INVESTIGATING
Ali
Talked to Dad first.
Asked what he knew
about the truck driver.
He assured me
insurance and police were
handling things.
In fact
the driver's insurance already
offered
an extremely
generous
settlement.
So I explain
my thoughts about
the driver
who had no name.
He sees no problem
but
would mention it
to our insurance agent
in the morning.
The whole thing seems
very fishy.
I search through the internet
again.
Also post on social media.
Ask if anyone's
heard the driver's name.
Lots of responses.
No answers but
all agreed
something's not right.
INVISIBILITY
Adam
Crazy plan
Mr. Charonski
sent me out
on my own.
Instructions.
Make a connection telepathically
visibility will then be
automatic.
So I say,
"How do I practice?"
His answer,
"On dogs."
First canine victim
Mrs. Gillhouly's miniature collie,
Lady.
Next door neighbor
for years.
Out for their Ten A.M. walk
Zap -- connected
Lady starts wagging her tail.
Pulls so hard on the leash
she breaks free
runs right at me.
Starts jumping
licking
confused when she can’t feel me
tries rolling over
for a belly rub.
Mrs. Gillhoully
freaks
obviously
she can't see me
and
Lady can.
Vicim number two
crazy Doberman
on the walking route
to school.
Here would be
My lesson plan's
second half.
Breaking the connection.
The challenge
Charonski says:
Control.
Down to the second.
I float
into the yard.
Dobie lays gnawing
on a huge rawhide bone.
Connection made
from across the yard.
He lunges up
charges at me.
Barking.
Snarling.
Connection broken
dive left.
Five feet away
still tracking my motion
teeth bared jumps
for my throat.
I feel the drag
as teeth, head, body
pass
through me.
Dobie lands hard
rolls
a few feet past me.
Then gets up for more.
Sniffs the air
searching my sent
coming up
empty.
Reconnect
He spins
growls
sees the rawhide bone
in my hand.
I toss the bone.
It lands
at his feet.
He chews for a moment
then
refocuses on me.
Bares his teeth
lurches toward me.
Any thoughts
the bone
would help befriend him--
gone.
Disconnect.
Dobie hits the brakes.
Confused.
Then runs back and forth
searching.
Decide
he's put up with enough
and float away
invisibly
feeling confident
I’d aced the lesson.
REMEMBORING
TRYOUTS
Jake
Sitting alone
On my bed
Remembering
Tryout day
Two months back.
Varsity team
My sophomore year
That’s all I wanted
Instead
Shamed
Shipped down to J.V.
Now coach wants me back
But
Why go back
If I’m not teammates
With Adam?
CONGRATS AND MORE MENTORING
Adam and Mr. Charonski
Mr.
Charonski,
sitting in
the boiler room
feet up on
the desk.
"How'd
invisibility
go?"
"Good, but
the dogs of the world
may not agree."
"Truth,
I
followed you
and
watched."
"Can't be
I didn't see you."
"Well
I watched
and
I'd give you
an
A+"
"What
comes next?"
"Watch."
Mr. Charonski
floating
through the wall.
"Now
try to look through.
See
me
and
everything
this
side of the wall."
I struggle
but bit by bit
everything came
in focus."
"Then
simply
come
join us."
I float
just off the ground,
stay focused on the other side
and pass effortlessly through.
"Now
go practice
but
behave.
Stay
away from
the
girls locker room."
He winked
and disappeared.
