The Living Agony

Chapter 1

PART I

CHAPTER 1

SAGE

"Mom ?"

"Yes, my dear ?"

"Where's Dad ?"

Sage looked at his mother innocently. His hair, the same chocolate brown as her, floated in a very New Orleanish hot summer wind.

"Dad's inside, honey, listening to grown ups' conversations."

The boy swang his pale little legs grazed on the knees, struggling to go higher and higher on the swing. There was something very sad when you saw him, his wide pale blue eyes watching the sky, his messed up hair on the face of a sulky child. The garden where he was was hidden behind a high building reminding quite easily a hospital, thanks to the funless dirty white of the walls. It spread an either reassuring or frightening shadow on the green lawn. The park was flowerless, and nothing seemed to be able to grow, except for some sallow weed here and there.

"Mom?"

Squatting on her heels, she turned a beautiful oval face to him. She was wearing a night blue dress decorated with a milky way of glitters. This firmament was as beautiful as uncanny. She seemed to wear this evening dress you wear to impress people at a cocktail of a very strict and codified world. All this contrasted with the old garden and the morning sun.

"Yes?"

"Can you push me?"

The lady sighed and gave a heartbreaking look to his son's sweet little face. "You know I can't, my dear."

Sage looked down and stared at his feet. He had almost made the grass disappear by dint of taking run-up to swing. His mother stood up and embraced him, but he only felt cold and shivers down his spine.

"Don't be sad, sweetheart. It's ok" his mother whispered in a soft and clear voice.

Sitting behind her desk, Helen Thomas was told a story that wasn't exceptional, but very sad.

"They were going to a charity gala. You know, my brother was a doctor, a famous cardiologist. They always attended those kinds of events. They were good people. I mean, we can be good people even if we don't do that kind of stuff ... But them, they gave money to charities. Anyway... It's... all so sudden. A car crash on the motorway."

"It is awful. I'm sincerely sorry" said the old lady with a worked but truly compassionate voice.

"Thank you... I'm kind of upset. How is Sage?"

Helen's pink old lips wrinckled. She was thinking about the way she'd answer.

"Well, he seems quite fine, actually. It's just... Well, you know, it's not rare... He seems to have created some... imaginary friends. I saw him several times talk to himself."

The man in front of her was pretty agitated.

"But it's normal, isn't it? After going back to school and making new friends, he'll be better. I'll talk to him."

The social assistant nodded gravely. She could not do more. She gave him the papers. "Without a doubt. Sign here please."

The man took a pen as firmly as he could and signed, his eyes looking nowhere. Sage's father got out of the building facing the garden. He seemed delighted despite his boney face and his distressed look.

"It's done" he simply said.

His mother sighed again sadly in spite of the smile she showed. Sage looked at his parents. His child eyes blurred with tears, his chin began to tremble. He had understood what was going on, maybe too well for a little boy.