Author’s Note: This story was inspired by a Physical Therapist that treated me in the spring of 2023. She always seemed to know exactly what was wrong with me, as if she had some kind of magic power.
Chelsea was nine years old. She was a little late “coming of age” and her mother thought she may never.
That would be a good thing.
Because “coming of age” meant something very specific for this family.
Her mother had begun to assume that Chelsea was actually normal and that gave her a great relief. Having the “Power” was a lifelong burden at the end of the day.
Chelsea and her mom had just finished dinner and Chelsea got up and began to head upstairs to her bedroom and much too much homework.
Chelsea’s mom said: “Wait one minute young lady! Come give your mom a goodnight hug. I am sure I won’t see you until the morning.”
Chelsea ran over and hugged her mom tight. She lingered for a moment and said. “Mom, your right lung is a little darker than your left.”
The hug continued.
Chelsea’s mom: “What do you mean honey, don’t kid around.”
The hug continued.
Chelsea: “No mom, I can see and feel it. Your right lung is darker than your left. Mom, what is happening?”
Chelsea's whole body started trembling.
The younger a child was when they learned they had the “Power” the better. Chelsea’s mom had never heard of the “Power” appearing in any child over seven.
Chelsea’s mom sat her down in the living room.
Chelsea’ mom: “You can never talk about this with anyone else, ever. If the world found out, you would be treated like a freak and used in government labs for the rest of your life.
I don’t have the “Power” but my mother did. She told me this day might come, and here it is. But you are so old for it to happen now. I thought you had been blessed without having it.
The “Power” allows you to feel things about another person when you touch them. Sometimes, like today, you described a physical difference with my lungs.
I have been battling a lung infection for a few weeks now. You were able to see and feel that.”
Chelsea said: “Mom, this is nuts, what are you talking about?”
Mom: “Hug me again.”
Chelsea does and she pushes her mom away so hard that she falls to the ground.
Chelsea: “Mom, what is happening to me?”
Mom: “Nothing honey. You have what our family has called the “Power” for centuries. From here on out, when you touch someone, be prepared to feel something. It can be a visual, or an emotional or physical feeling.
Don’t be afraid of it, but don’t ever tell anyone about it but me. Don’t journal about this or write about it at all. Don't tell your best friend or the man you will eventually marry.
If the government finds out, they will take you and use your gifts as a weapon and me, your father and your brother will never see you again.
Go upstairs and do your homework. You will get used to it like grandma and those before her did. Martha Cory was one of the famous witches hung during the Salem Witch Trial hysteria.
We are lineal descendents of Martha. It is easy to see how the citizens back then thought her “Power” was sorcery.
So, it is best to keep it between us.”
Many years passed and Chelsea did get used to it. Her “Power” had her sense everything from the innocuous, a worry about a dental appointment, to learning about a murder that was going to transpire.
When she called her mom about sensing a planned murder, her mom told her that she had to remain quiet. No one could know she knew anything about it. Luckily, the murderer in question did not go through with it.
Many years later we find ourselves at Chelsea’s medical practice.
She always makes sure to touch each patient as each examination begins…….
