My life started as any child of that decade. My mother had me in a hospital with as many drugs as they would allow her. I know this because my mother repeatedly told me how painful it was to have me, and that she wished they would have given her more drugs. I am not saying my mother was vindictive or cruel. After what I put her through as a child, she had to say something to guilt me into listening to her. My father was with her when she had me. He let me know every so often that my birth was no worse for my mother then my siblings. He just told me that as I was growing up I was, in his opinion, the most frustrating child he has ever seen. Gives you almost a sense of pride doesn't it?

A few months after I was brought home, I was lying in my crib. My father had bought the crib for my mother just before I was born. He was very proud of it, because it was an antique he found at a shop. He had gotten it really cheap. He had it checked out just before I was born, by an antique collector. The collector told him that it was very rare and could go for at least several thousand at an auction. I tell you this in preparation to see how it devastated my dad after I got a hold of it.

I am told my mother had gone into the kitchen to warm some food. What she saw when she came back scared her to death. What she saw was me lying on the floor with just the mattress and a blanket under me. The rest of the crib was lying out away from where I was lying. She could see several slats were missing and the wood that held the mattress was gone. In my hand I held half of one of the side slats. As she watched, the wood slat slowly disintegrated in my hand.

Now you would think that after seeing that, my mother would freak out. Most parents would send me away or at least call a doctor. To this day I don't know how my parents keep it together. They did tell me once that my shenanigans drew them closer together. Instead all she did was yell my name, and tell me how upset my father will be when he gets home. In one of her retelling of the story she did mention that I started balling. All she did was hold me and say, “It's all right, it's just your father loved that crib.” I think in the back of her mind she hoped that telling this story to me would convince me to repair the crib. Of course I never was able to. Not that I really tried.

⟸⟹

Now flash forward to when I was twelve. There were a few small incidents of me disintegrating in that time, but at twelve I learned something new. Well I shouldn't say, I learned it. This ability is more a reaction to something that I can't control. It is unlike the disintegration which I have learned some control over. Several of my buddies and I were in the backyard playing catch. We had been playing in the noon day sun for an hour or so. You know that chill you get some times even when you're sweaty and hot? Well one hit me as I caught the ball. The shiver wasn't very long, just a quick shake. But it was what happened after, that really threw everyone off. Just after I finished my shake a low sound could be heard under us. It was a cross between a growl and a tremor sound. Then the yard began to shake. It shook hard enough to cause the swings on the sing set to start swinging visibly. Our dog yips and heads under our wooden porch. It lasted for about five seconds then stopped. All of us stood still in shock.

Most parents I am sure would freak out thinking there was an earthquake. But not my mother. She nonchalantly comes to the back door and says, “Kids I think it is time for you to go home, now. I need to have Ben come in.”

My buddies stare at her, then slowly walk to the side gate. About halfway to the gate they all sprint home. My mother then looks at me, “Well get in here, and check to make sure Buster is all right.”

Then she just as casually walks back into the house. I did ask her one day, after I had several incidents happen to me in one day, why she never thought it was strange. She looked at me with compassion only a mother can show and said, “It's nothing new to me,” but she never would explain why.

Well I checked on Buster. He was in a small corner under the porch shivering. I figured at the time he had to be okay because he was still breathing. I walked into the kitchen where my mother was fixing something. I couldn't tell you what it was because I was too scared to pay attention. She stops what she is doing to look at me, “Why don't you go pick out a movie to watch. I think you are getting too hot outside. And grab a drink to, I'm sure you need some fluids after sweating so much,” then she goes back to her project.

I didn't know how to take it at the time. I don't think it sunk in, that I was the cause yet. I just walked over to the refrigerator and got a glass of juice. Luckily there was a glass next to the refrigerator for me to use, because I don't know what I would have done without it there. Probably would have drank out of the carton which is a real big no, no to my mother. I then walked in a daze to the couch. I sat down and just started sipping my juice. If I recall, I don't think I got a movie though. I think I just sat and stared at the television not really watching what was on it.

⟸⟹

Now we jump ahead a few years to when I was fourteen. I had just really gotten into girls. Kind of a tragedy really. I think this one incident made it hard for me to get into dating, or girls in general. There was a girl in my school that I had a crush on. I talked to a few of my friends. I heard she was slightly interested in me. So I saw a chance to approach her between classes. I saw her close her locker. So I hurried over to talk to her. She didn't see my approach. She was facing the opposite direction, to head to her next class. I tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. She asked what and turned to look at me. As I was about to say hi, her eyes widened. Her whole body tensed in fright. Her face contorted in a way I never thought possible. Complete and total fear grabbed her. She looked at me motionless for a couple of seconds. She then screams the most blood curdling scream I had ever heard. Before I could even react she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

I stood there with my mouth open. I had no clue what to do. Her scream brought a few teachers out of their class rooms. One teacher ran to where she lay and yelled down the hall, “Get the nurse quick,” She then looked at me angrily, “What did you do?”

“Nothing, I just tapped her on the shoulder,” I said and of course at the time I did not know what had occurred. I was just as stumped as the teacher.

I stood there for a few seconds, when the nurse showed up. The nurse did a quick check and decided she could be moved to the nurses office. The teacher picked her up and glanced back at me. As he carried the girl in the direction of the nurses office he said, “You come too.”

As we got to the nurses office the teacher motioned his head at a chair, “Sit and don't leave.” He takes my almost girlfriend into the back room, limp as a rag doll. I couldn't tell you exactly how long I sat there, but I do know I remember hearing at least one bell for the next class to end. Then the teacher finally came out and looked at me quizzically, “She says she doesn't remember seeing you. She says that all she remembers is the scariest thing standing behind her. What did you give her?”

I sat there fidgeting, “Nothing, I was just going to say hi to her.”

“Let me see your hands,” he said and I popped my hands out in front of me. He grabbed my hands and turned them over checking thoroughly. “Your mother is on her way so we can get to the bottom of this.”

Just then a lady with dark black hair, to her waist, darts into the room Her figure was that of a model. I thought at the time I was looking at a runway model, other than the large black rim glasses she wore. Obviously that was not my mother. My mother has never shown the fear that this woman was in. The teacher pointed to the door where the girl was taken. The lady then darts into the back room.

While I watched the door, the lady had disappeared in, I heard, “Ben,” behind me. My heart sank into my shoes. I knew without looking that my mother was standing in the doorway. I turn slowly. Her blond hair looked half brushed and it looked like she had forgotten half her face when she was applying her makeup. She wore a jogging outfit, which I knew was what she wore when she was getting ready for an elegant night out. I knew she was pissed, because her body exuded frustration.

The teacher looked concerned at my mother, “Mrs. Turner we don't know what happened.”

My mother glared at him with a look that could kill, “I know,” she snapped.

The teacher flinched, “We were just going to ask Mr. Turner here to apologize to the young lady, and ask them together what happened.”

My mother's glare turned to deep concern, “That would not be a good idea.”

“Why not Mrs. Turner?” the teacher asks. Then the same blood curdling scream could be heard behind him, at the door to the back area.

“That is why,” my mother says without even flinching at the scream. All eyes were on my ex-girlfriend that never was. She lay unconscious on the floor again. My mother comes over and grabs my arm. “Well I guess I will inform you now that Ben will not be at school for the next two days. We have some personal business to take care of. I will be in tomorrow to see what can be done for him to make up the work. I'm sorry for any inconvenience this might cause.” She then pulled me up, and we walked out of the school. I was never really sure if she was apologizing for what I did, or for me not going to school for the next two days.

The next two days were like a mini vacation from school for me. I had thought I was in big trouble. When we got home my mother pointed to a chair next to the front door. I sat down trying to keep an eye on her. She then went into the other room for a length of time. When she came out she was in her best evening gown. That which was unfinished when she came and got me, was now perfect. I never saw my mother as ugly, but it always drove me up the wall that all my friends would whistle and say how gorgeous she always looked.

“Now I am going to meet your dad at work. We are going out most of the day, on a married date. I know it's hard, but could you please keep things to a minimum when I am in the middle of something. Now please be good,” she leans over and kisses me on the forehead.

“There is plenty of leftovers and other items in the fridge to keep you full tonight. Your sister is going to be staying the night at a friends. And your brother has a lot of after school activities and will be home late. Do please keep an eye on him so he doesn't tear up the house.” She then walks out the door.

She then pops her head back in before closing it, “Oh and by the way you might try not to touch anyone, if you can get out of it. Love you much,” and she left and closed the door behind her..

I didn't know what to do. I don't know how long I sat there, but I knew it had to be some time. My butt and legs were starting to go numb by the time I got up.

I say it was like a mini vacation because the next few days I got to stay home from school. I did whatever, while my brother and sister had to go to school. The next day my buddies came over grilling me on what happened. They said the whole school was crazy, because someone said there was a wild beast loose in town. After school let out my buds said they went to talk to my almost sweetie, but she wasn't at school.

I didn't know what to tell them. I just kept saying I never got a chance to talk to her. The only problem is that one of my buds classroom mates saw the whole thing and was telling everyone. All I could do was be elusive. Now if you remember being that age you know being elusive only encourages them to ask more questions. I finally just said I was just so irresistible she fainted. And from that point on I got a reputation, and that didn't help my nervousness around females. I hated it back then. The more I tried to avoid girls the more they surrounded me.

After my little mini vacation my mother sent me back to school. I tried to avoid the poor girl I sent to the nurses office. The only problem was that my buds had finally talked to her and told her I was interested. By this time I was not interested in any girl for fear they would all eventually faint at the sight of me. My attempt at avoiding her though failed miserably. She caught me after second class. To my surprise she didn't scream, nor faint. She acted as though I was never there at the time of the incident.

She kept asking me out all school year, but I just keep finding excuses not to go with her. As the year progressed the word spread of my reputation, and that I would not take a girlfriend. So more and more girls would try to ask me out just to see why I was so irresistible. From that point on my life was miserable when it came to women. I don't know how or why but my reputation precedes me.

⟸⟹

Now at the age of seventeen one of my more interesting abilities started showing itself. Now keep in mind that all prior abilities still occurred off and on. I am just pointing out the more interesting times. At the age of seventeen my mother thought it would be a good idea for me to get a part time job. She said it will help me understand how the real world works. I just rolled my eyes, but I figured I just as well. That way I would have some blowing money. So I began my job search. I didn't realize till then how hard it was for a student to get a job. I tried to avoid the McDonald’s scene, but eventually caved in and got a job. At the time I felt so embarrassed to be a McDonald’s employee. If I knew then what was coming, I'm sure the embarrassment of employment would have been the lowest on my worry list. But as with all my new abilities, I had no clue.

I had been working for about a week after my training. I Thought I was lucky to be on the grill. I was working away at my position when I heard someone say they needed more supplies. The next thing I know I am standing in front of the cooler. I look around and realize that I had teleported several feet from my original position. I shake my head and walk back to my area.

I look up at the monitor for the next order. It happened to be a very slow time and there was only one order. So I made the sandwich. Then while holding it, I look up front to see who needed it. I notice the only tray with items on it, then realize I am standing at the tray with the sandwich.

Now by this time in my life I am quite accustomed to strange things happening to me. I have also learned to do my best to hide it, also. I put the sandwich on the tray and looked up at the customer. A short dark haired gentleman was standing with his mouth open in shock. I realized he must have seen what happened, but I couldn't think of a good response. I just turned and walked back to my area. As I was walking back the lady waiting for the sandwich had looked around and noticed I had put it on the tray already. She glances at me and says, “Thank you,” and pushes the tray at the customer. “Thank you for coming to McDonald’s have a nice day,” then turns and continues with something else.

From that point on I kept my attention only on the work at hand. Luckily the customer was the only one to see me teleport, so I got lucky. I say teleport, but I think it is more of a blink. You know as someone is walking and you blink. Well the person looks to move from one point to the other without moving. Yeah that is a bad comparison, but it works kinda like that. I cannot teleport to a place I cannot see. If I can see the place I can teleport to it and it seems to work in a blink of an eye.

⟸⟹

Now the next incident in my life was, I think, a precursor to what was to come. I don't know if it is the same place I am now, or not. In the end I guess it doesn't matter since it was just a taste of things to come.

It was at my high school graduation ceremony. Most at their graduation are all hyped up because it is the last day of required school. To my chagrin I was in that group of graduates that were all excited, at least at first. The graduation was held outside in the football field. The chairs were all lined up facing a makeshift podium. The other family members attending sat in the concrete bleachers They lined the graduation class at an entrance that went to the food court, under the bleachers.

Since my last name started with a 'T', I was close to the back of the procession. The day was hot and muggy so the capes tended to stick to expose flesh. Now I know what you might be thinking, and yes I did have clothes on under the gown. Although I did suspect one person may not have, but was never able to find out. We all walked slowly and semi-respectfully to our waiting seats, wishing this would all go faster before we melted.

We all sat patiently, or at least what passed as patience for a bunch of teenagers. Each name is called one by one and the person walked up to the podium to get their fake graduation papers. After what seemed like an eternity, my name was called. I walked up to the podium just like all the rest. But when I stopped to get my paper it was nothing like any of the others. I wonder now why there wasn't more of a reaction to what happened. I guess it goes to show you that people will find any way to explain the unexplainable.

As I extended my hand the whole scene shimmered and went dark. At first I thought a plane flew over, but as I glanced around I couldn't see anything but blackness. The total darkness only lasted a few seconds, but at the time I could swear it would never end. When I was able to see again it took me several seconds to realize I was no longer blind, so to speak.

There wasn’t a person in sight. In fact when I focused, all I could see was a very large stone. By the look of its texture it was very old and weathered. I turned around checking out the area. I realized I am in some old forgotten ruins. Behind me a large stone is laying on its side like an altar stone. At my position I could not see any patterns to where the stones stood, other than they radiated out from the flat altar stone. I was never great in geology, but I guessed the stones were a type of granite. At one point I thought it might be Stonehenge, but the placement of the stones did not match the few pictures I had seen. For several minutes I didn't move, afraid the world would collapse if I did.

I realized that the world, as such as it seemed, was not going to change. I decided to check things out. For a split second I thought maybe I passed out and was dreaming. I then, in that same second, realized that can't be. My dreams were not that vivid. I walked around the huge stone, I appeared in front of, to see what was behind it. To my dismay I could only see more stones. I looked around and peered through spaces between the stones. I was afraid of wandering too far from my original spot. I feared that I would be horribly lost forever in the maze of stones.

There was not a cloud in the sky. At the time I didn't register that the sky was a darker blue than normal. Well normal compared to where I grew up. The air seemed a bit cooler. I then noticed that the sun was just over the horizon. I don't know if it was coming up or going down. I don't know how long I stood there, but it had to have been several hours, because when I popped back to the football field everyone was gone.

I don't remember the transition back. While I was in this other place I must have turned around, because I was facing the bleachers where the families sat. When I realized that I was back home, I refocused and noticed my mother running to me. I was still in shock so I just stood there.

When she got to me she ran into me with a hug. It almost knocked us both over. Luckily I regained my senses and kept us from falling. I don't think she ever hugged me as tight, before or since. She just wouldn't let go. After a while I realized I better hug back. It was after I started hugging her back that her squeeze released slightly. I don't know how long we stood there, but to tell the truth I was in no hurry for it to end.

The only thing that broke us up was hearing my dad's voice, “Well I see he did make it back. Damn and I thought that would leave more food for me,” he says as he walked up to us slowly like everything had always been hunky dory. My father was like that. He took everything in stride, and made a joke of everything. I have always, and probably will always, hope I get that trait from him.

I shifted away from my mother and she reluctantly let me go. I sprinted the short distance my father had to go to reach us. I grabbed him and hugged him like there was no tomorrow. As we hugged he whispered in my ear, “We were really worried about you.” I don't think I can ever forget that moment. My dad is not one to show much emotion, but in that instance I could almost hear fear, relief, and a bit of a tear in his voice.

⟸⟹

A few days later my mother decided we needed a break, so we all went to my grandmothers. My dad could only stay one night because of his job. My grandmother has a house out in farm country. We would go there a lot when we were all younger, but as we got older we went less and less. Now this is my mother's parents. My father's parents died when I was very young. I really don't remember much of them. As for my mother's father, I have never met him. All they would tell me is that he left. I guess my grandmother has feelings for him, because she talks like they had the best marriage in the world.

When we got there, my grandmother was out on the large porch with her arms spread for a hug. We all gave her a hug when we all went to visit, because there was no one to be embarrassed in front of. She stood waiting for her hugs on a porch attached to an old looking farm house. It was a two story house with a tiny attic room. No one was allowed in the attic though. She kept it locked. I don't think my mother even knows where the key to it is. Every time I would ask about it I would just be told it was grandma's and grandpa's room.

We all got out and took turns hugging grandma. My father always tried to evade my grandmother's hugs, but each time would fail. Every time we would wait while my grandmother would stand in front of the front door. She would give my father a look. Eventually he would give in and get his hug so we all weren't forced to just stand on the porch.

We all sat in the living room and talked while munching on some treats my grandmother made. She would always have bowls and bowls of different treats the whole time we visited. I remember many visits where the only way to talk to my grandmother was to stand in the kitchen while she was preparing something. I have never found a meal my mother made that I didn't like, but grandma's food seemed better then gourmet to me. Mom would fill grandma in on all the happenings that have transpired since our last visit. Now I say all, but that is not entirely true. In all the talks with grandma, my mother or father never mentioned any of my incidents. I remember a time after my second incident starting wanting to explain what happened to grandma. But before I could get anything out, my mother excused us and took me into the other room. In her sweetest tone she explained to me that we shouldn't tell anyone about the incidents. So from that point on I never discussed any of them with anyone.

It got really late so my mother informs everyone we all need to get to sleep, because we have a lot she wants to get done tomorrow. Now that hardly ever means anything coming from my mother, because she is always saying she wants to get a lot done. The house was big enough that all the children, parents, and grandmother could have their own room. As a youngster I always thought my grandmother was mega rich to have such a big house. We all head up to our rooms. Grandma would keep all the rooms neat and clean for us each visit. I guess when you don't work, you have plenty of time to clean and cook. My room still looks like a six year old lives in it. I figure it makes her feel good so I have never tried to upgrade it to my age category.

When I woke up the next day my father had already left. Grandma's house was about the only place I could sleep good in. I went down stairs and smelled fresh waffles being cooked. When I got in the kitchen, mom and grandma were standing around talking, while my sister was digging into a waffle. My brother is nowhere in sight. I figure he is probably still asleep.

“Smells delicious as usual grandma,” I said as I got to the table and sat down.

“Thank you sweetheart,” grandma says, then returns to her conversation with my mother.

I sat and waited for the next waffle. While I was waiting I stared at the waffle iron. I'm not sure exactly when, but the next thing I know I am blind. Thinking oh great I did it again. But instead of the darkness clearing, I hear my sister squeal somewhere close to me. She then starts laughing. Oh just on a side note, my brother and sister are so used to my strange abilities, that they almost always take it in stride as well as my mother does.

“Oh good lord, not again,” I hear my grandmother say.

“Sorry mom I was hoping nothing would happen,” mom sighs.

“Why didn't you tell me. I could have helped.”

“Mom I lived with it too. I figured I could deal with it fine.”

I could hear concern in my grandmother's voice, “Please don't tell me he hasn't already...” her voice trails off.

“Unfortunately yes mom. Although just once.”

“How long?”

“Not too long. So I was hoping it may not fully happen.”

“When did it happen?” I could hear my grandmother trying her best to hold her emotions in check.

“Just a few days ago. Do you think he can hear us?”

“Oh I'm sure he can. Although I bet he can't see. Let's go into the other room and you tell me everything.” I can hear footsteps leaving the room.

I wonder, as I sat there as a waffle iron, if maybe time flows differently. Because it didn't seem like very long after they left that I became myself. But when I looked at the clock, three hours had passed.

I find myself sitting on the counter with waffle crumbs falling off me. I look around and see my younger brother sitting at the table finishing two waffles. He looks around to see me on the counter, then turns back to his waffles. “There are some waffles behind you. Mom says just nuke them if you want them hot. Oh and you make good waffles too. You never burn them and ding when they are done. Can you do that tomorrow or maybe be a griddle and make perfect pancakes?”

“Um, I don't know.”

“Okay just thought I would ask. And you might get off the counter, you know how mom feels about that.”

I look around and notice I was sitting on the counter. I hop down and head to the living room. Now that I think about it, I would have to say my brother helped me through my incidents better than anyone else. He never complained about being a third wheel, so I would have a cover if I needed it. I think sometimes he was a bit jealous it wasn't him.

⟸⟹

I have to go on a tangent here for a moment. There is one incident I have to mention before I go back to grandma. I say my brother was always a help, but that was not entirely true. There was one time we went to the movies. My brother was getting bored and that is never a good thing for a young boy. So to entertain himself he bumped into me which caused me to lose balance. In reaction I stuck out my hand to stabilize myself. I was not paying attention and ended up putting my hand on some guy's shoulder. The man turned around to see what was going on. Of course I’m sure you guessed it, he screamed and ran as fast as he could away from me. I tried to keep my brother busy while he was with me, but you could just imagine how hard it is to keep a boy entertained all the time. Sometimes I wondered if that was the reason he didn't mind being a third wheel. He had the perfect entertainment for a very mischievous boy.

⟸⟹

But let me get back to the incident at my grandmother's house. When I got to the front room my mother, sister, and grandmother were watching some girly show. My mother glances up, “Did you eat?”

I stop at the edge of the couch, “No, I'm not hungry.”

She stares at the television intently while responding, “Well don't wait too long to eat. It's not good to miss breakfast.”

Grandma doesn't take her eyes from the television while she says, “Honey I would recommend that you don't stare at anything for a length of time.”

“Thanks grandma,” I responded.

“And don't you dare look at anything of mine,” my sister comments snidely.

I just turn and head to the front door. I just can't figure out how my family can act like it is all normal, when I have so much trouble dealing with it. I get to the door and open it when my mother turns around and says, “Don't go too far. I need you for something later.”

I wandered around the property contemplating what had just transpired. After about an hour of thinking, and wondering around, I wondered what all I could change into. There was a bird on a post and that caught my attention. I thought it would be so neat to fly. To be able to soar above it all and to just get away. So I stared at the bird for about five minutes before it took off. At this time I had thought that the waffle incident was just a fluke. So I headed back to the porch. Grandma had several chairs strewn out on it. I decided to just take a seat and wait to see what was needed of me.

I sat there never keeping my eye on anything too long. I figured that it's possible it was a fluke, but I wasn't taking any chances. Despite my attempt to keep from staring at something, I eventually just stopped on a tree and stared. I guess the eyes get tired too, and eventually have to stop and rest. This time I could see, but in a strange way. There is no comparison with eyes. All I know is that I knew roughly where everything was by some sensation, I have never experienced. I could feel the sun hitting my leaves and feel water rushing up my trunk. I can only describe it as tingling in my extremities where the water and sun met. I could feel my body, or should I say trunk, fill with something to the effect of food.

I felt an ant crawl up me, and a bird perch on my branch. A breeze came by, and I felt myself sway to its rhythm. I call it rhythm because while I was the tree it was like everything had a rhythm. I felt I had to follow the rhythm to survive.

I was just enjoying the rhythm and the way the sun and water tingled in my leaves when I hear, “Dear lord, Ben, look what you have done.”

In a flash I am standing on the ground in a hole. The boards of the porch are missing around me in a large circle. My grandmother is staring at me with her hands on her hips. Which over years of being around her, I realized was not good. The only time she puts her hands on her hips is when she is mad.

I look up and see there is a hole in the roof of the porch also. I look down at my feet as I begin to shuffle them and say, “Sorry.”

“That's probably going to take weeks to fix, and how am I going explain it? A meteor hit my house?” she asks.

At that moment I remember that large chunks of ice falling in strange places. Why that came to mind I don't know. I look up sadly at grandma, “You could say one of those ice bombs fell. You know the ones that fall in a clear sky.”

She drops her hands and looks up in thought. “Hm, that would work,” she then looks at me with a smile. “Well come on to the back yard, I have something I need your help with.” She turns and walks into the house. All I could think was, That was a close one.

I climbed out of the hole and went to the back yard, through the house. Standing just outside the door was mom and grandma. In grandma's hand was a magazine. She notices me and points to a spot on the ground slightly away from the house, “Stand here please.”

I obliged looking at her strangely. She then opens the magazine and shows me a picture of a jacuzzi, “Look at that would you honey?”

I looked at the picture of the jacuzzi. Then it dawns on me what she might be doing, “Ewe,” I said.

Mom and grandma laugh then grandma says, “Well it was worth a try.” She takes the magazine and heads in the house, “Come on then, I have something else for you.” You can hear her giggling while she goes in. My mother motions at the door and she follows me in. I felt like a trapped rat.

When I got into the living room, she is looking through what appears to be a newspaper insert advertisement. She shows me an industrial carpet cleaner, “Do you mind?”

I look at her wondering if she had an ulterior motive. I figured that the idea of being a carpet cleaner was lots better than being a hot tub. The idea of my grandmother and mother inside me creeped me out. Every time I think of that I can't help but shiver.

I stare at the picture for just a short time. The next thing I know I am blind again and it feels like a part of me is getting unwound. I feel a part of me drop and then my grandmother's voice, “Can you plug me in honey?”

I feel a surge of energy flow through me. I feel it course through a part of me, then stop. It was like some block was preventing it from continuing. All I could think of was go away block, I want this feeling to go all though me. Almost on cue the block is gone. I feel my inside wiring with action. Then a strange feeling of gaining waste. I couldn't tell where or why, but I knew I was heavier. Then I get a strange feeling of something external on me. A split second after, I just start breathing in. I kept waiting to exhale, but I just kept sucking in air. I began to feel myself move. As I moved I felt myself spit. Sometimes it would be short and other times long. I began to wonder how anyone could spit that long. With each spit I felt myself get lighter. At one point I couldn't spit any more. Right after, I would feel myself gain weight again. This repeated for what seemed to me about a half hour.

I find myself standing in the kitchen facing my mom and grandma. It takes me a few seconds to hear them talking.

“Next time I need to make sure the picture has attachments,” my grandmother says to my mom.

“That would have been nice,” my mother replies, “So getting his attention will break it sometimes?”

“Yes, only if he is able to hear you. It seems that sound is not one of the abilities of a carpet cleaner. So you have to wait two or three hours for it to wear off,” after my grandmother stops they both look in my direction.

“There is chicken on the stove if you are hungry, Ben,” my mother says as she points to the table behind me.

I then realize that I feel like I was at an all you can eat buffet, and I ate it all. “No I'm full,” I reply absentmindedly.

Grandma shifts to face me more directly, and says, “I figured as much. The others are watching some show on TV if you want to join, otherwise there is a huge area to run around in.”

I did feel like I could run several marathons, but just relaxing and watching television sounded better. “Thank you,” I said heading to the front room in a daze..

As I was leaving the kitchen I heard my grandmother say, “Yeah he will never gain weight that way either. Use to irritate me since I just look at food and gain ten pounds.”

Her voice fades, and I hear some more from the television. It sounded like some gun fight. I couldn't tell you what show it was, because I really didn't watch it. I just sat in the front room in a stupor.

We stayed there for a week. I'm sure my dad loved the piece and quiet. During that time I experimented with different items to transform into. The only request from my grandmother was not to do it in the house. Of course my brother had to help me. He had some varying items he wanted me to change into. Luckily he couldn't trick me into using this gift. All I had to do was close my eyes, or just keep blinking. Although I will have to admit some of his ideas had merit. I couldn't change into any animal. I was able to turn into some insects. We found a magazine with some still photos of insects, since no insect would hold still long enough for me to stare at it though.