Clyde demonstrated the power of his mind to the three adults after dinner. There were no magnets or strings attached to any of the objects that moved on the living room table. He made sure to emphasize that point by using plastic pens and silverware.

It took a while for Mr. Irvine to get his head around. He had dealt with his share of strange things in his line of work, but not with something of this magnitude. The Sampson’s were flabbergasted; their only response was having their mouths hang open in awe.

“How long have you had this ... ability, Clyde?” Mr. Irvine inspected the plastic forks that were used in the final demonstration.

“A few weeks. It surprised me at first, too.”

“This isn’t considered proof that Clyde was the one that hurt Nathan, is it?” Mrs. Sampson asked.

“Like I said, Jenna, nothing has been filed at the station.” Mr. Irvine assured her. “I’m just a concerned parent like you are, at this point.”

“I don’t get why you guys are so freaked out.” Clyde sat back in his spot on the couch and folded his arms. “It’s not like I’m out to hurt anyone just because I can most things with my mind.”

“That’s not what we’re trying to say, honey.” Jenna placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t you think people will look at you differently if they find out?”

“What difference does it make?” Clyde furrowed his brows and traded glances with the adults. “No one has paid any attention to me at school until what happened with Nathan.”

“So you’re fine with people spreading rumors about you?” Mr. Irvine quirked an eyebrow.

“This is all probably going to fizzle out by next week, anyway. Why would I care?”

“What if they find out Terry knows about it?”

“He knows better than to open his big mouth.”

One of the plastic forks moved on the table, nudging a second one off the edge and sending it down to the carpet below.

“Is that why you’re not talking to him? He’s your best friend, though.” Barry interjected.

“He gets himself in a lot of trouble by running his mouth at school.” Clyde breathed out. “I don’t want to bail him out every time one of the jocks bullies him.”

“What makes you think Terry won’t start telling people out of spite” Mr. Irvine rubbed the bottom of his goatee.

“It’s not like he doesn’t know any better.” The teen got to his feet and retrieved the fallen utensil, placing it back on the table. “Why should we make things any more complicated than they already are? Like I said, I’m not planning on doing anything bad to anyone. Maybe a prank here and there, but that’s it.”

Jenna, Barry and Mr. Irvine exchanged looks; which bothered Clyde, since it was like they were speaking in a secret adult code that their kids would never be able to decipher. After a minute of silent deliberation, Mr. Irvine got up and let out a long sigh.

“Just stay out of trouble with this whole thing, alright? I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.” He went over and patted Clyde on the back, then nodded to Barry and Jenna. “I’ll tell the school that it was just a freak accident since they’ve been breathing down my neck the last two days.”

Clyde shrugged and smirked at his father. “Where’s the fun if I can’t get in a little trouble?”