Free The Tesla Gate by John D. Mimms

to do something and do something quickly; we couldn’t just sit around in the house and hope for the best.
    That was not good for Seth, and as far as I knew this “storm” might pass by morning, returning things to normal, putting Seth back into his impalpable state and pouring salt on the fresh wound in my heart. Dread rose in me so quickly that my breath hitched. I could feel every blood vessel course with panic when I realized the probable truth – I could lose him again. The obvious solution popped into my head like a light flicking on, but I decided I would ease into it first with Seth, to make sure he was still comfortable with the idea and to try to get him in a little better mood. I sat down on the sofa and started the conversation by changing the subject.
    â€œBuddy, how did you get down here without me seeing you?”
    His sad expression turned to a knowing grin as he looked up and pointed his finger.
    I frowned and shook my head, clearly not understanding his inference.
    â€œThrough the ceiling!” he said with his trademark mischievous grin.
    I swallowed hard as understanding dawned.
    â€œYou went through the ceiling?”
    He shook his head and spoke with cocky kid confidence.
    â€œIt’s pretty easy. It doesn’t hurt or nothing … it kinda tickles.”
    â€œCan you go through this chair?” I asked, pointing to the La-Z-Boy in front of me.
    His chest puffed up with importance and he walked to the chair.
    â€œOkay, watch!” he beckoned like an excited kid wanting to demonstrate his diving technique for the first time in the pool.
    I stood up and crossed my arms to indicate I was paying complete attention and smiled supportively. He smiled back and positioned himself behind the chair with a look of intense concentration on his face. He swung his arms frontward and backward a couple of times and moved toward the chair. When he reached the back I didn’t think he would be able to continue as he appeared to stop dead in his tracks, but then he slowly began to move forward like a person walking into a strong wind.
    A few moments later he was fully submerged in the chair with only the top of his head sticking out of the back cushion. Slowly his arms emerged, then his face and torso, he was smiling triumphantly as he moved forward, still immersed from the waist down in the bottom of the recliner. He giggled as he raised his knees like he was high-stepping. His knees popping up out of the seat cushion like that reminded me of that game where gophers pop up out of holes as the player whacks them on the head with a hammer. A few moments later, he was free of the chair and grinning at me like he had just hit a home run to win the big game.
    â€œAwesome!” I exclaimed with sincere pride. And I was proud of my boy, even if what I had just witnessed was beyond bizarre. I also felt as helpless as a man that cannot swim watching his son flounder in deep water. What could I do to help him? I did not know for sure but I suspected my idea might be a start. Now that I had gotten him in a little better spirits, no pun intended, I would lay out my plan. I knew the response it would get before I even opened my mouth. After all, it was the reason that Seth was here with me in the first place.
    â€œSeth, buddy, how would you like to go to Washington, D.C., in the morning?”
    â€œThe Air Space Moozem in Washaton?” he beamed with excitement.
    â€œYes sir,” I smiled and took his small hand, hardly noticing the strange sensation of cold and warmth as he squeezed my hand.
    He began to hop up and down with excitement. Each time he came down, his feet sank about three inches into the floor. Seth was positively giddy.
    I didn’t even think about telling Don. Honestly, I didn’t really care if I told him. I was going to go regardless of what he said, and he had his own issues to handle.
    â€œWe’ll leave first thing in the morning,” I told him.