Mistaken Identity

Chapter 1

…December 31, 2005...

Carissa drove her car along Boulevard Road trying to find Bay View Road. Her son Jack lay sleeping in the backseat of the car. Carissa was in Salem on business. She wanted to expand her company and thought Salem would be the perfect spot to do it. Jack was upset with her for taking him away from his father so soon after Christmas. He was a five year old boy who just wanted to be home for the holidays with both of his parents.

Jack awoke from his slumber and rubbed his eyes. "Mommy, where are we?" He looked out the window into the night as they drove along the road. "I want to go home! I want my Daddy!" Jack kept whining from the back seat.

"Shush baby, I'm trying to find where we are going. Honey, please go back to sleep and when you wake up we'll be in our hotel." Carissa looked at every street sing as she drove along trying to find Elm Street which was her next turn.

"But Mommy!" Jack whined. "I want my own bed. I want Daddy. I want to go home." Jack persisted in crying for all the comforts of home, listing every toy he missed and his cat Whiskers.

Carissa pulled up to the stop sign and reached around to try and settle her son down. "Jack we'll be heading home in a few days. I promise. Right now I have some business to take care of that can't wait. Please be patient until we get to the hotel." She turned her head to see if traffic had cleared so she could turn right onto Elm Street. She heard the back door open and Jack jumped out of the car and ran down the street. "JACK!" Carissa yelled out to him. She pulled her car to the side of the road and parked it before getting out to chase after her son. "Jack, where are you?" She called out into the night.

Jack scrambled along the walk clad only in his pajamas and bathrobe; a Christmas present from grandparents he had yet to meet. He came face to face with another little boy who looked identical to him. It scared him to see a boy who looked exactly like him right down to the pajamas and robe they both wore. He ran away from the little boy and spotted a kitten crawling under the bushes. Jack got down on his hands knees and crawled under the bushes to get the kitten.

"Jack?" Carissa called out again. "There you are. Don't ever do that to me again. You could've been hit by a car." Carissa grabbed his hand and pulled him back to the car. She buckled Jack into the back seat and drove off. "Why did you run off like that?" She asked him.

"I want my DADDY!" Screamed a frightened Zach from the back seat.

Jack ran out from under the bushes watching as his mother's car drove off. "MOMMY!" Jack spotted the kitten again and chased after it. "Here kitty, kitty." He ran out into the street and was struck down by a car.

…March 2, 2009…

"Jack honey, we're going to a new town today to see a new doctor there. I hear she's very nice. Her name is Dr. Marlena Evans Black. You're going to love her. I've already met with her and told her all about you. You are such a special little boy. I can't wait for you to meet her." It had been a little over three years since Jack had stopped speaking. At first she thought it was because he was mad at her for taking him from his father on the holidays. She kept her promise and they returned home after only two days in Salem. Jack still wouldn't speak. He didn't even run into his father's arms the way he always did when he saw him. Carissa began to worry after several weeks when Jack kept up with the silent treatment.

Zack's ears perked up at the name of Marlena. The name sounded familiar to him. He smiled when he heard it. It reminded him of home. He missed his Mommy and Daddy and big brother Shawn. He wondered if they were thinking of him too. He had no idea who this woman was, but she had always treated him well. He didn't understand why she insisted she was his mother or why she called the man his father. He knew they weren't.

Carissa looked at Jack smiling and thought it was a good sign. She knew he had been through a lot with the divorce. Doug was an angry man. He couldn't understand why his son left a happy boy and returned such a solemn one. He accused Carissa repeatedly of filling the boys head with lies about him. Jack never talked to his father again after returning home from the three day stay in Salem with his mother. Carissa and Doug spent months fighting until she got fed up with it and asked for a divorce. Doug was so upset with his son's behavior that he wanted nothing to do with the boy. Full custody was giving to Carissa.

Zack went to his room to play with his toys. He missed his family and often drew pictures of them. He hated having to go to so many doctors. The lady wanted him to talk, but he didn't know her and thought she was a bad person for keeping him away from his family for so long. He was home schooled because Carissa and the doctors thought it was best for him since he was constantly in and out of hospitals. Zack could talk, but he never let on to Carissa or the doctors that he could. He wanted to go home.

…Salem, USA…

It took a long time for Bo and Hope to move on after the death of their younger son. Ciara helped a lot to bring them back together. She was an energetic little four-year-old who was adored by everyone who knew her. Although they had another child, Zack was never far from their hearts or their thoughts. Not a day passed without a thought of Zack. Hope appeared happy to everyone on the outside, but on the inside she still grieved for her little boy everyday. He was their miracle baby. After Shawn was born, she and Bo tried for years to have another child. It wasn't until Shawn was a teenager himself when they were finally blessed with another child. And five years later their little girl Ciara entered the world.

Hope looked over at Ciara who was busily eating her pancakes. It was her favorite breakfast. Zack always loved when Bo made pancakes for him in the morning. She remembered his cute little laugh and the smile that melted her heart.

"Mommy I finished." Ciara pulled her out of her reverie. "Can I go play now?" She asked her mother.

"Sure sweetheart." She caressed her daughter's cheek. "Come here and give Mommy a big hug." Ciara climbed onto her lap and hugged her tight. "Thank you so much. I love my morning hugs from you."

"I love you Mommy." Ciara smiled up at her mother. "I'm going to play now." Ciara jumped down from Hope's lap and trotted out of the kitchen.

Hope wandered to the fireplace mantle. She picked up the last family photo taken with Zack. "I wonder what you would look like now, my angel baby. Would you be playing baseball like Shawn did when he was your age? You'd be eight now, almost nine. I still miss you so very much." Hope kissed her fingers and touched Zack's face before returning the picture to the mantle.

"Hey Hope. Are you alright?" Bo looked worried when he came in the house and saw Hope talking to a picture of Zack. Their little boy had been the highlight of their days. He missed him as much now as he did when he first lost his son. The days had gotten better since that fateful day, but nothing would ever replace Zack or the memories he had of him. Tiny man would live forever in his heart. "Hope?" He went over to her and wrapped his arms around his wife.

"Bo, I didn't hear you come in." She returned the hug before reaching up her head to kiss his lips. "I was thinking about Zack. I don't know why he's been on my mind so much these days."

"I miss him too. I keep wondering what he'd be like now. Sometimes I think I can't go on without hearing his voice one more time, or seeing his smile. He was our heart." Bo held onto Hope for awhile just enjoying feeling close to her. "What are your plans for today?" He asked her.

"I have lunch with Marlena later today. I was thinking about canceling though. I just don't feel up to going out or seeing anyone today. I just need you and Ciara and no one else."

…Springfield, Illinois…

"Jack are you almost ready with your bags?" Carissa called up the stairs to her son. "We have to hurry up sweetheart." Carissa paced around he kitchen waiting for Jack to come down. "I hope Dr. Evans can help you." Carissa looked down at her watch. It was four o'clock. They'd have to get on the road soon if they were to make it to Salem by Jack's bedtime. She wanted to be sure he got a goodnight's sleep before seeing his new doctor in the morning. "Jack?" Carissa called out again.

Zack walked down the stairs carrying his bag of clothes. He couldn't wait to leave this place. He heard Carissa say they were going to Salem. He knew that was home. He was so excited thinking she was bringing him back home to his family. He couldn't wait to see his parents. Zack ran to the front door pulling it open and raced to the car. Carissa looked on with a smile believing her son was beginning to get well. Earlier that day she told him they were going to Salem to see a new doctor. At first, Zack was upset that he was being brought to yet another doctor, but when he heard where she was taking him, he was excited at the prospect.

Carissa got behind the wheel of the car. "Buckle up Jackie." She looked in her rearview mirror before backing out of the driveway. "Next stop Salem, USA. Do you remember the last time we traveled to Salem honey? I went there for business. It didn't turn out well for me or you either for that matter. I hope this time we'll have better luck in Salem."

Zack sat silently in the backseat. He was too excited to sit still. He kept going over in his mind the last time he saw his parents. He wondered if they still looked the same. He couldn't wait to find out. Zack pulled out his drawing pad and drew a picture of his family. Carissa didn't like his pictures. She said there was always another person in the picture that didn't belong there. It was just him Mommy and Daddy that belonged in the picture she would tell him. The doctors thought he had an imaginary friend. He knew that extra person was his big brother Shawn. Zack looked out the window anxious to see some familiar sights. It had been over three years since he was home. He wondered if it still looked the same.

…Salem, USA…

"Daddy?" Hope answered the front door to find her father standing there. "What are you doing here?" She asked him.

"Hello Princess. Can't I drop in to see my beautiful daughter without an excuse?" Doug kissed hope's cheek.

"Of course you can. I didn't realize you were back home. I thought you went to Paris to visit Dougie. How is he?" Dougie was Hope's younger half brother. He was raised by her father's best friend Robert LeClair. Doug still kept in touch with him all these years and kept Hope up to date on her brother's life. "I think the last time I spoke to him was Christmas day….the last Christmas we spent with Zack." Hope's eyes grew a little misty thinking about it.

"I remember that Christmas well. It was one of the happiest times we've ever had here in Salem. You know, I never told you this, but I bought Zack and Dougie's son Jack matching pajamas and bathrobe that year. I couldn't decide between two different pairs and which child to give them to, so I bought them the same. I figured they would never know since Dougie hasn't returned to Salem in all these years."

"Zack loved those pajamas. He was wearing them the night he…" Hope choked up remembering her little boy lying on the ground so still. Tears trickled out of the corner of her eyes. "I'm sorry Daddy. It still hurts to think about it." Hope told him.

"I know Princess. I know." Doug hugged his daughter. "I wish I could take the pain away. Oh how I wish I could." Doug kissed her head.

"I'm okay." She said pulling out of his embrace wiping her eyes. "So tell me all about your visit with Dougie. Why did you come home so soon?"

"He's having a hard time dealing with his life. The divorce was really ugly from what he told me. His son Jack hasn't spoken in years. Dougie is beside himself not knowing what he can do to help. He told me his ex is taking him to see Marlena.""That's great. Marlena is such a wonderful doctor. I'm sure she can help him." Hope told him.

"I'm sure you're right. I've spoken to Carissa. I told her she could stay with Julie and me while she's here. I'd like to get to know my grandson." Doug was excited to finally be meeting him.

"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" She asked her father. "She might hold it against you for being related to Dougie."

"Princess. Robert is Dougie's father. She knows the whole story behind his upbringing. I've talked to her through the years when I called Dougie. She knows I only want what's best for Jack and she's willing to stay with us so long as Jack gets the help he needs. All she's concerned about is her sons well being."

"I hope you're right Daddy." Hope wasn't as sure as her father seemed to be. "So when is she due in?" Hope asked.

"She should be arriving tonight. Julie is home fixing up the guest rooms for them. I should be heading there myself to meet them when they arrive. I just wanted to let you know I was back home." Doug kissed Hope's cheek and left.

……

Carissa drove past the welcome to Salem sign and turned to look back at her son sleeping soundly on the seat behind her. She was going to tell him they had arrived, but he looked so happy sleeping she didn't want to wake him. Carissa turned back to face the road and noticed she was driving in the wrong lane. Before she could pull out, however, another vehicle hit her head on. The lights were blaring in her eyes. She heard the crash and looked back to see if her boy was okay. He wasn't in the car. He must have been thrown from the impact of the accident. "JACK!" She screamed as another car hit her from the side and sent the car spinning around into oncoming traffic. She was hit by several more cars causing a pile up before her car came to rest on its side. Carissa's head slammed into the steering wheel. Everything went black.