did as he suggested, taking a long breath in and out through my nose, and focusing on the abilities I felt in the room. Cormac’s was easy to recognize due to our experiment yesterday, and since I’d already joined with his energy once I turned my attention to Mr Anderson. Using my own ability I reached out to his specific touch against my mind, melding our abilities, just as I’d done with Cormac.
“Ho!” Mr Anderson said. “You did something there, didn’t you?”
“I’ve connected my ability with yours,” I admitted.
“What do you feel?” Cormac asked him.
“I don’t know.” He paused, looking slightly enamored. “It’s warm, comforting. If I didn’t know what it was, I might think it was only a change in my mood.”
“May I?” Cormac asked me, extending his hand. I took it in mine, allowing him to read us.
“Did I do it right?” I asked.
“Oh yes,” Cormac replied, “and quicker too this time. Was it difficult?”
“No, not at all,” I laughed, thrilled at how easy and natural it was, “but will people always know when I am connected to them?”
“Perhaps at first, but with practice you will learn subtlety.”
“Well, come on then, let’s give it a go!” Mr Anderson said, seeming as excited as I was.
“OK, how?” I asked, looking expectantly at Mr Anderson. When his only answer was to look back at me in confusion, I began to worry. Was I supposed to be able to figure this out on my own? I could feel our connection, feel his ability flowing through me, but as for actually harnessing or using it, I was clueless. “What do I have to do?” I asked again, hoping he hadn’t understood that I was looking for direction.
“I don’t know,” Mr Anderson said.
“What do you mean, you don’t know?” I asked. “It’s what you do.”
“I can’t explain it, I just… do it.”
Well, that wasn’t very helpful. I tried simply thinking the statement, “It’s Monday”. When that didn’t work, I thought it louder, concentrating on Cormac’s forehead. No good. For the next ten minutes the three of us stood in silence as I mentally shouted, screamed, whispered, and strained my way to a headache, trying everything I could think of to impart “It’s Monday!” to either of the two men before me, all to no avail.
Undoubtedly seeing the tension in my face, Cormac placed a hand on my arm. “Relax Becca, there is no rush. We don’t need you popping any blood vessels,” he smiled, trying to get me to loosen up.
“I don’t know what to do,” I grumbled, irritated.
“You are trying too hard, you can’t force it. Loosen up and allow it to come on its own.”
I sighed – or huffed might be a better word– and closed my eyes, letting the knots in my shoulders unwind. Focusing only on what I could feel, not what I wanted to feel, I examined the two entwined abilities for some clue that I was missing. I gathered up some of the flowing energy, concentrating it in front of my mind, then gently thought through it, aiming directly at Cormac.
It’s Monday.
“Haha!” he yelled, grabbing my arms and giving me a triumphant shake. “That’s my girl!”
“She’s done it?” Mr Anderson asked?
“Yes! ‘It’s Monday’, clear as a bell!” he gushed. “Go on, try again.”
“Aye, me this time,” Mr Anderson said, not about to be left out.
I gathered up the ability in front of my waiting thought, and spoke through it, this time toward Mr Anderson.
I think I’ve got it.
“Holy Mother o’ Christ!” he exclaimed, jumping back with a laugh. “Got it indeed!”
The remainder of the hour was spent practicing and learning control. I’d impart to Cormac, then Mr Anderson, then both of them at once. Then they began walking around the room and I would have to impart different thoughts to each of them as they moved, honing my precision, and trying not to cross the thoughts. At one point, I imparted to Cormac I’m getting itchy, while simultaneously imparting My brain feels hungry to Mr Anderson, but otherwise once I cracked the code, it went really well.
“I see we’ve made progress,” Min said, calling our attention to the door as she entered. I’d been so focused on my imparting I hadn’t even sensed her arrival.
“She’s a regular Imparter if ever I’ve seen one!” Mr Anderson said, clapping me on the back.
“Indeed, she has done marvelously well,” Cormac added.
“Good,” Min said, nodding. “And Becca, do you feel all right?”