Page 47 of Skipping Stones

A week passed, and nothing had changed. Derek hadn’t heard from Olivia, hadn’t told anyone, and was no closer to having answers. He’d ignored a few concerned texts from Aiden. The house was a mess, the laundry pile was the size of a mountain and the kitchen floor was sticky. Leo could tell something was wrong and was throwing tantrums—and food. Derek barely had time to shave most days, and he had almost run out of diapers. He’d never realized just how much Zuzanna did and he was grateful that she was coming back. He’d asked his boss for a few more days.

If Zuzanna was surprised by the state of her employer’s condo or, in fact, of her employer, after her week away, she didn’t say. But Derek felt he needed to explain. To tell her something that made sense.

“Olivia’s been called out of town for a few days. She’ll be back soon.” He desperately needed to believe it. But when he called her office anonymously, he’d been told that Ms. Hastings had transferred to New York. Did he want another attorney? He wanted to scream. He just wanted his wife back. He left messages at the New York office every day but she didn’t reply.

Derek couldn’t eat. He couldn’t sleep, and when Zuzanna took the children out to the park each morning, he broke down, the pain of abandonment by his wife and his father co-mingling into one. the kids were going to grow up without a mother, just like he’d grown up with no father. How could she do this to all of them? Each day, he pulled himself together just in time for them to return. But Zuzanna saw his swollen bloodshot eyes, and he could tell that even if she said nothing, she knew.

Nights were even worse. His bed was cold and empty and the condo was silent, except when Ivy woke up for her bottle. At least, Derek thought morosely, this was one positive of Olivia having not breastfed either of the children. This was one less loss for their daughter.

Finally, he had to go back to work.

“Is everything—what happened to you?” Aiden stood at Derek’s office door with takeout coffee cups in his hand.

“Close the door.”

Aiden kicked it closed with his foot and handed over the coffee. “Derek, what’s wrong? Is it one of the kids? Olivia?” Derek knew just how bad he looked when Aiden added quietly, “Or is it you?”

Derek took a sip of the coffee. “It’s Olivia.” Aiden’s eyebrows rose. “She left. She left the kids. She left me and the kids. She said—” Derek swallowed hard and Aiden saw his Adam’s apple move above his knotted tie. “She said she wasn’t cut out to be a mother. It was hard enough before. I…I don’t know how to do this, Aiden.” He put his head in his hands.

“What does Linney say?” Aiden knew how close the old friends were.

“I haven’t told her yet. I … I just don’t know how.” Derek took a ragged breath. “How do I tell her everything’s so screwed up?”

“Call her.” Derek shook his head. Aiden put his hand on Derek’s shoulder. “If you don’t, I will.” He pointed to Derek’s phone.

* * *

Linney still hadn’t left London for Damascus, but there were positive signs that the tedious bureaucracy would soon be conquered. It had been nice, though, to be back in London, and the spring weather had put a bounce in her step. She had her coat on and was just about to sneak out of work early to join MJ when she felt the phone vibrate in her back pocket.

“Hey, Derek, what’s new? I haven’t heard from you in ages!” They hadn’t gone this long without talking or texting since Linney was dealing with Mac’s alcoholism. When it took Derek a moment to answer, her senses were suddenly on high alert.

“She’s gone.”

Linney was confused. “Who’s gone? And what’s wrong with your voice?” Derek sounded grim. She listened as he explained, sounding detached and cold. It was unbelievable.

“I don’t know what to do. I’m drowning.” A strangled sound escaped.

Linney was shocked at the news, and worried about Derek, who sounded desperate. The comparison to his father was unavoidable.

“I’ll be on the next flight.”

“You don’t have to?—”

“Yes, I do. Don’t argue with me on this. Now, where are the kids?”

“Zuzanna’s with them. I’m at work. Linney, she left almost two weeks ago.”

“Two weeks? And you’re only calling now? Is Aiden with you?” Hearing a sound she took to be confirmation, she continued. “Stay there with him. I’ll call you back in half an hour.”

Linney quickly texted MJ to cancel and managed to find a late flight. She’d have just enough time to throw a few things in a bag. She texted Mac on the way to the airport. He’d just have to understand this was an emergency.

She called Derek back. “I’m on my way. I’ll be there in the morning. I’ll come straight to the condo. Hang tight, okay? Everything will be fine. I promise.” Olivia couldn’t just disappear. Linney would track her down and bring her home.

It felt like the longest flight of her life, but when the plane touched down in Toronto, Linney strode quickly through the airport to the taxi stand. The sun was not up yet. She directed the driver to his waterfront condo and spoke with the doorman, who recognized her from previous visits. He sent her straight up. She knocked on the door, not sure what to expect. When Derek didn’t come to let her in, she tried the doorknob. It was unlocked.

Linney cautiously stepped into Derek and Olivia’s living room. It had always reminded her more of Olivia than of Derek. He was standing at the window, barefoot and in jeans and a rumpled T-shirt, but she didn’t think he was seeing the day come to life. He certainly hadn’t heard her come in. She glanced at her watch. The babies would be awake for the day soon. She stood beside Derek and put her hand lightly on his arm. He turned his head toward her and she almost gasped at how pale he was. He hadn’t shaved and his hair was standing up. The golden flecks in his eyes had been extinguished, and she saw nothing but pain. “I’m here, Derek. Tell me what you need.” He opened his mouth, but no words came out. “It’s okay,” Linney assured him. “We can just stand here if you like.”

Even if it had been two weeks, it was soon clear to Linney that Derek hadn’t processed what was going on yet. She would need to take care of him so he could take care of his kids. Thank goodness they’d kept Zuzanna. Linney led him to the kitchen and sat him down in a chair while she dug through his cupboards for coffee beans. She ground them and started the coffee in silence.

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