“Wow,” I said. Mr. Goshen’s street was filled with kids in all sorts of costumes. I saw princesses, ghosts, pumpkins, and even forks.
“Lots of kids come to this neighborhood because the houses give out king-size candy bars,” Maya said.
“King-size? Does that mean they are the size of a bed?”
“Hanging out with you is never boring,” she said laughing. “No, they are bigger than the normal size, but not that big!”
“Oh.”
We walked to Mr. Goshen’s house. The porch light was on, and a few kids were at the door. Mr. Goshen handed out a few small pieces of candy.
“Those are not king-size,” I said.
“Of course, he wouldn’t give out good candy,” Amy said. She looked down the street. “Most of the kids are past his house. This is probably a good time.”
“Let’s do it.” We picked up our pace, crossed the street, and hurried up the driveway. Before we rang the doorbell, I asked one more time. “Are you ready?”
Maya and Amy nodded. I rang the doorbell. Mr. Goshen answered with a bowl of candy with Tootsie Rolls and Dum Dums, the bottom barrel of Halloween candy.
“Mr. Goshen, we know your secret,” I said.
“What secret?”
“That you are Tommy Thunder,”
“Seriously?” he said.
“Yes,” I said. Amy and Maya nodded.
“That’s ridiculous,” Mr. Goshen said. Maya shoved her phone in his face and scrolled through the pictures of his wrestling gear. I concentrated in on his mind. He was surprised but not worried. He didn’t care about us knowing he was Tommy Thunder, and I didn’t know what to do next.
“How come Caden is the only one getting an A in your class?” Maya asked.
“He earned it.”
“Yeah, right. He’s blackmailing you,” Amy said.
Mr. Goshen laughed.
“He is working hard. I suggest you three do the same. Now leave my house.” Maya pushed me forward into the doorway. She wanted me to use my ability.
“C’mon, do it,” she whispered.
“How is Caden getting an A?” I asked.
“I already told you that he is working hard,” Mr. Goshen said. He began to shut the door, so I held the door open with my hand to see if my question worked. I focused on him and saw an image of Caden with Mr. Goshen. They were in Mr. Goshen’s classroom. Caden was asking him about The Giver assignment, and Mr. Goshen was giving him some pointers of how to do the assignment. Then another memory appeared in my mind. He was Caden’s football coach a few years ago. After the game, a man yelled and shoved Caden. I felt Mr. Goshen’s disgust at that man as he consoled Caden. I shouldn’t have seen that. I started to leave his mind when a sad memory entered his head. I felt his pain, but I didn’t want to know why.
This isn’t right. I need to get out of his head.
“Get out of who’s head?” Mr. Goshen said.
Lickity split! I talked to him telepathically by accident. This isn’t good.
“What isn’t good?” Mr. Goshen asked, confused.
“What are you talking about, Mr. Goshen?” Amy asked.
“We need to go,” I said to Amy and Maya. “Before he realizes what just happened.”
I shut the door on Mr. Goshen and hurried down the driveway. Amy and Maya trailed behind me. When we reached the sidewalk, I stopped to catch my breath for a second.
“What happened?” Maya asked. We took a few more steps down the sidewalk, away from Mr. Goshen’s house.
“Yeah, I’m totally confused,” Amy added.
“Caden isn’t blackmailing Mr. Goshen, and then I saw something that I shouldn’t,” I said. “I couldn’t do it anymore.” A wave of fatigue was coming over me. I stopped and sat on the ground.
“Do what?” Amy asked.
“I need a break,” I said. “I’m tired.”
“Charlie?” Maya said, again, and again. But her voice was fading, and I couldn’t keep my eyes open any more.