The Coffee Shop Pt. 05

"I was assaulted a few weeks ago, and badly injured," I began.

"Yes, the Council is aware of that. We know all about your condition and that you were released today," Mary interrupted me.

"You do?" I asked, surprised at her statement.

"Did you forget that we told you we would be monitoring you? We know as much about your medical condition as your doctors," Mary said. "I am aware of all the medical facts. Please return to describing the encounter you alluded to."


"So you have agents in the hospital staff?" I asked.

"We have agents everywhere, but we are drifting from the reason for your visit. Please continue with your story," Mary said directing me back on track.

I looked at Mary for a few seconds, as I considered what she had just told me. Agents everywhere. It wasn't a comforting though. I sighed and then continued speaking. "I was leaving the hospital today, and Andy's parents came to meet us. Actually they wanted to meet me. When I shook hands with Andy's father, my mind became flooded with images, sounds, feelings and emotions. I nearly blacked out. I wasn't trying to read his mind, but I think that is what happened. I have tried to make sense of what was thrust into my mind, but every time I try, the thoughts and images slip away. I can't seem to get a grip on them. I thought you could explain to me what happened, and help me sort out the images." I looked a t Mary waiting for her response.

"Yes, I can help you on both counts," Mary replied after a minute or so. "There will be a price however."

"Why am I not surprised?" I asked in a jaded tone of voice. "How much do you want?"

"I am not talking about money," Mary said coolly. "The price is that you agree to cooperate with the next round of tests put forth by the Council of Coins." Mary stopped speaking. She appeared to be waiting for my response.

"Why does the Council of Coins need my agreement to test me?"I asked. "They seemed to do that just fine without my cooperation the last few times." I was still a little irked about the Council of Coins test where they had faked killing Andy, in an attempt to have me explain how my powers worked. Since I still did not know exactly how I was able to drain super hypnosis powers from other gifted people, I wasn't able to explain the process to them. The last test with Martin and Hoyt could have turned out a lot worse than it did. I was lucky I was able to rekindle Martin and Hoyt's relationship. I was becoming very tired of the tests the Council of Coins was putting me through. But, I needed Mary's help, so I knew I had to agree to her terms, as much as I disliked the idea.

"The next round of tests requires that you put forth your best effort. Before wasting anyone's time, the Council of Coins needs you to give your word, that you will participate fully in the tests," Mary said.

"Fine. You have my word that I will do my best when the Council of Coins tests me," I agreed reluctantly. I didn't at all like the idea of being tested yet again by the Council of Coins, but I did need Mary's help.

"Good. Now pay attention while I explain what it was that you experienced," Mary said in that calm motherly voice she used when she had first trained me. "The problem that you encountered is the result of contacting someone with very low or nonexistent mental barriers in their mind. This can be a natural condition. It can also be brought about by the emotional state of that person and how they relate to you. I suspect that Andy's father had some strong negative feelings about you, which he was hiding. Your super hypnotic powers tapped into that emotional energy and broke through whatever natural barriers were in that man's mind. It was an instinctive reaction on the part of your super hypnotic powers. It is similar to the creepy feeling you feel when you are in a situation that poses some type of threat to you. There was nothing you could have done to avoid it. With experience and practice though, you can learn to lessen in impact it has upon you."

"You mean I can learn to block this action?" I asked.


"No, you can't prevent it from happening, because it is instinctive. You can learn to control how it affects you, and to shunt the acquired information off into another part of your mind, where you can examine it later, at your leisure," Mary answered.

"So now I'm snooping in on other people's thoughts even though I don't want to?" I asked hoping I was wrong.

"Yes, but only because they present some type of threat to you," Mary emphasized. "This is but another part of the price you pay for having your powers. I never told you there would not be consequences to learning how to use your powers." Mary looked at me, as if she was daring me to contradict her. She was right, damn it, and I knew it.

I looked at her and thought about what she said. Slowly it dawned on me. If what she said was correct, it meant that Andy's Dad was a threat to me. I found that hard to believe, because I'd never even met the man before today. Then another idea occurred to me. Maybe there was an answer in the information I'd gleamed from Andy's Dad's mind.

"Yes, Mister Anderson Senior has been identified as some type of threat to you, Paul. It is time we examine the information you copied from his mind. I must caution you that this will not be pleasant for either of us. You should also be aware that the Council of Coins guidelines I spoke of earlier, require me to keep the information you are about to share with me, completely confidential," Mary said in her motherly compassionate voice. She looked at me for a moment or two, and smiled in an attempt to reassure me.

She took a few deep breaths and looked over at me. "I am ready now. Let me know when you wish to begin."

"Do it. Now. Before I change my mind," I said gritting my teeth. I decided not to ask her to qualify if 'completely confidential' meant that she would withhold the information from the Council of Coins. I wasn't naive enough to think that her position on the Council of Coins didn't mean that there might be a conflict of interest here. I needed her help as well as her cooperation, so I kept my peace.

"Don't tense up. Relax, Paul," she said as she positioned herself in front of me She reached up and placed her hands so that they cupped my face. "I'm here to help you. Just like I did when I trained you. Just close your eyes and let me in, as far as you want."

Her voice was soothing. I discovered to my surprise that I could let her into my mind. Her mental touch was as warm, soft and gentle as I remembered from all those years ago. It didn't hurt. It wasn't scary. I started to enjoy Mary's mental presence in my mind. She followed me as we walked through my mind, ignoring all the side paths and corridors that we passed. She did not ask questions about where we were going. She respected my privacy to the umpteenth degree, and that allowed me to relax completely. Now we were able to get to work.

Soon, with her mental guidance I was able to locate the memories from Andy's Dad's mind. Mary showed me how to sort the jumble bits and pieces into a composite that made sense. With her help I was able to slowly replay the memories like a video tape, in my mind. Learning new mental skills like these was very exciting. I felt a surge of satisfaction and accomplishment. It was a good thing too, because what I learned from playing the tape back, nearly broke my heart.

In my mind's eye I saw three large well built men standing in front of me. Their features were clear, but I did not recognize them. They were handsome men, and appeared to be physically fit. That's all I had time to notice before I started to hear Andy's Dad's voice talking with three other men. It was so strange. I could hear Andy's Dad's voice speaking the words in my mind, as if he was right there, and yet at the same time I was Andy's Dad saying those words, and feeling those emotions as I spoke to the three men.


"He's lost perspective. He doesn't understand the consequences of his actions. He could easily ruin his career. And for what? Some whimpy guy who he has a crush on. I won't stand by and watch him destroy all that he's worked for. I love him too much to let that happen."

"It's his life, Simon. He's a big boy," one of the men said.

"Are you going to help me or not?" The anger in those words took the men by surprise. They actually stepped back a pace or two at the intensity.

"Of course we'll help, but I don't see what we can do," the second man said.

"Since I can't talk Andy out of this foolishness, then I have to take the fool out of the picture. I think five minutes with the three of you in a dark alley, plus a few well chosen words, would make the point very clear. Just be sure not to hurt him too badly. I want to drive him away from Andy, not cripple him." Revulsion as well as hatred washed over me as I heard these words .

"And how are we supposed to arrange that?" the third man asked.

"Leave that to me. I'll tell you when and where. Just be sure that he understands he's to leave Andy alone from now on." Now feelings of anticipation and satisfaction crept into my mind.

"You hate gays that much, Simon? Do you hate your son too?" the second man asked.

"Andy's made his choice in his lifestyle. I might not agree with it, but there's nothing I can do to change it. What I can do though, is keep him from making a fool of himself by getting serious with this Paul Walton. Have you seen the man, and I use the term man loosely? He couldn't defend himself from a couple of Girl Scouts selling cookies. To have Andy get serous with Paul Walton would bring disgrace to him and his entire family. I won't stand for that." The anger had returned, and with it a feeling of determination that felt like it was cast in iron.

"How badly do you want him hurt?" the first man asked, with a gleam in his eye.

"He should be in the hospital for a week or two, no more. Don't break his legs or his arms. I don't want him beaten up so badly that he generates some kind of sympathy for gays with the general public. I just want him to stay away from my son. Be sure that part of the message is loud and clear."

"Will do," the third man said nodding. "So when do we do this?"

"I think a Friday night would be best. Maybe on the...."

The last word of the conversation faded away and I felt Mary's presence in my mind again. I also felt very tired. Tired and sad. Mary withdrew from my mind as gently as she had entered it. Slowly I opened my eyes, blinking them several times as I looked about the room. Mary was sitting in the chair in front of me. She looked as tired as I felt. There was silence for several minutes. Neither of us spoke.

"Well, there you have it," she said in a neutral voice. "You now know all that you accidentally downloaded from Mister Anderson Senior's mind."


I looked at her, unsure how to respond. I thought about what I had just heard and seen in my head. It had to be a lie of some type, a fabrication. "How do I know this is the truth, and not something that you made up when you helped me?" I asked her.

"Paul, you of all people should know by now that the mind does not lie. You can lie with your lips and your tongue, but not your mind. The mind can conceal the truth behind a shield, but that is all. Have you forgotten your first lessons with me?" Mary looked at me, waiting for an answer.

"No, I haven't forgotten," I acknowledged. "I just don't want this to be the truth." I was numb. I didn't feel anything right now. I suppose it was the shock of learning the truth.

"What are you going to do with this knowledge? What action do you intend to take?" Mary asked, the neutral expression pasted on her motherly face.

"I don't know," I answered slowly. "I can't tell Andy. It would kill him. I can't keep it a secret from Andy, because that would drive me crazy before too long. Jesus, what do I do?"

"You have to decide before you leave this room," Mary said firmly.

"Or what?" I asked hotly as I felt anger starting to build within me.

"The consequences of not making a decision will cause irreparable harm to yourself, to Andy, and to your relationship with Andy," Mary said like a schoolteacher instructing a slow student. "You cannot walk out that door, and into Andy's loving arms, with what you now know, and expect it to be the same as it has been. What you know about Andy's father has the potential to affect you in many ways, if you let it."

"You seem to have all the answers. What should I do then?" I asked her, feeling angrier by the second.

"First admit how you feel about Andy's father," Mary answered calmly. "Tell me how you feel about him. Tell me what you want to do to him. Tell me what you have the power to do to him."

"I hate him," I answered slowly. The words seemed to fan the flames of my anger. "I want to slam his sanctimonious self-righteous face into the nearest brick wall! I want to pound on him like those thugs pounded on me! I want him to feel every ounce of the pain I felt!!"

"The pain of the beating you took, or the pain you feel now, after finding this out?" Mary asked in that same frustratingly calm voice of hers.

"Both! Neither! Does it matter?" I snapped at her.

"And then what would you do like to do with Mister Anderson Senior?" Mary prompted me, while she ignored my question.

"I want to see him make a total asshole of himself in public! I'd like to see him strip on national television and then make him hump his brains out with some butt ugly troll of a man!" I said with a malicious smile. "I want to make him suffer. I want to see him suffer. I want to savour every second of his humiliation."


"So you want revenge," Mary commented.

"Hell yes!" I answered. "What did you expect me to do, hug and kiss him and forgive him for having the crap beat out of me?!" I yelled as the anger blossomed forth.

"You want revenge. It is an understandable reaction. Pushing that aside for a moment, what else do you feel?" Mary asked me.

I looked at her for a few moments, as I assimilated what she'd just said to me. It was difficult but I pushed the anger aside and calmed myself as best as I was able. For a minute or so I felt blank, empty, as if without the anger I was but a shell. Slowly sadness seeped into the void. Suddenly I felt hot bitter tears flowing down my cheeks. The first sob worked its way out of my throat. Seconds later more followed. Before I knew it, I was sobbing and crying freely. It wasn't loud, but it was deep and painful. I felt as if I'd just had the crap beaten out of me for a second time. .

A beating would have been far kinder than what I now knew. Andy's Dad had arranged for the assault that had been perpetrated on me. The man hated me to a degree that was unthinkable. He saw me as a threat to his son, Andy. I've heard of people having mother-in-law problems, but this was in a whole different league! All of this because I loved his son! Truly, there was no justice in the world.

I don't remember when Mary reached out and held me close. I do remember that she did her best to comfort me. She let me cry my heart out, without saying another word. She knew that the best thing was to let me get it out of my system now, before I had to face anyone else. When I broke away from her embrace and pounded the table with my fists, she silently held on to me, to let me know that someone was there. Someone cared. I swung between sobbing and pounding my fits on the table for a good ten or fifteen minutes. Finally I was too tired to cry and my fists were too bruised to take any more pounding. I sat back in the chair and nursed my hands. I knew I'd be paying for this later tonight. At least I didn't have to worry about work, as I was off on medical leave for a couple of weeks.

"Are you up to talking now?" Mary asked me.

"I guess," I said reluctantly.

"I empathise with your situation, Paul," Mary began calmly. "As tempting as it may be, you cannot take any action against Simon."

"Why the hell not? Who the hell is going to stop me?" I blurted out, cutting Mary off.

She gave me a stern, disapproving look. I looked back at her for a few seconds. "Continue, please," I said.

"The Council of Coins would intervene, to prevent you for enacting your revenge or any type of retribution on Simon Anderson," Mary said. "Not because he warrants protection, but because you cannot be trusted not to go too far and create a situation that would result in too many questions being asked by the wrong people. Surely by now you have come to realize that 'The Gifted' must use their abilities carefully, and not draw undue attention to themselves."

"So what's the good of having all these 'gifts' as you call them, if I can't use them to get even with a son of a bitch that richly deserves it?" I demanded.


"Life is not fair, Paul. It never has been and it never will be. Just because you are gifted, does not grant you rights and privileges beyond those of regular people. If anything, you have more responsibilities because of your gifts."

"So you say," I commented like a sulky little boy who has been told he can't have a cookie because it would spoil his dinner.

"You know I'm right," Mary said with a motherly smile at me. "Once you've calmed down and really thought things through, you'll see that I'm right about this. There is one other much more important reason why you can't give in and act upon your desire for revenge."

"Which is?" I asked, jutting my jaw out at her. I was daring her to come up with a reason that I might buy.

"Andy would never forgive you for doing something like that to his father," Mary said.

Bang on target! Mary had dropped the big one on me, and it was an A-bomb. She was 100% right. If I took my revenge on Simon Anderson (and even now the desire to do that was simmering in the back of my mind) and Andy found out, he would never forgive me. I wasn't so far gone in my thirst for justice (or what I perceived justice to be), that I didn't realize that sooner or later Andy would find out. The guilt would eventually eat away at me and I'd have to tell him. I knew all that, but I didn't like it one little bit.

"So I'm just supposed to smile at the bastard the next time I see him and pretend like I don't know?" I asked.

"Exactly. It is part of the price you pay for having your gifts," Mary said sadly. "To know the truth, and to never reveal it or act upon it, that is what you are bound to do."

"That's impossible," I declared, outraged that she would even suggest such a course of action.

"Not impossible, just very difficult. Consider the advantage you now have," Mary said.

"What advantage?" I asked, perplexed by the shift in her train of thought.

"You now know what type of person Simon Anderson really is. You know you can never trust him, or turn your back on him. Since you have no proof, I would advise not telling Andy what you know. By sticking with Andy, you will frustrate Simon, which will cause him to take action. Eventually he will slip up and the truth will be revealed, to Andy and everyone else," Mary said.

"That could take years!"I said with exasperation.

"During which time, you will have Andy, and he will have you, and Simon will remain a frustrated bitter man getting older each year. What better form of revenge could you ask for?" Mary said with a knowing smile.

"I never thought of it that way," I said as I mulled over Mary's words. They made sense. Certainly they presented an attractive offer to tangling with the Council of Coins. "I guess, I really don't have much choice do I? That is, unless I want to challenge the Council of Coins."


"You always have a choice, Paul. I am trying to help you to make the wisest one for all concerned. I don't want to see you get hurt. I don't want to see the Council have to intervene. I want you to be as happy as you can, and learn from this encounter. You have much to offer Andy. You have a potential that interests the Council of Coins. I do not want to see that potential go to waste. Childish use of your gifts now, to enact revenge on Simon, would be extremely short-sighted of you. It might make you feel good in the short term, but the ultimate price you would pay would be the loss of Andy's respect and love for you," Mary said with quiet dignity.