Free NANOVISION: What Would You Do With X-ray Vision? by Paul Harry Page B

We’re the
ones who have bent over backwards to help you. I could have said ‘no’, when
Judy Salinski came to me, but I didn’t. I took you in and I have gone over and
above making sure you have everything you need to get your life back in order.
And this is how you show your appreciation? Yelling at your cousin, swearing,
breaking the dishes. No more young man−no more. We deserve
better−much better. And you owe Katie an apology. Especially with all
she’s done for you−helping you learn Braille, seeing to it that you have
someone to take walks with−that you’re not alone...”
    From behind his
dark glasses, tears began to trickle down Daniel’s face. Slowly his pain seeped
out, the sobs, soft at first, became hard.
    “I’m sorry... I’m
sorry Aunt Ethyl... it’s just that I miss him. I miss him so damn much. And the
last thing I remember is hating him. Hating him for making us poor, taking my
things and selling them. And now I just want to tell him how much I miss him...
that I love him and I can’t...”
    Cognizant of the
real issue behind Daniel’s outburst, Ethel’s anger faded. She couldn’t remember
him really talking about Steven−he kept so much bottled up inside.
Gathering up Daniel in her arms, she hugged him tightly, rocking him gently. 
    “It’s okay, Daniel...
it’s okay. I’m sure he knows.” Tears clouded her eyes. 
    “I never got to
say goodbye,” he sobbed. “I don’t even know where he’s buried.”
    “We’ll find out,
Daniel. We’ll find a way for you to say goodbye. I promise.”
    From out in the
hallway Katie stood silently watching−tears in her eyes.
    Later that night,
after everyone had eaten and things had settled, Daniel returned to his room
and his homework. There was a soft knock on the door.
    He looked up from
the bed. “Yes,” he responded.
    “May I come in?” Katie
asked.
    “Sure”
    With a bit of
reservation Katie entered. In her hands she carried a chessboard, a small
drawstring pouch, and a book. She approached Daniel’s bed and sat on the end.
    “You wanna play
chess?” she asked.
    “Don’t know how,”
he answered with a shrug.
    “You’re kidding?
It’s a great game. My Dad taught me when I was four.”
    Daniel smiled
weakly and set the book he was reading aside. 
    “How can I play
if I can’t see?” he asked. 
    “It’s easy, lots
of people play without seeing. Some even on the Internet or by mail.”
    “Mail?” 
    “Yeah, you know,
snail mail. In the olden days, people would mail their moves to other people
across the country−even the ocean.”
    “Sounds like a
lot of trouble.”
    “So? You wanna
learn?”
    “Naw.” 
    “What’s a matter?
−‘fraid a girl might beat you?” 
    “No!” 
    “Well, it’s not
like you have anything else to do.” Katie covered her mouth, but the words were
already out. “I’m sorry,” she apologized, “that was mean.”
    Embarrassed, she
began to pick up the board, the book, and the pouch, but Daniel reached out and
stopped her.
    “Mean, but true,”
he said, grinning. “So, how do you play?”
    Katie’s smile
reached from ear to ear. She set the book entitled: Teaching Chess to the
Blind down on the bed, and opened the chess board. She then opened the
pouch and dumped the chess pieces out. “Okay first thing...”

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Twenty-One
     
    "Happy birthday to you.
    Happy birthday to you.
    Happy birthday dear Daniel.
    Happy birthday to you!"
     
    Daniel had
arrived. He was finally twenty-one and the house was decorated with balloons
and crepe paper along with the rest of the trappings that make for a momentous
occasion. For the young man it was the crowning finale to the last four years.
His life had changed so much, tumultuous at first, but finally easing into a
reign of peace and tranquility. He and the Santini family had come together,
their lives boring to the point of routine and stability−and Daniel’s
salvation. Katie was twelve and turning into a beautiful