SAVANTS
The Chapture 41

Sally and Simon took me home a few days before December. Some neighbors have installed their Christmas lights. Mrs Hoffman's house is colorful, well worth the view from the highway. Our house was dark, there were no candles or jewelry in sight.

Simon opened the door. ''Now that you're back, Sky, we can decorate.''

''So are we going to a tasteful Olde England or a new world of fun?'' asked Sally with excitement.

''If we do, can I have Santa's statue in my window" I said.

''Of course, as long as we can have wildebeest flickering on the roof.'' Selly replied.

Flashing lights—palm tree, rollercoaster rides.

''What's the matter dear?'' Simon put his hand on my waist.

This happens all the time now, I catch a glimpse of things like seats, jet planes, beds—nothing I understand.

''No. ''No. I'm fine, just a little dizzy"

I put my suitcase on the bed and sat down, staring at the wall. Turquoise. I completely forgot to practice making protectors. I must have been leaking my thoughts and feelings to Zed the whole time, but he was too kind not to tell me.

He told me that I had contacted him when I was being held captive by my mysterious kidnapper. I claimed to be in Las Vegas, which was hard to believe until I showed up at the warehouse. He thought I had tried to tell him exactly where I was, but he missed most of my messages.

The Benedict family has acted on what I managed to say and went to Vegas because the city was Daniel Kelly—'s power baseit just so happens to be too many clues to ignore. They still believe there's a connection: Gator, the man who died in the warehouse, has been hired by Kelly's company,

Victor felt very excited about everything. Because the two Kellys who were in prison by the Benedict family had slipped out of jail a few weeks ago; no one knows how they did it.

"Sky, dinner's on the table!'' Selly called me.

I went downstairs and pretended to have a bigger appetite than them. Sally had cooked my favorite pasta and bought a special ice cream in a bowl. We're all trying to make tonight a success.

I'm playing with spaghetti. ''Do you think I should go back to school?''

Simon filled Sally's wine and poured herself a glass. ''No, sweetheart. Actually, I've ... er .. wondered.''

''Hmm?'' Sally looked up, hearing the cautious tone in her voice.

"I heard from a woman from Las Vegas today—Mrs Toscana. He runs one of the casino hotels there. It turned out that he was behind a secret donation paid for the recovery house.

''Oh, how good he is.'' Selly chimed.

''That's what I told him. Anyway, he heard about the kidnapping and has seen our profile on the web, he wondered if we could consider a new contract that puts a twist on the art acquisitions made by the hotel chain. They have hotels everywhere—Roma, Milan, Madrid, Tokyo, London, and also all over America. It would last more than a year and allow Sky to complete his schooling in one place. He mentioned there are some excellent high schools in Vegas. He even recommended a few.''

Sally stirred her wine in the glass. ''I don't know, Simon. If we move anywhere, I'd rather go back to England. I don't think adventuring in America we've had great success. And Vegas—yah, the memories are not pleasant.''

Simon twisted spaghetti expertly around his fork. ''I'm not forcing us. He suggested that we talk about it, explore the possibilities before rejecting the idea. He invited us weekend—Sky too.'' He ate his spaghetti. "I must say the salary he mentioned far exceeded my expectations."

''Sky? What say?'' ask Selly to me.

''Huh? Oh, I'm not really listening.''

''Do you want to move?"

''I don't think I want to move anymore.''

''Can you face the school here knowing that everyone knows what happened to you? We won't blame you if you want a fresh start somewhere else Sally said.

''Can you let me think about this?''

Simon nodded. ''Of course. We can go see without making any commitment. This will help you decide. After all, you can't really see Vegas, just the hospital and the warehouse. You might enjoy Vegas later"

Zed's mother and Zed's father will come and call on Saturday morning. I had never felt comfortable with Zed's mother since our first meeting, but she showed her best behavior today, giving no sign that she was reading to me.

Ironically, I don't mind someone telling me what's going on in my head because I don't know anything. I remember my conversation with Father Zed about my relationship with their son; will they still be so eager to have me in their family now? they know I'm crazy in Vegas?

Sally and Simon sat down with me as we hosted the Benedict family in the living room. There was no funny fun I had at Benedict's house when I went there.

They exchanged stiff pleasantries, talking about concerts planned for Christmas and busy seasons on the slopes.

I feel sad because I did not participate in the music concert as I had planned. The training will take place in school without me. Finally, Saul turned his head towards me, to the point of visiting.

"Sky, nice to see you back at Wrickenridge.''

"Thank you, Mr. Benedict."

''Zed told us what you told him about having false memories.''

I looked down at my hand.

"We think we can help you." Karla Zed's Mother.

Simon thud. ''Now, Mr. Benedict, I appreciate you coming here, but we have a great doctor. He's attending Sky's treatment. I don't think we should be messing around."

''It would be fine under normal circumstances, ''' Mother Zed said, her tone showing a hint of impatience, ''but we believe Sky's problem may lie outside the realm of normal medicine.''

The gaze that Sally and Simon exchanged was clear. They are hostile to any suggestion beyond their control, the Benedict Family is not the only family that knows how to circle the train.

"Maybe so, but she's our daughter and we'll decide together what's best." Simon stood up, signaling that as far as he knew, this friendly visit had ended.

Zed's father kept watching me. ''We want you to spend time with our family, Sky. When we get together, there are things we can do to help someone in your current situation.''

That prospect scares me—but I also know that I won't succeed under the doctors' methods for everything Sally and Simon do.

''It was time spent with your family that made Sky experience his present state!'' Simon no longer bothered to hide his anger. ''See, Mr Benedict—''

''Please, call me Saul. We've been through too much together to stay formal.''

Simon took a breath. ''Saul, we like Zed—he's a good boy—but Sky doesn't seem to be able to spend the time you're talking about this. Please, leave us alone now. Sky has had enough of this in his short life, don't add to the stress he's been through by making claims that you can treat him."

Sally clenched her fingers, clenching them tightly. ''We always knew, since he was a child, that Sky's mental state was fragile. It's not your fault, but it turns out that hanging out with your family must be we've had some incredible problems and it's been mentally disturbing. Please, leave him alone now.''

The discussion continues in my head. It was almost as if I wasn't here.

"Sally, please." I beg.

''It's okay, Sky. There is nothing to be ashamed of.'

"Your daughter needs us" Father Zed said.

"I'm sorry, but I don't agree." Sally joined Simon near the door, her body language was very clear. ''We know what's best for Sky. He's been ours six years now and I think we know him better than you guys."

''Stop it, all of you, please.'' I feel like a bone that was snatched by a pack of dogs. Everyone was so busy telling me they knew best, I couldn't decide what it was for myself.

Zed's father got up from the table. ''Honey, we're troubling Sky. We'd better go home.'' He glanced at me. ''The offer is valid, Sky. Just think. For Zed, and for yourself."

The Benedict family went by slamming the car door and saying goodbye at the front gate. I stayed behind in the living room, moving my fingers over the piano keyboard. Is that my imagination, or does it sound like the tone is out of tune as well?