Halfway to the hospital, the fog rose up out of nowhere and thickened the air until it was something so tangible, you could almost grab it by the handful. Bette slowed down, turned on her flashers and defroster, then leaned forward and hunched over the steering wheel. A sudden wind gusted across the road, rocking the car. She swerved and clipped the curb, took a deep shuddery breath and blew it out slowly.

Where are we? Marina asked, peering out the window.

Well, were not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy, Bette smiled wanly, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. Marina gave her one of her signature silent looks that meant one of two things: either she didnt get the reference or she was expecting Bette to continue the conversation. It was hard to tell with her sometimes. Hows Shane?

Marina shifted to the side so she could turn and check their passenger. Her anxious eyes swept over Shanes blank face, hoping to see some sign of awareness. The same.

Bette shook her head. I dont understand it.

Marina examined her hands for a long moment. Shane is a very private person in her feelings. She seems so tough but I think it is because . she hesitated, grasping for the right words, its as if she has always lived behind wallsto keep herself safe, keep from being hurt. She wants what you and Tina have .

Bette winced.

but she wouldnt risk being hurt. So she wouldn’t let anyone in. She wouldn’t let herself love. Not with her heart. Not anyone. Until now. To open up like thatlet herself fall in love….” Marina shook her head. “Shane let her defenses down, maybe only a little, but just enough. And she got hurt. Badly. Now she .

has closed herself off again? Bette asked.

Yes, Marina said slowly, looking over her shoulder again, like a turtle, pulling back into its shell.

Bette sighed. I hope she comes out again.

Marina looked out her window at a world gone ghostly white. So do I.

-x-


The mist flowed up the driveway and through the fence, hovering just above the ground as it crept onto the patio where Cherie was opening her second bottle of Tangueray. Fog has a way of blunting sound so she didnt hear Steve approach from behind. She jumped as he dug his fingers into her shoulders.

You know, he seethed, I might have been able to forgive you if it had been a man.

I doubt it, Cherie snapped and pried his fingers loose.

But a girl? A girl! his voice cracked. What the ***** was that, huh?

Cherie could picture his face, reddening with every word, as she poured three fingers of gin into her glass, added a handful of ice. You really want to know?

Yeah! I want you to explain it to me!

Cherie took a long drink, turned the glass in her hand, listened to the ice clink against the sides.

Were you just horny? Bored? Was that it?

Cherie turned halfway round in the chair and leveled a gaze at her husband. No. I was lonely. No, that wasnt even it. I was empty. Shane filled me up.

With what? Steve snorted. Her hand? Her tongue?

Cherie looked down at her glass, took another swallow. With her love, she answered softly.

Bullshit!

No, Steve. Not bullshit. Truth.

Youre telling me you were in love? With her? He paled and clenched his fists at his sides.

Yes, Steve, I am in love with her.

Steve shook his head. Thats impossible!

Why? Because your ***** is so irresistible? Cherie laughed bitterly.

Youre my WIFE, goddamnit! he yelled.

Im your possession! she yelled back. You own me, Steve! You bought me. For a hundred grand and some shares of stock, my parents handed me over to you. I know it. You know it. But you never loved me anymore than you love this house, your cars, she gestured. Im just one more thing to have.

Steve slapped her. Hard. Cheries head rocked back. She gave him a long silent stare. And then she smiled. Thats always your solution, Steve.

He hit her again. Harder, this time.

Her cheek reddened with the mark of his hand. You want the truth, Steve? Do you?

God damn you, you ***** *****! His eyes bulged, veins stood out in his forehead.

Sure, go ahead! You know all about whores, dont you? Cherie struggled to her feet, staggered slightly. You think I didnt know? About your mistresses? Your prostitutes? How dumb do you think I am?

Dumb enough to ***** a girl half your age, thats how dumb, Steve yelled and knocked the glass out of her hand. The fog muted the sound of shattering glass and ice cubes skittering across the brick pavers.

Cherie laughed sarcastically. *****! Everything reduces to that, doesnt it, Stephen? She spat out his given name. *****. And ***** over!

She picked up the bottle, took a long pull, ran her fingers through her hair turned damp in the mist. Shane believed in me, Steve. ME! And she gave me more love in those few weeks than youve given me in twenty years of marriage. Do you hear me? Love, Steve! Not *****, love! She made me feel alive. Wanted. Adored. Beautiful. You made me feel cheap. Bought and paid for with every goddamned check you wrote.

Steve grabbed her by the hair. You *****! he screamed. You made a fool of me! In front of our daughter!

Thats really it, isnt it? Thats what youre so pissed about! If it had been Clea.

I would have shot that ***** myself! Right through the head! he hissed.

No you wouldnt, Cheries eyes blazed. You would have hired it done. But you wouldnt have done it yourself. Thats what youre all about, Steve. Paying someone else to do something you dont have the guts to do yourself! She knew she was crossing a line. But she didnt care. It was too late to lie. Not to herself. Not to him.

He spun her around by her hair and threw a swift crushing blow to her jaw. Cherie felt her jaw shatter and shift when his fist connected. She shoved him back. He hit her again. And again. Her nose crunched. She screamed.

Daddy! Stop it! Clea threw herself at Steve, grabbing his arm. He shoved her away and she fell to the ground, scraping the palms of her hands on the pavers. He grabbed Cheries throat and squeezed hard, screaming and cursing.

Clea looked around frantically, grabbed the green gin bottle and broke it over her fathers head. He fell heavily to the ground and her mother crumpled, bleeding from her nose and mouth.

Mom!!!! she screamed.

-x-

As suddenly as it came, the fog seeped away from the road and Bette punched the accelerator. She pulled into the Emergency Room driveway right ahead of an ambulance that wailed in the heat.