Vision: A Special Abilities Novel

Vision

A Special Abilities Novel

Brad C. Mann

Published by Brad C. Mann at Smashwords

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Chapter 1

Just one?

It was odd not seeing snow or feeling the cold wind pushing its way through the window sills as I wrapped the last of my Christmas presents. The hot Florida sun was shining through my dorm room window reminding me of what a nice choice I had made in moving from Michigan to go to school here in sunny Palm Bay Florida.

I had bought gifts for everyone with the big thank you check I received from the Governor of California. The Card that came with my check read, "Thanks for saving our state’s national treasure the Golden Gate Bridge, not to mention the millions and millions of dollars the lost would have cost our tax payers, Merry Christmas Arnold. The amount on the check was embarrassingly large.

When I had risked my life and all my friend’s lives to save the Golden Gate Bridge from being destroyed by a bunch of low life scum I did it because it was the right thing to do. Getting rewarded like this afterward seemed a little wrong…but as long as I spread the wealth around between my friends and teammates I was sure I could somehow get over it.

Meea, my girlfriend was the most difficult to buy for. I had to have the perfect gift for her most of all. It would have to express the deepest most caring love and also bring the biggest smile to her perfect bronze goddess face, plus hours and hours of enjoyment. Yeah well, maybe that was asking a lot out of a present I guess. Maybe it’d be better to just tell Meea how much I care about her and let the present’s fall where they may.

Marty was my closest friend, so I also wanted to get him something special that he would really enjoy. Marty’s ability to levitate and move objects with kinetic energy didn’t really help me in the gift idea department. So I decided on a rolling tool chest, stocked with plenty of gadgets that the aeronautic engineering professor at college could help me pick out. All the members of my group were actually pretty easy to buy for, except for Meea. Maybe because of how special she was to me, I couldn’t stand just getting her some ordinary present.

For Tony, I got him the wireless audio surveillance equipment he had not so delicately been dropping hints for. As long as it was electronic I don’t think you could go wrong buying anything for Tony. Hell, if he didn’t like what you got him he could just turn it into something useful he did want. No one was a better tech mastermind than Tony was.

Since Steven spent most of his free time around the rifle range I thought I would get him a gift that had something to do with shooting. He seemed to enjoy target practice but always seemed troubled by the noise from the guns. I didn’t want to get him ear protection…that just didn’t seem interesting or personal enough. I finally decided on a crossbow and a large bulls-eye target he could set up anywhere, anywhere within reason that is. It seemed like the right thing to do to get Steven something that would allow him to physically do something rather than something that was mentally thought-provoking, since 95% of Steven’s time was spent taking in information and answering other people’s questions. Being autistic and having a photographic memory with perfect recall must really be a cross to bear at times.

Rachel and Chels being identical twins, probably always received matching gifts. I wanted to stay away from giving them matching gifts since they were two completely different people, except for their looks of course. Since I was never quite sure what they enjoyed seeing or hearing since everything looked like sound or sonar waves to them I steered clear of music, movies and books.

Chels always seemed to be on the prowl for strapping young men so I thought I’d help by buying her some bait. Bait in the form of clothes from her favorite clothing line. I told the girl at the counter helping me to pick out six of the sexiest outfits in the store and have them gift-wrapped. I told her they were for a beautiful dark cream-colored girl with jet-black hair and solid blue eyes. I didn’t think I could get the blue-eyed thing across to the sales girl as a strong enough point, because Chels had the biggest blue eyes of all time. The sales clerk girl was nice enough to show me each outfit before wrapping them up. All I can say is God help the young men of Palm Bay city. Dark skin, blue eyes, and those outfits are against the law in most states I’m sure, but I know she’ll love them.

As for her sister Rachel, she was very easy to buy for. Rachel was now into Karate and Jujitsu with a passion. Tony had been training with Rachel after school everyday for the past few months. Rachel said if we ever get into a tight situation again she wanted to be prepared.

I bought her a speed bag and a sand filled punching bag for her room. I also bought her some new workout clothes that Tony helped me pick out claiming he was sure that she would like them. They were a bit skimpy for workout clothes so I think this may have been more of a present for Tony rather than Rachel but I let it slide without kidding him about it…too much.

That just left Stacy. It didn’t matter what you got Stacy, she would know just how you felt about her no matter what you handed her. If you gave her a diamond watch but didn’t really care about her she’d know, and if you gave her a dollar gift certificate but would take a bullet for her she’d know that too. Stacy could read people like Nostradamus could only dream of. She had a gift for knowing just what you were thinking like it was written on your forehead or something.

Stacy was Meea’s best friend and I knew when I wasn’t around Stacy would always have Meea’s back. She was like the tough little sister I never had. Stacy was special to me and would always have a special place in my heart so I wanted to give her a gift that would show that, whether I needed to or not.

Since I was taking Meea home to meet my parents for Christmas break I thought this would be the perfect gift for Stacy as well. I bought Stacy two tickets home to Newark, New Jersey to see her parents. I knew she would not go if Marty didn’t go with her, so I sentenced Marty to a trip to Newark as well. I know he’ll forgive me…eventually. Stacy had not been home since her breakthrough a few months ago. Her parents have never seen their daughter walk. So when Stacy explains to them how Marty helped her find the ability to walk for the first time I bet they’ll give Marty the key to the city or something. He’ll hate all the attention from people he doesn’t know, but to make Stacy happy he’d walk through fire, let alone Newark.

I also bought Stacy a bunch of new shoes of all different types and colors. Since girls, for some genetic reasons have a fetish and an unconditional love for shoes. I guessed that Stacy would soon catch that girly disease now that she actually needed shoes to wear.

Wilson? Meea called poking her head in through the door to my dorm room.

You didn’t catch me wrapping your present if that’s what you’re up to. I said giving her a disapproving look.

Meea looked down and blushed slightly letting her long dark hair swing down to hide her cheeks that started to flush immediately. I don’t need to peek, you know. I could have a mouse nibble through each box to find my present.

Oh, yeah? I don’t think so…at least not this time.

Why not? Meea’s eyebrows rose as her eyes widened looking for the slightest clue.

Never you mind little lady. I said, slapping her on the butt as a mock scolding.

Wanna know what I got you? The look of optimism crept back onto Meea’s face.

No, Meea. Have patience girl. I said fighting back a smile.

How about we open just one? Meea asked still looking for any opening to satiate her curiosity.

Meea! I shook my head but couldn’t help smiling now.

Well…Okay then how about a kiss? Meea said, finally letting her focus shift.

That, I can handle.

Mmmm…

Now, how about you help me pack the car before we get carried away? I said with the greatest reluctance ever.

One more kiss for the road? Meea begged leaning toward me with her beautiful big green eye’s closed.

Kissing Meea had to be the best experience of my life, and also the most distracting. I get lost in time when her soft mouth caresses mine. My heart sours and I lose all my focus. That blissful, happy, satisfied, warm, felling is totally engulfing when our lips fuse together perfectly. I never want those embraces to end. Meea’s hair covered up both our faces and always smelled of earl gray tea. I know that sounds odd but it was one of the most erotic fragrances to me.

After ten minutes of one last kiss I lifted Meea up and stood her on her feet, slapped her butt again and aimed her for the door with an arm full of presents.

Are any of these mine? Meea said looking sheepishly back at me with puppy dog eyes.

Never mind that, just take them to the car please…jeesh!

It was snowing heavily, coming down in slow soft blankets as I pulled into my parent’s driveway. Meea jumped out of the car as soon as it came to a stop and rushed to the front door with an arm full of presents and rang the doorbell. The look on my dad’s face when he saw Meea…

Hello, I’m Meea Suntree. Meea gushed out. My dad just stood in the doorway trying to form his stuttering into any type of normal greeting.

I…well a… how nice… I mean, come in… please. He finally managed to get out. The presents Meea was carrying slid onto the hallstand as Meea bounced up and down hugging my dad around the neck.

It’s so nice to finally meet you Mr. McClain. Meea said, as she looked up at my dad with her face beaming with pure joy.

Wilson, you’re home! my mother squealed as she came into the hallway stripping off her kitchen apron. This must be Meea. Oh welcome Meea, we’ve heard so many nice things about you, please come in and let William take your coat.

I’m so happy to finally get to meet you too. Meea said hugging my mother around the waist tightly.

My dad trying to make himself useful hung up our coats while mom steered Meea into the kitchen, to sample some of her delicious deserts. My mom was definitely quite a cook and a baker.

It’s ok dad she has that effect on every guy. I laughed, as my dad shook his head to clear the fog.

Well, you could have warned me. I mean, she’s the girl next-door slash super model gorgeous all in one. And if she’s half as nice as she is pretty…

I know, trust me I know, I’m very lucky.

So what’s with all the presents? You’re not running up a lot of debt are you, trying to show off for this girl? My dad said with a bit of accusation in his voice.

No dad, no debt, and those presents are for you and mom. I’m having Meea’s present delivered on Christmas day. Now, how about getting some of mom’s fresh baked pie I smell. I said, throwing my arm around my dad’s shoulders heading us toward the kitchen.

Ok son, it’s good to have you home.

Meea and my mother got along better than I could have hoped. I always thought that moms were supposed to think that no girl could be good enough for their little boy but that was surely not the case here. All weekend my mom kept saying, Now you be good to her like I needed reminding. Being good to Meea was as natural as needing to breath. But it was nice to know my mom felt as strongly for Meea as I did. My dad doted on her the whole weekend as well.

Meea must have known somehow my parents would like her because on the trip up she never questioned me about them. I thought for sure I would hear do you really think they’ll like me? but not once did Meea ever let on like there was a doubt in her mind they would love her.

It was Christmas Eve and Meea and I were going to get bundled up to go out caroling with my parents and lots of their friends from church. We were looking for some winter coats and hats in the basement where my mother had stored all of my winter clothes.

Wilson? Meea said, sheepishly.

Yes Meea.

Tomorrow is Christmas.

You’re not going to ask me for a present to open early again, are you?

Well, I was sort of wondering if you got me a present at all. Meea said ducking her head slightly.

I love you very much Meea, of course I got you a present.

Are you sure? I looked through all the presents we brought in and none of them are marked for me. Meea’s head was bowed, like she was ashamed to admit she had been snooping.

I’m having your present delivered tomorrow morning, that way it avoids your snooping attempts.

Oh… that’s so unfair. I like to snoop. Meea said now getting her dander up a little.

Yes, I know. When we get back to school, I’m going to look for a class on patience for you. I said, teasingly.

I can’t help it. Meea said, looking a bit chagrinned.

I know, but I am serious, you need some help. I laughed, pulling on my warm winter sock cap as I followed Meea back up the stairs.

It was only lightly snowing now as we made our rounds through the neighborhood singing all my favorite Christmas songs. As we approached the house on the corner you could see they had a