Endless by Tawdra Kandle

Marly remained to the side, taking in
everything.
    I felt the same claustrophobic sensation as
before and glanced toward to hallway. As I did, I caught the eye of
the server, still standing at the sideboard. She was gazing at me
with a mixture of intensity and empathy, and suddenly I caught a
few stray thoughts from her.
    . . .careful. . .be careful. . .

 

     
    The ride back to Perriman was very quiet.
Michael kept his arm around me, and I lay my head against his
chest, listening to the reassuring steadiness of his heartbeat. On
my other side, Marly kept one hand on my knee as she mentally
broadcast her support.
    I had eighteen years of practice in blocking
my parents’ thoughts, and it was easy to do it now. That was one
positive lesson Marica had taught me; I was more efficient at
tuning into specific minds and shutting out the ones I didn’t want
to hear. But I could tell even without delving too deeply that my
mom and dad had been pleasantly surprised by Carruthers, by Harley
Watson and even by Cathryn. The idea that there were people who
could help me to control my newer powers was very appealing to
them. They’d grown used to the mind hearing over the years, but
moving objects around, casting fire, moving the wind and
water—those abilities scared the heck out of them.
    When we pulled onto campus, my father spoke
at last. “Marly, Michael, would you mind if we dropped you off at
Michael’s dorm and had a little time with Tasmyn on our own? I’d
like to discuss this opportunity with her, just the three of
us.”
    “Daddy, no,” I protested. “I don’t have any
secrets from Michael, and he’s part of this decision. I want
Marly’s input, too.”
    Michael held me a little tighter, comforting,
but I heard him clearly thinking. If they want to talk to you on
their own, you should do it. It’ll make them feel better, and we
can talk later.
    At the same time, my mother said, “Tas, we’re
not trying to hide anything, but we’re still your parents, and we
want this time. Please. We’re not cutting out Marly or
Michael.”
    I heaved a weary sigh. “Okay. Fine.”
    Michael pulled me close when the car stopped
in front of his building. He dropped a tender kiss on my forehead
and then climbed out with a quick squeeze of my hand. Marly kissed
my cheek and whispered in my ear, “Hang in there, kiddo. I’ll see
you in a few.”
    As we drove in the direction of Rollins Hall,
I spoke up. “We can’t go up to my room. Sophie will be there
studying, and unless you want an audience. . .”
    “Where do you suggest?” my father asked. We
finally settled on the green, where there was always some empty
bench or nook.
    The early afternoon sun was very strong, and
I sought out a shady spot, leaving my parents trailing in my wake.
I dropped to ground, carefully pulling my skirt around my legs and
hugging my knees to my chest.
    My mother sat down on the bench behind me,
and after a moment of hesitation, my father joined her.
    We all sat without speaking as the minutes
ticked by. I rested my chin on the top of my knees, looking out at
all the activity on the green. Two boys were tossing a football
back and forth, and under another tree, a group was gathered with
books open. Curious, I focused on their minds. . .ah. It was some
kind of Bible study. I tuned them out as my dad began talking.
    “Tas, your mom and I were prepared to protest
against you being involved with this Carruthers in any way. The
idea of it goes against everything we’ve done to protect you. We
only agreed to come up this weekend because we didn’t want any
chance of you getting in over you head—again.”
    I winced. I had been waiting for that.
    “But then we met Cathryn and Harley and the
Landowers. . .and frankly, we were very pleasantly surprised. We
asked some very pointed questions, and they answered without
hesitating.”
    “Tas, it’s basically your dream come true,”
my mother put in. “Isn’t this what you’ve said since we moved