Page 15 of Coram House

This day has gone all wrong, but it’s not over yet.

Tomorrow, we’ll meet with Father Aubry. That means I still have this afternoon to try to find something that will lead me to Tommy. A hospital record, a receipt, a goddamn library card—I don’t care what Stedsan says, there must be something out there that proves he existed outside a memory. Then I’ll track down Sarah Dale, Karen Lafayette, and anyone who’s still alive and willing to talk. I don’t need Stedsan or Officer Parker.

The defrost is on high, but the hot air doesn’t seem to affect the skin of frost coating the windshield. I claw at it with my fingernails until ribbons of white litter the dashboard. An animal trying to escape its pen. Then I throw the car in reverse and drive.

June 13, 1989—US District Courthouse

Bill Campbell

Alan Stedsan:Thanks for joining us, Bill. I know you’re busy—shall we jump in?

Bill Campbell:Sure.

AS:How long were you at Coram House?

BC:A couple months.

AS:The record says it was six months.

BC:Sure, then.

AS:After that?

BC:My mother got clean and we lived with family for a while. She went back to school to get her nursing degree. She worked hard to get us back on our feet. I have to say, overall I have no complaints about my time there.

AS:And what about the other children?

BC:What do you mean?

AS:You’re familiar with the complaints other former residents are making, are you not?

BC:Sure.

AS:And?

BC:I never saw anything and—come on, Alan—even if it happened, it was years ago. Half of them are dead. Is this about Sarah Dale?

AS:Sarah Dale?

BC:Yeah, she’s telling everyone about this supposed murder she saw back then.

AS:Supposed?

BC:Jesus, Alan—have you listened to her? Kids set on fire? Pushed out the window? You think they could have kept all that stuff a secret?

AS:There were plenty of secrets at Coram House.

BC:No. There weren’t. Everyone knew Father Foster was a pervert, but this other stuff? It’s pure imagination. Horror story stuff.

AS:You think she’s lying?

BC:Twenty years is a long time. I mean, I can’t even remember what I had for breakfast this morning.

AS:It’s a point of view.

BC:Whatever happened, happened. It’s over. None of it can be proven, so I just don’t see who benefits from dredging all this up.

May 13, 1989—US District Courthouse

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