Children of the Fog

by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

  "So…" Leah drawled as she crossed her long legs. "What's going on with Phil the Pill?"

  Sadie scowled. "That's what I'd like to know. He says he's working long nights at the firm."

  "And you're thinking, what? That he's screwing around?"

  Leah never was one to beat around the bush—about anything.

  "Maybe he's just working hard," her friend suggested.

  Sadie shook her head. "He got home at two this morning, reeking of perfume and booze."

  "Isn't his firm working on that oil spill case? I bet all the partners are pulling late nights on that one."

  Sadie snorted. "Including Brigitte Moreau."

  Brigitte was her husband's right-hand-woman, as he'd made a point of telling her often. Apparently, the new addition to Fleming Warner Law Offices was indispensable. The slender, blond lawyer, with a pair of breasts she'd obviously paid for, never left Philip's side.

  Sadie wondered what Brigitte did when she had to pee.

  Probably drags Philip in with her.

  "It could be perfectly innocent," Leah suggested.

  "Yeah, right. I was at the conference after-party. I saw them together, and there was nothing innocent about them. Brigitte was holding onto Philip's arm as if she owned him. And he was laughing, whispering in her ear." She pursed her lips. "His co-workers were looking at me with sympathetic eyes, pitying me. I could see it in their faces. Even they knew."

  Leah winced. "Did you call him on it?"

  "I asked him if he was messing around again."

  Just before Sam was born, Philip had admitted to two other affairs. Both office flings, according to him. "Both meant nothing," he had said, before blaming his infidelities on her swollen belly and her lack of sexual interest.

  "What'd he say?" Leah prodded, with the determination of a pit-bull slobbering over a t-bone steak.

  "Nothing. He just stormed out of the house. He called me from work just before you came over. Said I was being ridiculous, that my accusations were hurtful and unfair." She lowered her voice. "He asked me if I was drinking again."

  "Bastard. And you wonder why I'm still single."

  Sadie said nothing. Instead, she thought about her marriage.

  They'd been happy—once. Before her downward spiral into alcoholism. In the early years of their marriage, Philip had been attentive and caring, supporting her decision to focus on her writing. It wasn't until she started talking about having a family that things had changed.

  She flicked a look at Leah, grateful for her loyal companionship and understanding. Fate had definitely intervened when it had led her to Leah. Her friend had gone above and beyond the duty of friendship, dropping everything in a blink if she called. Leah was her life support, especially on the days and nights when the bottle called her. She'd even attended a few AA meetings with Sadie.

  And where was Philip? Probably with Brigitte.

  "Come on, my friend," Leah said, grinning. "I know you really want to swear. Let it out."

  "You know I don't use language like that."

  "You're such a prude. Philip's an ass, a bastard. Let me hear you say it. Bas…tard."

  "I'll let you be the foul-mouthed one," Sadie said sweetly.

  "Fuckin' right. Swearing is liberating." Leah took a careful sip of tea. "So how's the book coming?"

  Sadie smiled. "I finished the text yesterday. Tomorrow I'll start on the illustrations. I'm so excited about it."

  "Got a title yet?"

  "Going Batty."

  Leah's pencil-thin brow arched. "Hmm…how appropriate."

  Sadie gave her a playful slap on the arm. "It's about a little bat who can't find his way home because his radar gets screwed up. At first, he thinks he's picking up radio signals, but then he realizes he's picking up other creatures' thoughts."

  "That's perfect. Sam'll love it."

  "I know. I can't believe I waited so long to write something special for him."

  A few months ago, Sadie decided to take a break from writing another Lexa Caine mystery, especially since her agent had secured her a deal for two children's picture books.

  "It's been a welcome break," she admitted. "Lexa needed a year off. A holiday."

  "Some break," Leah said. "I've hardly seen you. You've been working day and night on Sam's book."

  "It's been worth it."

  "Is it harder than writing mysteries?"

  "Other than the artwork, I think it's easier," Sadie said, somewhat surprised by her own answer. "But then, Sam inspires me. He's my muse. Kids see things so differently."

  "Wish I had one."

  Sadie's jaw dropped. "A kid?"

  "A muse, idiot."

  Sadie grinned. "How's the steamy romance novel going?"

  "I'm stumped. I've got Clara trapped below deck on the pirate ship, locked in the cargo hold with no way out."

  Since the success of her debut novel, Sweet Destiny, Leah had found her niche and was working on her second historical romance.

  "What's in the room?"

  Leah gave her a wry grin. "Cases of Bermuda rum."

  "Well, she's not going to drink it, so what else can she do?"

  "I don't know. She can't get the crew drunk, if that's what you're thinking. "

  "What if the ship caught on fire?"

  Excitement percolated in Leah's eyes. "Yeah. A fire could really heat things up. Pun intended."

  They were silent for a moment, lost in their own thoughts.

  "Hey," Sadie said finally. "I've been tempted to cut my hair. What do you think?"

  Leah stared at her. "You want to get rid of all that beautiful hair? Jesus, Sadie, it's past your bra strap." In a thick Irish accent, she said, "Have ye lost your Irish mind just a wee bit, lassie?"

  "It's too much work," Sadie said with a pout.

  "What does Philip think?"

  "He'd be happy if I kept it long," she replied, scowling. "Maybe that's one reason why I want to cut it."

  Leah laughed. "Then you go, girl."

  Half an hour later, they parted ways—with Leah eager to get back to the innocent Clara and her handsome, sword-wielding pirate, and Sadie not so thrilled to be going back to an empty house. As she climbed into her sporty Mazda3, she smiled, relieved as always that she had chosen practical over the flashy and pretentious Mercedes that Philip drove.

  She glanced at the clock and heaved a sigh of relief. It was almost time to pick Sam up from school.

  Her heart skipped a beat.

  Maybe there's been some progress today.

  2

  The instant Sam saw her standing in the classroom doorway, he let out a wild yell and charged at her, almost knocking her off her feet.

  "Whoa there, little man," she said breathlessly. "Who are you supposed to be? Tarzan?"

  "We just finished watching Pocahontas," a woman's voice called out.

  "Hi, Jean," Sadie said. "How are things today?"

  Jean Ellis taught a class of children with hearing impairments.

  "Same as usual," the kindergarten teacher replied. "No change, I'm afraid."

  Sadie tried to hide her disappointment. "Maybe tomorrow."

  She studied Sam, who could hear everything just fine.

  Why won't he speak?

  "Did you have a good day, honey?"

  Ignoring her, Sam pulled on a winter jacket and stuffed his feet into a pair of insulated boots.

  "It was a great day," Jean said, signing as she spoke. "Sam made a friend. A real one this time."

  Sadie was astounded. Sam's first real friend. Well, unless she counted his invisible friend, Joey.

  "Hey, little man," she said, crouching down to gather him in her arms. "Mommy missed you today. But I'm glad you have a new friend. What's his name?"

  When Sam didn't answer, Sadie glanced at Jean.

  "Victoria," the woman said with a wink.

  Grinning, Sadie ruffled Sam's hair. "Okay, charmer. Let's go."

  With a quick wave to Jean, she reached for Sam's ha
nd. She was always amazed by how perfectly it fit into hers, how warm and soft his skin was.

  Outside in the parking lot, she unlocked the car and Sam scampered into the booster seat in the back. She leaned forward, fastened his seatbelt, then kissed his cheek. "Snug as a bug?"

  He gave her the thumbs up.

  Pulling away from the school, she flicked a look in her rearview mirror. Sam stared straight ahead, uninterested in the laughing children who waited for their parents to arrive. Her son was a shy boy, a loner who unintentionally scared kids away because of his inability to speak.

  His lack of desire to speak, she corrected.

  Sam hadn't always been mute.

  Sadie had taught him the alphabet at two. By the age of three, he was reading short sentences. Then one day, for no apparent reason, Sam stopped talking.

  Sadie was devastated.

  And Philip? There were no words to describe his erratic behavior. At first, he seemed mortified, concerned. Then he shouted accusations at her, insinuating so many horrible things that after a while even she began to wonder. During one nasty exchange, he had grabbed her, his fingers digging into her arms.

  "Did you drink while you were pregnant?" he demanded.

  "No!" she wailed. "I haven't had a drop."

  His eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Really?"

  "I swear, Philip."

  He stared at her for a long time before shaking his head and walking away.

  "We have to get him help," she said, running after him.

  Philip swiveled on one heel. "What exactly do you suggest?"

  "There's a specialist downtown. Dr. Wheaton recommended him."

  "Dr. Wheaton is an idiot. Sam will speak when he's good and ready to. Unless you've screwed him up for good."

  His insensitive words cut her deeply, and after he'd gone back to work, she picked up the phone and booked Sam's first appointment. She didn't feel good about going behind Philip's back, but he'd left her no choice.

  By the time Sam was three and a half, he had undergone numerous hearing and intelligence tests, x-rays, ultrasounds and psychiatric counseling, yet no one could explain why he wouldn't say a word. His vocal chords were perfectly healthy, according to one specialist. And he was right. Sam could scream, cry or shout. They had heard enough of that when he was younger.

  Sadie finally managed to drag Philip to an appointment, but the psychologist—a small, timid man wearing a garish red-striped tie that screamed overcompensation—didn't have good news for them. He sat behind a sterile metal desk, all the while watching Philip and twitching as if he had Tourette's.

  "Your son is suffering from some kind of trauma," the man said, pointing out what seemed obvious to Sadie.

  "But what could've caused it?" she asked in dismay.

  The doctor fidgeted with his tie. "Symptoms such as these often result from some form of…of abuse."

  Philip jumped to his feet. "What the hell are you saying?"

  The man's entire body jerked. "I-I'm saying that perhaps someone or something scared your son. Like a fight between parents, or witnessing drug or alcohol abuse."

  Sadie cringed at his last words. The look Philip gave her was one of pure anger. And censure.

  The doctor took a deep breath. "And of course, there is the possibility of physical or sexual—"

  Without a word, Philip stormed out of the doctor's office.

  Sadie ran after him.

  He had blamed her, of course. According to him, it was her drinking that had caused her miscarriages. And Sam's delayed verbal development.

  That night, after Sam had gone to bed, Philip had rummaged through every dresser drawer. Then he searched the closet.

  She watched apprehensively. "What are you doing?"

  "Looking for the bottles!" he barked.

  She hissed in a breath. "I told you. I am not drinking."

  "Once a drunk…"

  She cowered when he approached her, his face flushed with anger.

  "It's your fault!" he yelled.

  Guilt did terrible things to people. It was such a destructive, invisible force that not even Sadie could fight it.

  She looked in the rearview mirror and took in Sam's heart-shaped face and serious expression. She wondered for the millionth time why he wouldn't speak. She'd give anything to hear his voice, to hear one word. Any word. She'd been praying that the school environment would break through the language barrier.

  No such luck.

  Suddenly, she was desperate to hear his voice.

  "Sam? Can you say Mommy?"

  He signed Mom.

  "Come on, honey," she begged. "Muhh-mmy."

  In the mirror, he smiled and pointed at her.

  Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. One day he would speak. He'd call her Mommy and tell her he loved her.

  "One day," she whispered.

  For now, she'd just have to settle for the undeniably strong bond she felt. The connection between mother and child had been forged at conception and she always knew how Sam felt, even without words between them.

  She turned down the road that led to the quiet subdivision on the southeast side of Edmonton. She pulled into the driveway and pushed the garage door remote, immediately noticing the sleek silver Mercedes parked in the spacious two-car garage.

  Her breath caught in the back of her throat.

  Philip was home.

  "Okay, little man," she murmured. "Daddy's home."

  She scooped Sam out of the back seat and headed for the door. He wriggled until she put him down. Then he raced into the house, straight upstairs. She flinched when she heard his bedroom door slam.

  "I guess neither of us is too excited to see Daddy," she said.

  Tossing her keys into a crystal dish on the table by the door, she dropped her purse under the desk, kicked off her shoes, puffed her chest and headed into the war zone.

  But the door to Philip's office was closed.

  She turned toward the kitchen instead.

  The war can wait. It always does.

  Passing by his office door an hour later, she heard Philip bellowing at someone on the phone. Whoever it was, they were getting quite an earful. A minute later, something hit the door.

  She backed away. "Don't stir the pot, Sadie."

  Philip remained locked away in his office and refused to come out for supper, so she made a quick meal of hotdogs for Sam and a salad for herself. She left a plate of the past night's leftovers—ham, potatoes and vegetables—on the counter for Philip.

  Later, she gave Sam a bath and dressed him for bed.

  "Auntie Leah came over today," she said, buttoning his pajama top. "She told me to say hi to her favorite boy."

  There wasn't much else to say, other than she had finished writing the bat story. She wasn't about to tell him that she had ordered his birthday cake and bought him a bicycle, which she had wrestled into the house by herself and hidden in the basement.

  "Want me to read you a story?" she asked.

  Sam grinned.

  She sat on the edge of the bed and nudged her head in the direction of the bookshelf. "You pick."

  He wandered over to the rows of books, staring at them thoughtfully. Then he zeroed in on a book with a white spine. It was the same story he chose every night.

  "My Imaginary Friend again?" she asked, amused.

  He nodded and jumped into bed, settling under the blankets.

  Sadie snuggled in beside him. As she read about Cathy, a young girl with an imaginary friend who always got her into trouble, she couldn't help but think of Sam. For the past year, he'd been adamant about the existence of Joey, a boy his age who he swore lived in his room. She'd often catch Sam smiling and nodding, as if in conversation. No words, no signing, just the odd facial expression. Some days he seemed lost in his own world.

  "Lisa says you should close your eyes," she read.

  Sam's eyes fluttered shut.

  "Now turn this page and use your imagination."

>   He turned the page, then opened his eyes. They lit up when he saw the colorful drawing of Cathy's imaginary friend, Lisa.

  "Can you see me now?" she read, smiling.

  Sam pointed to the girl in the mirror.

  "Good night, Cathy. And good night, friend. The end."

  She closed the book and set it next to the bat signal clock on the nightstand. Then she scooted off the bed, leaned down and kissed her son's warm skin.

  "Good night, Sam-I-Am."

  His small hand reached up. With one finger, he drew a sideways 'S' in the air. Their nightly ritual.

  "S…for Sam," she said softly.

  And like every night, she drew the reflection.

  "S…for Sadie."

  Together, they created an infinity symbol.

  She smiled. "Always and forever."

  She flicked off the bedside lamp and eased out of the room. As she looked over her shoulder, she saw Sam's angelic face illuminated by the light from the hall. She shut the door, pressed her cheek against it and closed her eyes.

  Sam was the only one who truly loved her, trusted her. From the first day he had rested his huge black-lashed eyes on hers, she had fallen completely and undeniably in love. A mother's love could be no purer.

  "My beautiful boy."

  Turning away, she slammed into a tall, solid mass. Her smile disappeared when she identified it.

  Philip.

  And he wasn't happy. Not one bit.

  He glared down at her, one hand braced against the wall to bar her escape. His lips—the same ones that had smiled at her so charismatically the night they had met—were curled in disdain.

  "You could've told me Sam was going to bed."

  She sidestepped around him. "You were busy. As usual."

  "What the hell's that supposed to mean?"

  She cringed at his abrasive tone, but said nothing.

  "You're not going all paranoid on me again, are you?" He grabbed her arm. "I already told you. Brigitte is a co-worker. Nothing more. Jesus, Sadie! You're not a child. You're almost forty years old. What the hell's gotten into you lately?"

  "Not a thing, Philip. And I'll be thirty-eight this year. Not forty." She yanked her arm away, then brushed past him, heading for the bedroom.

  Their marriage was a sham.

  "Doomed from the beginning," her mother had told her one night when Sadie, a sobbing wreck, had called her after Philip had admitted to his first affair.