After giving Suzie a goodbye kiss, Sean stepped out of the car holding a huge bag containing his new school clothes. He watched the car pull out of the driveway. Tired, he headed to the front door thinking that he would take a nice long nap. Stepping in the house, he found Lily, his father, and Mr. Emery watching baseball on television. Pasting a smile on his face, he said, "Hello, everyone."
"Hello, Sean," Lily said with a smile.
His father said, "Hi, son. I heard there was a little excitement at the mall."
Mr. Emery looked at Sean through narrowed eyes and growled.
Glancing over at Mr. Emery, Sean swallowed and then said, "Yes. A troll tore up the store. The police didn't believe me until the troll stomped a police car into a pancake outside the mall."
"We saw it on television," his father said.
Nodding her head, Lily said, "That troll was real ugly."
"Stomp was a nice enough fellow when I talked with him," Sean said. He looked over at Mr. Emery and smiled at him. He received a growl in return.
"I guess appearances can be deceiving," Lily said. She smiled and said, "He looks kind of strong. I like strong boys."
"You can date when you're fifty," her father said automatically.
"I'm going to be a cheerleader when I grow up," Lily said crossing her arms.
"No you're not," Sean said automatically.
Looking at Lily, her father said, "You and I are going to have a long talk about boys later."
"You tell her, Dad. Young girls need a strong hand from their fathers when it comes to dealing with boys," Sean said.
"You're right," his father said.
"I wouldn't trust any boy that came around here to see Lily. You don't know what they're like," Sean said. He felt pretty good until he glanced in Mr. Emery's direction. He mumbled, "I've got to learn to keep my mouth shut."
Mr. Emery growled while looking at Sean.
Sean swallowed heavily and decided that a change in subject was needed. Trying to sound as enthusiastic as possible, he said, "So what do you think of those Democrats, Mr. Emery?"
"I'm a Democrat," Mr. Emery said.
"So you must really like Democrats," Sean said thinking he could have picked a worse topic.
"Not really," Mr. Emery said.
"So what do you think of those Republicans?" Sean said forcing a large smile on his face.
"I'm also a Republican," Mr. Emery said.
Sean's smile faltered for a second. He said, "What do you think of those Independents?"
"I am an Independent," Mr. Emery said enjoying watching Sean sweat.
"Green Party?"
"Yes, I'm a member."
"Anarchist Party?"
"Member in good standing."
Sean looked around for a second trying to come up with something to say. Finally, he said, "You have pretty diverse political views."
"Not really."
"You're not making this easy," Sean said still trying to keep a smile on his face.
"That's right," Mr. Emery said.
"Oh, boy," Sean said. He looked to his father and asked, "Any suggestions?"
"You look like you're doing fine, son," his father answered sitting back in his chair with his hands behind his head. He had a big smile on his face. He remembered having a few discussions just like that with his father-in-law.
"Appearances can be deceiving," Sean said looking over at Mr. Emery with a worried expression on his face. The man looked even angrier than when he had come home.
His father said, "Mrs. Michaels didn't raise a fool. I'd never step in between a father and his daughter's boyfriend. That's a real good way to get hurt."
Sean muttered, "I wish I had to go to work now."
"What was that?" his father asked.
"I was just thinking about work," Sean said.
Mr. Emery patted the couch next to him and said, "All work and no play can make Sean a very dull boy. Come here. Have a seat and watch the game."
"Uh, who is playing?" Sean asked thinking that sitting next to Mr. Emery would put him within arm's reach. He wasn't sure that was such a great idea. In fact, he was pretty sure that it was a very bad idea.
"I wouldn't worry about little details like that if I were you. It doesn't matter," Mr. Emery said.
Impressed, Lily said, "Isn't Mr. Emery a nice man? Suzie wants you to do perverted things with her and he invites you to sit next to him."
Sean suddenly became a firm believer in the virtue of cowardliness. It was time to retreat. Lifting his bag containing his school clothes, Sean said, "Let me put these away and I'll join you in a bit."
His father rose from the couch and took the sack from his hands. Patting Sean on the shoulder, he said, "That's okay. I'll take them upstairs for you."
"I'm not going to get out of this, am I?" Sean asked.
"That's right," his father answered thinking that Sean looked a lot like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck. Turning to look over at Mr. Emery, he asked, "Would you like another beer?"
Mr. Emery said, "Sure, I'd love one."
Edging over to the couch, Sean asked, "Will you promise me one thing?"
"What?" Mr. Emery asked.
"Will you ask Lily to leave the room before the blood starts to flow," Sean answered. He sat down and flinched when a hand settled on his shoulder. He glanced at the hand thinking that it was pretty close to his throat.
"Good idea," Mr. Emery said with a grin. Looking over at Lily, he said, "Lily, why don't you help your daddy take that stuff up to Sean's room?"
Lily went over to her father and said, "Isn't that nice? They want to be alone while they play together."
"Very nice," Sean's father said leaving the room.
After Lily left the room, Mr. Emery looked over at Sean. He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. To Sean, it kind of sounded like a bull snorting before it charged. Mr. Emery asked, "What do you have to say for yourself?"
Sean was definitely not expecting a question. Pretty sure that it was a trick question, Sean answered, "I bleed pretty easily."
"I'm talking about you and Suzie," Mr. Emery said shaking his head.
"I'm crazy about her," Sean said hoping that was the right answer. He wondered if there was a book to read that would allow him to prepare for tests like this. If not, someone should publish one. He would definitely buy a copy.
"She spent the night with you," Mr. Emery said.
Sean sat there for a moment waiting for the rest of the question. When he realized that there wasn't a question, he wondered if he was supposed to say something. Having heard the breakfast conversation, he knew that it wouldn't do any good to lie. Finally, he shut his eyes, cringed, and said, "Yes."
"Was it your idea?"
Sean nervously licked his lips and answered, "I was in no condition to think well enough to have an idea, sir."
"Were you drinking?"
"No," Sean answered feeling good that he was able to come up with an immediate answer for a change.
"Drugs?"
"No," Sean answered thinking that getting two easy questions in a row was pretty good.
"So why weren't you thinking?" Mr. Emery asked. There was an edge to his voice that sent a shiver down Sean's spine.
Sean blurted out the first thing that came to mind, "She kissed me."
"And?"
"I can't think when she kisses me," Sean said holding out his hands. He knew it was a pretty stupid answer, but it was the truth.
"I remember how that was," Mr. Emery said shaking his head.
"Oh?"
Mr. Emery took another deep breath and exhaled loudly. Sean wished he would stop doing that. It really did remind him of a bull about to charge. Mr. Emery said, "You had better treat her nice. Let her set the pace and don't pressure her into doing anything she doesn't want to do. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, sir," Sean said.
"You do know what is going to happen to you if you hurt her?" Mr. Emery asked.
Sean was glad to have another question that he knew how to answer, despite the fact that he didn't like the answer. He said, "Mrs. Emery will take me to the vet. You will cut me up into little pieces and feed me to the troll."
Mr. Emery looked at Sean wondering what threats his wife had used on him. Curious, he asked, "What is going to happen at the vet?"
"He's going to cut my balls off," Sean answered squeezing his legs together. Just saying it was painful enough.
Mr. Emery smiled and said, "I didn't even think of that. Taking you to the vet now would eliminate all of my concerns."
"Why did I know you would say that?" Sean asked shaking his head.
Mr. Emery said, "Maybe there's hope for you yet."
Sean's father returned to the room and asked, "Is everything worked out?"
"Yes," Mr. Emery said.
"Yes," Sean said feeling somewhat relieved. He figured that he could live with threats with much greater ease than a broken body.
"Good," Sean's father said handing a beer over to Mr. Emery.
Lily looked at Sean and said, "No blood. I was kind of wondering what you'd look like all beaten and battered."
"I would have been red," Sean said rolling his eyes.
"Who's winning?" Sean's father asked gesturing to the game.
"Mr. Emery is," Sean said gesturing to the man seated next to him.
"Not so dumb after all," Mr. Emery said with a chuckle.
"So did you go to Shirley's Treasures with Suzie?" Lily asked brightly.
"I don't want to talk about it," Sean said shaking his head. He really wanted to get some tape and tape her mouth shut. A few more questions like that and he'd be visiting the vet.
Sean's mother chose that moment to arrive home from Suzie's house. She held up the bag with the Shirley's Treasures label on it and said, "Look at where we've been."
Sean was getting convinced that the universe was out to get him. He slumped in his chair and moaned. He mumbled, "Just when I thought I was going to live."
"Oh, nice," Sean's father said sitting up straighter. He was more than a little curious about what was in the bag.
"You were at Shirley's Treasures?" Mr. Emery asked looking over at Sean.
"I didn't do anything," Sean protested.
"Why don't I believe that?" Mr. Emery asked. He had once gone to a lingerie store when he was dating and lots of things happened as a result of that little visit.
Sean gestured to his mother and said, "She was there. Mrs. Emery was there. Mrs. Baxter was there. Everybody in the whole neighborhood was there. It was like a block party. There was even a troll there. The only ones not there were you and dad."
"A party?" Mr. Emery asked fighting to keep from smiling.
"Max and I just sat there trying to look small," Sean said.
"Max?" Sean's father asked.
"Clea was there too," Sean said. Thinking about it, his whole visit to the temple dedicated to making women look sexy had not been that much fun.
"You should see what your wife bought," Sean's mother said with a smile.
"Oh yeah?"
"Real sexy," Sean's mother said seeing that she had his full attention. She added, "I think there was even some material missing in the crotch area."
Mr. Emery stood up and said, "I better be heading home, now. I've probably over stayed my welcome. I really should leave. I'd hate to be a bad guest by overstaying. I really must go now."
"Sure," Sean's father said eyeing the bag his wife was holding.
Mr. Emery fled the room. Sean wondered if he should have used that line on Mr. Emery upon arriving home. His whole return home would have been very different if he had. He looked at the front door and said, "He sure was in a hurry to leave."
Turning back to face the rest of the room, he discovered that his mother and father had left the room. Sean and Lily were left in the living room looking at each other. Lily said, "I'd rather watch cartoons."
"Me too," Sean said after glancing at the television. He still didn't know who was playing.
"The rabbit?" Lily asked.
"Why not?"
Lily put the cassette into the VCR and then sat down on the couch next to Sean. She said, "I like watching cartoons with you."
"Same here," Sean said. It was definitely much better than talking with Mr. Emery.
"So did you do perverted things with Suzie?" Lily asked.
"No," Sean answered.
Lily said, "From the way Dad and Mr. Emery were talking, it sure sounded that way."
"I'm sure it did," Sean said.
"So did Suzie give you a fashion show?" Lily asked.
"What's with all of the interest in me and Suzie?" Sean asked wanting to deflect the question.
"I'm just curious," Lily answered.
"Curiosity killed the cat," Sean said.
"Have you got something against cats?" Lily asked.
Sean laughed and said, "I've just been about around Mrs. Emery too much."
Suzie glanced over at the television and said, "This is funny. The rabbit is talking to the hunter. He's going to dive into the hole and then move it to the side so that hunter dives into the ground."
"You don't say," Sean said.
"See," Lily said pointing to the screen.
"That's funny," Sean said. He put an arm around Lily and hugged her to him. A few minutes later he was sound asleep.
The next thing Sean knew was his mother calling out, "Dinner is ready."
He woke with a start wondering how long he had been asleep. Getting up from the couch, he stretched and yawned. He made his way to the dinner table. His mother had made a nice barbecue brisket in the crock pot. His stomach rumbled at the idea of eating it. He was the last one to the table and sat down.
While the plates were passed around, his mother said, "Suzie was really impressed with how you defended her honor."
"Oh," Sean said. He had kind of forgotten about that in all of the excitement that resulted from the appearance of the troll.
"He defended her honor? What happened?" his father asked.
"I'd rather not talk about it," Sean said losing his appetite. It was a shame because barbecued brisket was one of his favorite meals.
Ignoring him, his mother said, "Well, I must admit that the story was a little confusing. It appears that Sean ordered a bra to pick up a paddle and spank the girl who called Suzie a slut."
"Huh?" his father asked puzzled by the explanation.
"Uh oh," Sean said. He held up a hand to his ear and said, "I think the Dwarves are calling me. Better go see what they want."
"A bra?" Lily said clueing into the one word that interested her.
"Yes, a bra. It appears that Sean has the ability to make things do what he wants them to do," his mother said. Smiling at Sean, she asked, "Did I get that right?"
Wanting to avoid answering the question, Sean took a bite of his barbecued brisket thinking it would give him a chance to come up with a reasonable answer. Tasting the food, he frowned. He said, "This tastes funny."
"Don't change the subject," his mother said.
"If you don't believe me, then taste it yourself," Sean said pushing the plate away.
"What?" his mother asked looking at the slices of brisket on her plate.
"It tastes kind of sour," Sean said.
His father tasted the brisket and grimaced. He said, "Sean's right."
His mother tasted it. She made a face and then pushed the plate away. Shrugging her shoulders, she said, "The store was out of regular brisket so I used corned beef brisket. I guess they aren't the same thing."
"They aren't," Sean said.
"I know that now," his mother replied.
"So what are we going to do for supper?" Sean asked.
"We'll go to the Surf and Turf," his father answered.
"After you tell us about how you can order stuff to do things," his mother added looking across the table at him.
With three pairs of eyes staring at him, Sean knew that he wasn't going to get out of telling them. He looked at the napkin in his hand and then threw it up in the air. He said, "Dance."
The napkin danced around in the air. Everyone except Sean watched it. He said, "You can't tell anyone. I'm pretty sure that I'd end up locked away in the lab of some mad scientists."
"You're right," his father said watching the napkin.
"Cool," Lily said obviously impressed. "Do you think they'd operate on your brain?"
"Probably," Sean said.
"I'd like to see that," Lily said with an excited grin on her face.
"No you wouldn't," Sean's mother said frowning at Lily.
Sean's father watched the napkin dance wondering how one discovered that they had that talent. He asked, "When did you learn that you could do that?"
"It was a magic gift from the Dwarves," Sean answered.
"Oh," his father said looking in the direction of the backyard. It seemed to him that the Dwarves were behind a lot of the things that happened around Sean. He was impressed that Sean's truck ran off of water.
"When did you get that gift?" his mother asked suspecting that she knew the answer.
"That day I got into the fight with Max," Sean answered.
Nodding her head, his mother said, "That makes sense."
Sean's father asked, "So are there any limits to what you can do?"
"I can only directly control things that weight less than a couple of ounces. I have to be able to see it in order to control it. I can't move air or anything like that," Sean answered with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Oh," his father said thinking about it.
"Lift the glass," Sean said pointing to his glass of milk. "I can order light things to move heavier things for me."
The napkin swooped down and wrapped around the glass. It lifted the glass up in the air. The glass hung in the air for a second and then slipped down. Milk went everywhere when the glass hit the table. He shrugged and said, "It isn't perfect."
His mother stared at the mess. She said, "You can say that again. You better clean that up."
Sean shrugged his shoulders and sent a dozen napkins to clean up the spill. While everyone stared at the napkins moving around the table, he said, "I kind of have to carry stuff around with me that I can use. If I had a pair of rubber gloves, the glass wouldn't have slipped out."
"That explains why you bought those pants with all of those pockets," his mother said. She had thought he was crazing getting pants with pockets everywhere. This little revelation cleared a lot of things up in her mind.
"What kind of stuff?" his father asked.
"Little pieces of cloth, string, wire, a razor blade, gloves, and marbles," Sean answered. He actually had a pretty good collection of stuff on his desk, but he could only carry a small fraction of it with him. He added, "I figure that it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for anything that might happen."
"Marbles?" his father asked.
"I can launch a marble like a bullet," Sean answered.
Lily frowned and said, "I think Mr. Emery is pretty lucky that he didn't hit you. I think you could have really hurt him."
"I couldn't do that," Sean said.
"Why not?" Lily asked.
Sean noticed that his mother and father were paying close attention to him. He answered, "He's Suzie's father. I wouldn't hurt him."