Free Gifted: Finders Keepers by Marilyn Kaye Page A

couldn’t tell his friends – they’d just laugh. And how could he explain his own interest without revealing his gift? Lucy knew about it, but he was afraid to talk to her about anything. She’d only think he was coming on to her. So for once he was really looking forward to the gifted class. His classmates were the only people he could tell.
    He arrived early at class that Monday. Emily was the only other student already there.
    ‘I bought a Get Well Soon card for Amanda,’ she told Ken. ‘Will you sign it?’
    Ken grimaced. Of course he’d have to sign it – it would be childish and mean to refuse. And it wasn’t as if he wanted her to die, or suffer terribly. But what would he write?
    Emily had already contributed her message. ‘Hi, Amanda, we miss you!!! Get well quickly!!! Love, Emily.’
    After thinking a moment, he scrawled,‘I hope you feel better soon. Best wishes, Ken Preston.’ It was the kind of thing you’d write on a card that was going to someone you barely knew. But that was how he felt about her now.
    He sat at his desk and waited impatiently for the others to arrive. Emily made each of them sign the card, and when Madame arrived she had to sign it too.
    As soon as the bell rang, his hand flew up. So did Tracey’s . Madame called on her first.
    ‘Madame, could we take up a collection to send Amanda some flowers?’
    ‘That’s a nice idea, Tracey,’ Madame said.
    Charles didn’t think so. ‘Her family’s rich. They can afford to buy her plenty of flowers.’
    Madame frowned. ‘That’s not the point, Charles. We want Amanda to know we’re thinking about her.’
    Martin raised his hand. ‘ I’m not thinking about her.’
    Jenna turned to him. ‘Just fake it, Martin. It’s the right thing to do.’
    ‘I think she likes roses,’ Tracey said. ‘Yellow ones would be nice.’
    ‘Roses are really expensive,’ Emily said. ‘I don’t know if we’ll be able to collect that much money. Are tulips in season now?’
    Ken slumped in his seat. Personally, he felt like agreeing with Charles and Martin. But mainly he wanted this discussion of flowers to end so he could bring up his news.
    Finally the money was collected and Emily said she’d go to the florist and see what kind of flowers they could buy. The second she finished speaking, Ken put his hand up, and Madame nodded to him.
    ‘There’s something I want to tell the class about,’ he said. ‘Last Friday night I went to a seance.’
    ‘What’s a seance?’ Martin asked.
    Madame answered for Ken. ‘It’s a ritual where people try to contact friends and family who have passed on.’ She frowned.‘What were you doing there, Ken?’
    ‘I just thought it would be interesting,’ he said. ‘To meet people who do what I do.’
    Now Madame looked seriously concerned. ‘Did you participate in the seance, Ken? Did you let people know about your gift?’
    ‘No, no, nothing like that,’ he assured her. ‘I was just listening. Anyway, there was this kid—’
    He was interrupted before he could get any further. ‘Are you nuts?’ Jenna asked. ‘Those things are scams.’
    ‘You don’t know if that’s true,’ he declared. ‘Hey, if I can talk to the dead, there must be other people who can do it.’
    But Madame was shaking her head. ‘That’s not necessarily true, Ken. Your gift may be unique.’
    ‘I don’t think so,’ Ken argued. ‘This medium, Cassandra, she wants to help people. She doesn’t even charge money for coming to the seance.’
    Madame didn’t look convinced. ‘I’m sorry, Ken, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to attend meetings like that. You’ll be urged to join in. You may feel compelled to share your gift.’
    Ken scowled. ‘I can control myself, Madame.’
    ‘That’s not true,’ Jenna interjected. ‘You’re always saying how you can’t control your gift.’
    Ken glared at her. ‘I meant, I know how to keep my mouth shut.’
    ‘I’m sure you do,’ Madame said smoothly.