Free Alice 1 by Ernest Kinnie Page A

the psychic world. All young people except for a
well-dressed, white haired lady. I did my shy dance and they gave
me a warm welcome. The old lady, Cynthia Crowley, wasn’t the
leader, more like a mentor.
    Gary led a short meditation to ground us and
clear our minds from the cares of the day. The agenda was
psychokinesis. He took out small pieces of paper and matchsticks,
and we tried to move them with our minds. Brought back memories of
my babyhood, so long ago.
    Not much luck. Sometimes a small piece of paper
moved, but I suspect someone was breathing hard. Mrs. Crowley
suggested we slow down our minds even more, and led a meditation
that did a pretty good job of moving our brain waves from beta
toward alpha.
    See.
    I’m reading my textbooks.
    It worked. Some were able to move the paper a
little, the match sticks just sat. So the Gift is not only
inherited but can be developed with hard work. Glad I was born
lucky. Sadly, when it came to my turn the paper didn’t even
flutter.
    The group was so excited, tonight was obviously
a major breakthrough. I was tempted to help out a little but they
need honest feedback.
    After the meeting Mrs. Crowley gave me a
piece of paper with an address and invited me to come to her home
tomorrow evening. Ashara is a greedy, sneaky little kid.
     

CHAPTER 20
    The Special Delivery came as we were eating
breakfast. Yes, she shrieked as you would expect and came running
into the kitchen waving the check. At least for that magic moment
she looked young and beautiful. She thought her mother mentioned an
Uncle Fred but wasn’t sure.
    She’s going to use the money to pay off the rest
of the mortgage and buy me clothes. She was so excited and I was
just as excited because I’ll make sure she buys clothes for herself
as well. I protested of course but she was very firm. I relented
but made her promise to add more ways to help around the house.
    After breakfast we shopped all day. At first
she didn’t want to buy anything for herself, but I picked out a
cute, little outfit and she was shocked how nice she looks. No
problem after that.
    ____________________
    The Crowleys live on the correct side of campus,
where the administrators and full professors have their little
cottages. I was surprised there wasn’t a butler with white gloves
showing me in, but no, Mrs. Crowley herself graciously led to the
sitting room. Mr. Crowley stood, shook hands, and we sat down
around a small table.
    “Thank you so much for coming, Alice. Would you
like coffee or tea?”
    “Coffee please, and thank you for inviting me.”
Coffee was poured and a silver tray with cookies and scones passed
around.
    Yes, I know all about scones. The parents in one
of my foster homes were Scottish. Never liked scones much, except
when generously smeared with orange marmalade, and that marmalade
better be from Scotland.
    Such a wonderful time when I was 15. My handsome
foster-father enlivened my life back then by generously sharing his
passion for scones and sex. He was a wonderful teacher, and I am so
grateful for the love, joy and scones we shared.
    Oh my, another heresy to enrage the
righteous.
    Would anyone like to kiss my pretty
kitty again?
    “I watched your attempts to move the paper last
night and am a little puzzled. I sense you have the Gift.”
    “I tried hard and was so surprised when others
succeeded. I didn’t know you could do that.”
    “Yes, it can be quite a shock.”
    “I hope you don’t mind,” Mr. Crowley began.
“This morning I talked to some friends at the University. Your
guidance counselor feels you have enormous academic potential and
have passed an amazing number of opt-out tests.”
    “Mr. Taylor has been so helpful. I would never
have been able to pass those tests without his support and
guidance.” Maybe I’m buttering the bread a little thick.
    “Mrs. Crowley and I are on the board of a
foundation that provides support for promising young students. You
apparently have limited resources. Would