The Fog of Forgetting by G. A. Morgan Read Free Book Online

the long-awaited picnic. A handful of shrubby, pine-strewn islands lay scattered to the east: Carp, Hutchin’s, Goat (Little and Big), and the Ducks were the closest to pick from. Teddy, who couldn’t care less where they went, was pumping his hands in the air to an imaginary beat. He’d given up the goggles and flippers for small, stiff braids that stuck out of his head like quills, set off by a gift from Frankie: a handmade necklace made of mussel shells. He sang loudly between bites:
    You can be at the party gettin’ loothe
    But you can catch a bullet in your bubblegoothe .
    â€œCome again, Ted?” their dad asked, looking up from yesterday’s paper. “A bubblegoose?”
    Chase smirked into his scrambled eggs.
    â€œIt means your butt, Dad,” said Knox.
    â€œHmmm,” said Jim, frowning.
    â€œIt’s a song, by a singer from Haiti.”
    â€œWhere on earth would you boys learn that?” Jim asked, looking at Teddy.
    â€œFrankie,” mumbled Teddy.
    Jim raised his eyebrow, still perplexed.
    â€œEvelyn and Frankie? The girls next door?” Chase reminded him.
    Silence.
    â€œBecause they’re—you know— from there? ” Chase added, as if he were talking to a two year old.
    Jim nodded, but it was clear from his expression that this was the first time he had actually digested this fact.
    â€œHaiti, huh?” he mumbled.
    â€œReally, Dad?” Chase groaned. “You know, there’s this planet called Earth, it rotates in space, and we all live on it—”
    â€œYeah, Dad, seriously, phone home sometimes.” Knox rolled his eyes. “And people think I have ADD.”
    â€œThat reminds me,” Grace interrupted, trying to change the subject. “I’d like to invite Evelyn and Frankie on the picnic—what do you think?”
    A chorus of “yesses” chimed in from around the table, shut down by their dad’s frantic karate-chop waving.
    â€œNo. I’m only here for a few more days, and I want family time. Just Team Thompson today.”
    â€œYou gotta be kidding me, Dad!” Knox erupted. “Team Thompson? Last time I checked, you were at work when they picked our team!” He looked at Chase for backup.
    Chase shrugged. Knox should know by now that parents, by definition, were hypocritical, telling you one thing—like to stop watching TV— then doing the complete opposite themselves.
    Their dad frowned. “Now, boys—”
    Just then, the phone in the living room rang out, a shrill, old-fashioned ring, saving them from a lecture. Jim got up to answer it. When he came back, his eyes skipped off his wife’s and onto the floor.
    â€œBad news from the lab, I’m afraid. There’s been a containment breach. Two of the lab assistants are infected, and all our procedures have to be examined. The place is in an uproar. I have to go back immediately.”
    â€œWhat!” roared Knox. “You just got here!”
    â€œI’m sorry, Knox—” his dad started to say.
    â€œTeam Thompson—what a joke.” Knox cut him off and stormed outside, making sure to slam the screen door extra hard.

    An hour later, Chase found Knox in his fort and gave him an update: No picnic. Mom had to drive Dad to the airport, two and a half hours away. He and Knox were to go over to Mrs. Dellemere’s and ask if Teddy could stay there with her for the rest of the day.
    â€œShe doesn’t trust us to babysit?” Knox asked grumpily. “Figures.”
    â€œAnd we’re supposed to stay over there, too,” Chase added.
    â€œYou gotta be kidding me! She thinks we need babysitting? Our parents stink.” He kicked the side of the fort in frustration. “I can’t believe we’re not going out on the boat! I’m so sick of Dad and his stupid work. I hope he never comes back!” Knox jumped down from the fort and tore down the path toward Secret