“Have you had those lectures?”
“Yes. Jorge Moneo lectured for about an hour and a half and then took questions.” Zack paused. “What is it, mother, that you want to know?”
“Jorge talked about the ETA?”
“Of course. How can anyone discuss the Basque aspirations for freedom without mentioning the ETA?”
“Did he talk about his own role with the ETA?”
Zack stared at Denise for a long moment. “His content was for the most part historical, except…”
“Except what?”
“I’m not sure that I should…”
“Zack!”
“Jorge mentioned his family in an oblique manner, but Adam said, and I guess everyone knows, that his family was brutally murdered by the Spanish Secret Police.”
“We know.”
“How do you know?” Mother.
“Lenny told us. He has the FBI file on Jorge Moneo.” She hesitated a moment. “Somebody redacted the file.”
“Redacted?”
“You know, blacked out.”
“Why?”
“C’mon, Zack. There’s only one reason for that. Someone’s hiding information about Jorge.”
“I see your paranoia raising its ugly head again, Mother.”
“It's only paranoia if it’s untrue, that is, if there’s nothing to be concerned about.”
“You’re going to need more than that,” Zack said.
Denise hesitated. “There is more, but I sense that you’re not going to be objective on the subject.”
“I’m as objective as you are. Let’s have it.”
“The FBI believes that the Denisovan laboratory and school receives support from the ETA or related associated organizations, and,” she paused, “that Jorge, in return supports ETA causes.”
“So, Mother, you conclude that Basque independence is unworthy of support? You’re Basque. Have you no sympathy for them in their aspirations? I’m not talking strategy or actions, Mother, only aspirations.”
“You can’t separate the ETA from its actions. They created a reign of terror that cost innocent people their lives…”
“What people?”
“My parents, your grandparents, were, you’ll love the word, Zack, collateral damage. I don’t know which side killed them, and I don’t much care. I blame the pointless conflict.”
“Pointless?”
“So, Zack,” she said, “You’re becoming a scholar for justifying terrorism, aren’t you?”
“Yes, a scholar, not an advocate.”
“Isn’t one of the justifications,” Denise asked, “the likelihood of success?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “The ETA had no such justification. The only chance they had was a political settlement. Worse than that, the ETA’s tactics made a political settlement even less likely.”
“My grandparents died in the conflict?”
“Yes,” she said. “They, like most Basques wanted independence, but only through the model of Gandhi or Martin Luther King. Neither the ETA or the Spanish Secret Police gave them a chance.”
“I’m so sorry, Mother. I didn’t know.”
“That was a long time ago.”
Zack remained silent, and then looked up at his mother. “None of that changes the facts on the ground for the Basque people. While I don’t support terrorism in any form, I do support their aspirations. How can you ignore that?”
Denise smiled at Zack. “Let’s say that my attitudes toward causes have been tempered by reality. It may be sad, but I have little trust in politicians and ardent patriots of any persuasion. They all seem to make it up as they go along and subscribe to ‘the ends justify the means’ philosophy.”
“So we have no reason to support any cause?”
Denise remained silent.
“I don’t think I can live that way, Mother. The world has causes that deserve our support and some,” he hesitated, “are worth dying for.”
Chapter Forty-Five
After Saturday’s class, Professor Alonso took Zack aside. “Jorge would like a few minutes of your time.”
“What about?” Zack asked.
“I don’t know.”
“When?”
“If you have time now, he’s waiting.”
Zack checked his watch. “I have a few minutes until my dad picks me up.”
Zack walked to Jorge’s door and knocked.
“Come in.”
Jorge pointed to the seat before his desk and indicated that Zack sit.
“Is everything okay?” Zack asked.
“Relax, Zack. This will take only a few minutes.”
Zack nodded.
“While many of our students are gifted, you may be even more special.”
“I don’t know what you mean, sir. This is the one place where I seem just like the other students. It's a refreshing change for me.”
“I can appreciate that,” Jorge said. “Many of our students share that feeling.” He paused. “I was talking with Adam and he brought to my attention your gift. It may be unique in our experience.”
“What gift?”
“Adam said that your perceptions of other people are extraordinary. Bordering on ESP, he thought.”
Zack looked down. “I wish he hadn’t said anything. I just want to be like everyone else.”
“These gifts came to you, Zack. You didn’t choose them. Tell me about it.”
Zack studied his feet. “I don’t know…”
“Please, Zack. I’m trying to help.”
Zack told Jorge about his ability to sense what people were thinking, to know things he had no reason to know, and his experience with Kenny.
“Mind reading?”
“No. It's not like tuning in to see or hear what people are thinking, it's just a strong impression of their thoughts.”
“Your parents know about this?”
“Of course. Denise believes that I’m acutely aware of things, the telltale signs, and gestures that tell what’s on someone’s mind. Like the ‘cold reading’ that theatrical mind readers do, she says.”
“She’s probably right, but wouldn’t you want to know for sure?”
“Yes.”
“And if you have certain unusual abilities, wouldn’t you like them refined…strengthened?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been isolated enough as is. How would you respond to someone who could read your mind? I know how I’d feel—I wouldn’t get within a mile of him.”
“You exaggerate, but we won’t know until we test you.” Jorge paused. “Would you go for it?”
“I don’t know. My parents…”
“We’d hold everything in the strictest confidence. Nobody needs to know.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course, but please let’s keep this between ourselves.”
On the drive home, Zack remained silent, lost in his own thoughts.
“You’re awfully quiet today,” Gabe said. “What’s up?”
“Is it possible that I’m just too busy, Dad?”
“I can’t make that decision. Do you feel stressed?”
“Not really. I am busy, but I can handle it.” Zack paused. “Being gifted, I’m getting to hate that word. Imagine the obligations it imposes on me.”
“I don’t get it. What obligations?”
“Well, it's as if I were a gifted artist or musician and I didn’t draw or play.”
“Honestly, Zack, neither I nor your mother have seen that. You almost always appear to be happy and content.”
“I guess I am, but at times, I wish I were just like everyone else. Life would be simpler.”
“You may be suffering from the ‘grass is greener’ syndrome…envying the lives of others without understanding their reality.” Gabe paused. “When you reflect on your life, it's useful and healthy, but if you ever begin to feel overwhelmed or begin to obsess about it, there’s an easy fix.”
“Do me a favor, Dad.”
“What?”
“Don’t tell Mother about this.”
“Absolutely not. We have a successful marriage because of honesty. I won’t compromise that for anything.”
Zack shook his head. “She’s not going to let go of this.”
“That’s the burden of suffering under the threat of good parenting. You’ll survive.” Gabe fixed Zack in his gaze. “And, don’t sell you mother short—ever.”
Chapter Forty-Six
Zack asked Gabe to pick him up two hours later than usual. “We’re doing debate prep.”
“Will we be invited to the debate?”
“No. It's just for the school.”
“I can’t say I like that,” Gabe said. “And, I don’t know why all the secrecy?”
“I’m guessing that the Basque community, even here, has strong feelings on terrorism. I think they’re just trying to avoid trouble.”
“That’s hardly an academic attitude,” Gabe said. “Maybe they should debate apple pie and motherhood?”
“I’ll ask, but don’t plan on coming.”
After class, Zack entered Jorge’s laboratory. Zeru was setting up a computer on the table.”
“Good to see you, Zack,” she said.
“We have two series of tests for you today. The first is the Zener Test. Do you know it?”
“No,” Zack said.
Zeru sat Zack before the computer and opened the Zener program. “The screen will show you an empty box with five symbols below it. The symbols included a circle, a plus sign, wavy lines, a box, and a star. The empty box matches one of the five symbols. You just click on the one that you think fits. We’ll calculate your accuracy.”
Zack stared at the screen. “What is the usual range?”
“Random picking generally produces 20% accuracy. The better the guesses, the more perceptive you are.”
Zack stared at the empty box awaiting inspiration. “Should I feel or see something?”
“Usually not,” Zeru said. “Just guess.”
When Zack completed the first series, he’d scored 40% accuracy.
“That’s pretty good, Zack,” Zeru said. “Let’s try again.”
The second result was 25 percent.
Zack continued until he’d completed twenty more tests.
“You’re getting better,” Jorge said. “You’re up to 60% accurate. That’s way beyond chance.”
“But,” Zack said, “I’m still guessing.”
“That’s okay, Jorge said. “This isn’t TV or science fiction.” He paused and entered data into his iPhone. The odds that this is by chance is less than 1 in a million.”
Zack shook his head. “What now?”
“I’m sending you a link for the program,” Jorge said. “Work with it for a few weeks and let’s see how accurate you get.”
“Okay. Anything else?”
“Yes,” Jorge said. “I’m putting you and Zeru in separate rooms. You’ll both lie on cots. You’ll keep your eyes closed, Zack. I’ll be showing images and videos to Zeru. You’ll simply write down what, if anything, comes into your mind.”
“This is feeling like a magic act,” Zack said.
“Except,” Jorge said, “no tricks here. You’ll either get something or you won’t.”
Okay,” Zack said.
Jorge and Zeru walked Zack into a small sound-proof room with a cot. He handed Zack a pencil and pad. “Just write down whatever comes into your head.”
“What if nothing enters my mind?”
“C’mon, Zack,” Zeru said. “You always have something on your mind. Don’t try to interpret or to guess. Whatever it is, write it down.”
Jorge studied Zack. “Keep one thing in mind…”
“Yes?”
“Even if we find that you have talents beyond the ordinary, these skills, like all others, require practice and discipline.”
After they left, Zack lay back on the cot. He closed his eyes and relaxed.
As thoughts passed through his mind, he wrote them down.
Suddenly, somebody was shaking his shoulder. “Wake up, sleepy head,” Zeru said.
Zack sat up, shook his head, and said, “I’m sorry. I just fell asleep. Did I screw things up?”
Jorge smiled. “Most people lying in a quiet room with their eyes closed will fall asleep.”
Zeru took the pad. “Three pages of notes. That will give us something to study.”
“Thanks, Zack,” Jorge said. “We’ll work on these techniques for a few weeks and see how it goes.”
“Should I talk to my mother about these tests? It's right up her alley.”
“I’m not going to ask you to hide anything from your parents, Zack,” Jorge said, “but if you think that this will upset Denise, let’s hold back until we’re finished…the choice is yours.”
After Zack left, Jorge and Zeru were sitting together in his office looking over Zack’s notes and his test results. “Amazing,” Jorge said. “I can’t guess at his potential once he gets the hang of things.”
“You must feel immensely gratified,” Zeru said. “All your work finally coming to fruition.” She paused. “But, we must be careful on the way we use Zack’s talents, and Zack, too.”
“Of course,” Jorge said, smiling.
Chapter Forty-Seven
“Meeting with Jorge has become a regular thing for you, Zack,” Adam said.
“Yes, he’s running some tests on me.”
“What kind of tests?”
“Didn’t he run tests on you and the other students?”
“Yes. Tests for ESP, but they didn’t last long.”
“He has me training on the Zener test, and I’ve improved greatly. I’m up to 90 percent accuracy.”
“I only got to 40 percent, pretty good,” Adam said, “but 90 percent is fantastic. What are his plans for you?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Zack responded.
“Jorge doesn’t do much that doesn’t have a specific purpose in mind.”
Zack was silent for a moment. “Well he never said, so I’m not sure. Maybe I can go to work in a carnival guessing peoples’ weights.”
“Right,” Adam said. “Does Denise know what you two are doing?”
“No, but I don’t know what the big deal’s about.”
Adam placed his hand on Zack’s shoulder. “Just watch yourself.”
“You’re freaking me out.”
“Don’t do that,” Adam said. “If you confront something that makes you uncomfortable, call me.”
Zack was walking home from school with Ella.
“I hardly see you anymore, Zack. You’re so busy.”
“Never too busy for you, sweetheart,” he said with his best Bogart voice.
Ella smiled. “Most kids today wouldn’t get that impersonation.”
“But, we’ve seen all the Bogart movies together. They’re great.”
“How are things going at the Denisovan School?”
“The school’s terrific. I’m learning a lot, but somehow my life’s getting too complicated.”
“Complicated?”
“I need to swear you to confidentiality.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Adam’s involved with Jorge in matters he won’t talk about, and now I am, too.”
“You’re keeping things from your family?”
“Some things. You know how easily my mother gets upset.”
“If she’s upset, it's usually for good reason.”
Zack ran his fingers through his hair. “It's complicated.”
Ella smiled. “Try me.”
Zack sat on a bench and gestured for Ella to sit beside him. He told her about his parents’ discoveries about Jorge, the FBI, and Jorge’s possible relationship with the ETA. He told her about the ESP tests and his increasing abilities.”
“ESP?” she asked. “Mindreading.” She paused. “If you can read my mind, Zack, I’m out of here.”
“No, I can’t read your min
d, but I do get impressions of how people are feeling.”
“I don’t want to complicate your life,” Ella said, “and I know how close you are to Adam…”
“I’m waiting for the ‘but’…”
“You’re my friend, and I care about you. Not like Denise, of course, but like…” Ella blushed.
Zack smiled. “I understand.” He grasped her hand and held it tight. After a long moment, he said, “You don’t like Adam—I can tell.”
“That’s an exaggeration, but he does make me uncomfortable.”
“Why?”
“First promise that you won’t let this interfere with our friendship. I couldn’t stand that.”
Zack let her hand go and placed his arms across his chest. “Trust me. Nothing and nobody will interfere with that.”
“First, Adam doesn’t like Kenny. He doesn’t even attempt to hide his disdain.”
“Sometimes Kenny can…”
“Don’t get defensive, Zack. Just let me have my say. You know Kenny. He may be blind to many things, but he sure knows that Adam dislikes him…disrespects him. I’m not protecting Kenny on this issue; after all he’s got to live in this world, warts and all.” She paused. “I think that Adam is angry—very angry and it shows in his attitude toward The Hunger Games. His assault on the drug pushers was excessive; in fact, I think he enjoyed the violence—hurting people. You’re so different. I can’t see why he appeals to you.”
Zack stared at his feet. “Anything else?”
“On the outside, Adam is charming, attractive, intelligent, but on the inside, I see glibness, dishonesty, and manipulation. It's as if he were a con man, and you,” Ella hesitated, “were his patsy.”
Zack reddened with anger. “Ella!”
“You don’t see it, do you?”
Zack stood and paced. “I’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt especially as I’ve always trusted you.”
“Trusted… past tense. You no longer trust me?”
“I don’t know what to say,” Zack said. “How can two people read another person so differently? I don’t know. I don’t get it.”
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