Read Children of the Fog for Free Online Page B

"What's going on?"
    "April Fools!"
    Leah darted down the sidewalk, then returned a minute later bearing a sweet gift. Sam's Batman birthday cake.
    "April Fools' Day ends at noon, you know," Sadie muttered.
    "Not in Canada, silly. Besides, I couldn't resist."
    Sadie gave her a saccharine smile. "No problem. I'll get you back next year."
    Juggling the cake box, Leah kicked off her shoes and made a beeline for the kitchen. "There's no room in the fridge."
    "Leave it on the counter then," Sadie said, emptying a bag of steaming microwave popcorn into a bowl. "Are you ready for this?"
    "It's a kids' party. How bad can it get?"
    Sadie opened her mouth, but then clamped it shut. Leah didn't have kids.
    And after today, she'll be very thankful of that fact.
    When they entered the living room, it was already in a state of chaos. Toys and kids were scattered on every piece of furniture. In one corner, twin boys jumped on the sofa, fighting over a plastic sword. Victoria, Sam's new school friend, stood nearby with her hands on her hips.
    "Stop it!" the little girl demanded. "Put that down and stop fighting!" Her blond pigtails bounced with every word.
    In the middle of the room, a copper-haired boy sat on the floor, eyes glued to a movie. Beside him, Sam was busy pretending to be a T-Rex, his voice competing with the screams of his friends and the deafening volume of the TV. So far, he was in the lead.
    The look of sheer horror on Leah's face was almost comical.
    "Oh…my…God," she said. "How on earth are you gonna survive all these monsters?"
    Sadie grinned and passed her the popcorn bowl. "That's what I have you for."
    Leah's face paled. "Hey, you only asked me to pick up the cake. You never said anything about me staying."
    "Then you don't get any cake."
    "But that's…blackmail!" Leah sputtered. "Fine then, but I'm leaving after the ice cream."
    The doorbell rang.
    Sadie wiped her fingers on a dishcloth and hurried to the front door. When she opened it, she was relieved to see that the entertainment Philip had hired had arrived.
    Clancy the Clown stood on the porch, his curly orange hair flapping in the wind. His face was caked with white paint and a bulbous red nose covered his own. An exaggerated crimson smile took up the lower half of his face. To Sadie, it seemed more grotesque than happy.
    "Hey, Mrs. O'Connell," the man said in a nasally tone. "Sorry I'm late. My car broke down and—"
    She waved him inside. "Don't worry about it. I'm just thankful you made it. You look very…uh…colorful."
    The clown sported a blue and orange striped jacket, a white shirt and bright yellow baggy pants held up by lime green and gold suspenders. A tiny top hat was perched on his head and a huge daisy was pinned to the left lapel.
    Sadie suspected that one sniff would get her drenched.
    "Do you want cash or a check?" she asked.
    "Cash, if you have it."
    She pulled a wad of twenties from her pocket. She counted out three hundred dollars, paused, then added an extra forty.
    You'd better be worth it, Clancy.
    Handing him the money, she said, "Three hours, right?"
    The clown nodded, placing the bills inside a canvas bag. "I'll let myself out at…" He checked his watch. "Five-fifteen. Then you're on your own."
    "Gee, thanks."
    Clancy smiled. "Did you call the agency?"
    "I've had my hands full with these kids."
    The crimson smile stretched further. "The boss doesn't know I'm late then. Thanks."
    A snort sounded from behind Sadie.
    "If you want to thank her," Leah said wryly, "then round up the little hooligans and do your thing."
    The clown's brown eyes shifted to Sadie. "No problemo. Su casa es mi casa."
    With a bob of his head, Clancy and his neon red, size fourteen shoes clomped into the living room. He was welcomed by a boisterous Sam who shrieked with delight.
    "Oh, Jesus," Sadie moaned.
    "Just think how loud things'll be when Sam starts talking," Leah said. "Once he starts, you won't be able to shut him up."
    "That will be the best day of my