly sends them to her, realizing that her mother is still manipulating her. The thought of her mother in jail saddens Sami, and Nikki confronts her for doing what Shelly asked, making Sami realize the continued manipulation.
In 2004, Dave Knotek pleads guilty to second-degree murder for Shane's death and is sentenced to nearly 15 years in prison. Shelly enters an Alford guilty plea, avoiding a lengthy trial. She initially receives a tentative sentence of 17 years, but at her sentencing hearing two months later, she appears worn out and exhausted. No one in her family speaks in her support, and she tearfully delivers her final remarks to the
judge, blaming Nikki and Sami for abusing Kathy. Despite her attempts to shift blame, the judge increases her sentence to 22 years, charging her with second-degree murder for Kathy's death and manslaughter for Shane's death.
Shelly is slated to be released from prison in 2022 at the age of 68. She continues to claim her innocence and asserts that she did not fully understand the implications of the Alford plea. None of her daughters visit her, and she still insists that she has cancer. Sami wrestles with her own guilt and her relationship with Dave, struggling to move on while grieving for Shane. Tori occasionally longs for her mother's kinder side and misses having a maternal figure in her life. She has developed a close bond with Dave. Shelly attempted to make Sami deliver a letter to Tori, but Sami never carried out the request.
The three Knotek sisters gather throughout the years, and in 2018, Nikki and Sami return to Raymond to revisit the site of their traumatic childhood. They remain bonded together for life, survivors of their parents' abuse, and are there to support one another indefinitely.