Overabundance pages 13-24

Standing next to the sofa Melisa smiled as she looked up at her mother. Her mother was smiling to. I’m glad Mommy decided to set down and try the new sofa. “Does it feel good Mommy?”

Leaning back into her new sofa the difference between what it had been a few hours ago and what Melisa had changed it into was amazing. Things had gone their way since her birth especially in the household. Furniture wore in just the right way to not only retain its comfort but to make it even more comfortable. In many ways she felt the furniture looked better now than it did when she first bought it. It aged in just the right way to give it a perfect vintage look that seemed to add more to its value then take away. And yet the difference between the furniture she had known and what she found herself enjoying was truly astounding. The way the material cradled her body and seemed to draw away moisture and just the right amount of heat made it hard for Rachel to even imagine standing back up. “It’s amazing Melisa. How about you set down with Mommy?”

Looking to the sofa for a moment and then back to her mother Melisa took a step back getting herself a running start before jumping up onto the sofa. The young girl burst into giggles as she quickly climbed and wiggled her way into her mother’s lap bringing a slight huff from her mother. “I like setting here more!”

Rachel couldn’t help but  laugh as her daughter finished making herself comfortable in her lap. Wrapping her arms around her she gently hugged her. This is amazing. Even blessed shouldn’t be able to do this. I wonder though. Is this real? Could it be that instead of transforming our old sofa she’s got us under some kind of illusion?  No. There is no way Melisa would do a thing like that. Unless she doesn’t know she’s doing it. I guess we’ll know for certain once Jim gets back.

“Mommy. Can I make more things?”

Oh boy! Taking a moment to run her hand over the cushion next to the one she set on Rachel took in a deep breath. Well if it is an illusion she isn’t doing any harm so long as we keep it small. Even if it does somehow damage the furniture we can afford to have it replaced. “What do you have in mind?”

“Can I change the television?”

“Sure.” Rachel relaxed her grip as she felt Melisa lean forward. She leaned back whenever the air around the television seemed to ripple. Another ripple came a moment later and then the entire thing began to blur. A moment later she saw the top of the entertainment stand open up as if there was a latch and then spread outward. The entire thing began to shift lower to the ground and the television lifted into the air. It sunk into the wall and then began to expand. Well. I didn’t okay remodeling the home but I guess that’s alright to. As she watched Rachel noted the logo changing into one she didn’t recognize. “Whose logo is that baby?”

“Logo?”

“The symbol on the bottom of the television.”

Leaning forward to get a better look Melisa soon turned to look at her mother. “I don’t know. I just wanted a really nice television for you and daddy!”

“Then did you imagine the logo?”

“Nope!”

That is something to look into. “Then did you see that picture somewhere?”

“No. It’s my first time seeing a television like that one. Do you like it?”

“I sure do. So what do you want to watch first on our new television?”

“My little ponies!”

“Okay. Let’s see if this thing is linked to our netflix account.” I’ll just have to be certain not to let her make an actual poney. I also need to look into that television brand. If the television and couch both had an actual producer  I wonder if that fruit does to. Perhaps it’s some kind of new genetically engineered fruit that hasn’t been revealed yet? Okay that’s more things to look into.

*******************

Things went Melisa’s way far more often than not. This wasn’t just her parents giving her what she desired but the world itself seeming to accommodate her. This was seen throughout her room. Even the colors on the wall reflected this. When other children might be scolded for scribbling on their walls she had been encouraged. Instead of the mess that one would have gotten from another child though her colors and shapes flowed together. More than once the wallpaper of her room had been removed and sold to an interested buyer as art. This had delighted her each time as it provided money for her family and gave her the chance to draw on the walls once again. Even now she knew people were interested in buying her walls though her parents were waiting to agree to any sells.

Against the fall rested a bed whose frame was decorated by carvings of leaves and the outsides. It was old. The frame had been her father’s whenever he was a child while the mattress was new. The covers were a bit faded but in just the right way. A gift from her mother’s parents. The bed never seemed to lose the scent that reminded her of her family. Across from the bed stood an entertainment center with a large if somewhat aged television atop it and a few consoles right below it. In the corner of the opposite wall wrested her toy chest while next to it was her bookshelf which her parents had lined with a variety of children’s books and more recently at her insistence comic books. Next to that stood her dresser.

Melisa set atop a large bean bag looking up at the television. The old super nintendo she’d found in the basement with some cartridges had decided to start working again after years of setting in storage immediately after she’d found it. Jim had even been surprised to find all the right cables to hook the aging machine up to her television. While a game was playing Melisa’s interest was only half on it as her mind constantly wandered back to her parents. Not that it seemed to matter as she easily moved through the game. Each attack her character made was a critical while every attack the enemy made was the absolutely minimum the games code accounted for if she didn’t outright dodge. Glitches tended to happen in her favor as well. Unfortunately this insured anyone who played against her in a game quickly lost interest. Even in cooperative game play it was often hard for Melisa to find long term playmates. Board games were another issue as the dice always favored her. At least the machine didn’t mind losing.

I wonder what Mom and Dad are talking about. Setting atop her bed Melisa turned her attention away from the video game she was playing and towards her parents room. Jim had only been home long enough to eat dinner before her mother had said they needed private time. Melisa wanted to listen to find out what her parents were talking about without her but she knew mommy and daddy time was important to. The thought brought a sigh from the young girl but she looked back towards her game.

Daddy didn’t even get to enjoy the new television. But they’re not going to talk all evening. Maybe after seeing what I did to the television he’ll let me make him a new car! Or a truck! Oh I could get him one of those big jeeps! A delighted giggle escaped Melisa for a moment and she turned away from the television entirely while putting the game on pause and looking up at her dresser mirror. “Careful. If you want it bad you might make it without permission.” Shaking her finger at her reflection for a moment Melisa gave one last chuckle before turning back to her game. Several moments later her reflection turned to.

It was nearly half an hour later before a knocking at her bedroom door drew Melisa’s attention. Yes right at the save point. “Come on in.”

Opening the door Jim took a few steps into the room before looking to see what Melisa was playing. He grinned upon recognizing the logo. “Playing some Chrono Trigger?”

“Yep! Are you done with Daddy and Mommy talk?”

Stepping into the room Rachel moved past her husband and went to set down on her daughter’s bed. “We are.”

“Did you find out something about the television?”

“We did. We found out who that logo belongs to and we found out something else. Do you want to know how new that television is?”

“Yeah! I hope it’s really new.”

God yes it is. “It won’t be available for sell for at least three years. What you made is actually a working model of a new television that’s not even for sell yet.” It’s still in the prototype stage! They’re not even finished with its design yet.

“Neat! So you’re the only ones that have one?”

To this Jim gave a nod. “Yes and thank you.”

“So can I make you a jeep now!” Letting the controller slip from her hands Melisa took several steps closer to her parents. Her excitement was clear on her face while her gaze shifted from parent to parent seeking approval from either of them.

“Your mother and I have been talking about that. We’d like to hold off on making anything until tomorrow and get a good rest tonight. Then tomorrow we’re going to the doctor where you’ll be able to make a lot of things.”

Melisa’s smile was made to fade slightly though it didn’t turn into a frown. “Why are we going to the doctor?”

“There are some people who want to speak with you there and we want to make absolutely certain that making things like this isn’t hurting you.So tomorrow we’re going to let you make all sorts of things while the doctor monitors you.”

Biting down on her lower lip Melisa shifted her stance several times as she processed the information. Her grin returned in full force a moment later. “Then we’re going to need something to take the stuff home in! Can I make a new truck for dad at the hospital?”

Jim couldn’t help the smile on his face despite wanting to impress upon Mlisa the need for restraint. “We can’t do that. In order to drive something home we need a license plate and that has to be something we get from the government otherwise it doesn’t count.” How the hell would you even begin getting a vehicle you made yourself licensed? It’s not like it’d have any make or model. I’m sure those people who work on custom cars would have an answer but then again everything she has made does have a manufacturer except maybe the fruit. She just happens to be creating things that are really expensive or still in the prototype stage.

“Ah! Can’t I make some changes. Oh! The engine. You worked on your engine without any permission!”

For a moment Jim was made to laugh. “Okay Melisa. We’ll take my truck tomorrow and you can change some parts on my truck if it’s okay with the doctor. We want to give you an examination and make sure you’re alright. You’re using abilities no other blessed have used before and we want to make sure it’s not hurting you.”

“I’m going to make a really powerful engine for you! Oh but it’ll only use a little bit of gas and it needs to be really strong to so you won’t have to get it fixed often. You’ve changed your tires a lot to!”

How is this going to work? You can’t just drop any engine you want into a truck and have it work the same. Even the tires have to be the right type. But then there was the television. The way it was fitted into the wall and how the wiring is hooked up to it it’s like the wall was designed to house it. Watch this I’m going to end up having to fight them over my truck once she’s done.

******************************

April 8th

Tiny flakes of gold drifted within Doctor Watts’s eyes. The mark of a blessed. Yet they might as well not have even been there when compared to Melisa’s eyes. The same could have been said for the fortune that followed them both. Blessed were naturally gifted physically and mentally. Upon transitioning to a blessed a person’s biological defects would be healed. There was no diabetic, blind, deaf or crippled in any way blessed. Health and good fortune were naturally theirs. But the fortune that followed him and all other blessed didn’t even compare to Melisa’s whose seemed to bend nature itself to suit her. It was often believed the amount of gold in the eyes reflected the strength of the blessing and she seemed to prove it.

Currently Melisa found herself setting in a room empty except for a single table and the chair she was on. A variety of sensors were currently attached to her body including a band upon her head. Her parents stood to her side while Watts was just in front of her. She couldn’t help but giggle as the head band tickled her for a moment. “Can I start now?”

Moving to the side Watts looked to the table. “Sure but let’s keep it small in the beginning. What do you.” Watts found himself going silent as light appeared to bend around the table. He could feel his heart speeding up as a moment later a woman’s summer dress was on the table.

“It’s for you mommy!”

Leaning over Rachel gave her daughter a kiss. “Thank you but how about you try making something for yourself? What do you want for yourself Melisa?”

Jim, “Nothing living.”

“Ah! I was going to make a puppy.”

This isn’t possible. A blessed gains remarkable fortune along with betterments to our mind and body. We don’t gain the ability to create something from nothing! I mean. Yes our desires can influence probability and that’s still not understood but for her to. Where is the material coming from? Looking away from the table Watts ignored the small pile of clothing that had appeared upon it and focused on the smiling girl instead. How?

Rachel, “Ah! Do you want to be able to match when we go out together?”

“Yeah. Now I’m going to make some clothes for dad.”

Looking to his daughter and them Watts Jim stepped behind her and moved closer to him. “Hey Doctor. How is my little girl holding up? We’re here to make sure this isn’t putting any strain on her after all.”

Watts, “How are you so calm about this? She is breaking the laws of physics to create clothes!”

Looking away from the table Melisa turned to Watts. “Is that bad?”

“It’s impossible even for a blessed!”

“But I’m doing it. Doesn’t that mean it’s possible?  Dad didn’t you say denying the truth has led to a lot of bad decisions?”

“I have.”

“You shouldn’t deny the truth Doctor.”

Deny the truth? What are you talking about? This is impossible! I mean. Fine the way the presence of a blessed influences probably and recovery has been said to be impossible but. This is on such a higher level. Calm yourself. Looking to the readouts he was getting Watts looked to Jim a moment later. “There has been a slight elevation in her heart rate but we won’t know anything until we can really analyse the data. How about we try for something bigger now?”

Well I can see that her heart rate has sped up. It’s probably because you scolded her to begin with. I shouldn’t be too hard on him though. He hasn’t lived with Melisa. My little angel makes the remarkable common. “Okay Melisa can you think of anything bigger you want?”

“I don’t want to make anything to heavy or it’ll be hard to take it home.”

That’s a good point. Besides if it’s too big we won’t be able to get it through those doors. We really should have found a way to do this outside if we were going to try straining her. Would density work? But what if we end up putting a hole through the floor? I wonder what’s below us. Oh duh. Walking over to the wall Jim lifted the blinds so they could see outside. “Okay it might not be able to take it home with us but I want you to think of something big for outside.”

Watts, “Please hold on a moment. Melisa surely there is something larger than clothes you want that we could still keep in this room? We’re trying to move up carefully.”

“But I don’t want to make anything too heavy.”

“I’ll carry out whatever you make. So please let’s keep it to this room.”

“Okay. Oh I know what I want!”

Looking to the table Jim was made to jump backwards as a large case now set behind the table. Within the case stood several female figurines. He didn’t recognize all the dolls but he did recognize the brand. One thing that struck him immediately though was the gold eyes and brown hair all the dolls had. I guess she wanted some dolls that looked more like herself. Ones she didn’t have to color in and dye herself. “That was fast! I guess when you know what you want you can materialize it faster. That or it’s a practice thing. Melisa quick make an orange!”

“Oh my.” Rachel couldn’t help the surprise in her voice as she looked to the table. While before it had taken several seconds for Melisa to materialize her intentions the orange seemed to wink into being the moment the sentence had been finished. “Are you okay Melisa?”

“That was fast! Can I have a slice?”

“Sure.”

How are they handling this so calmly. She’s doing things no other blessed can do with such ease and they’re acting like it’s perfectly normal. We need to investigate the readings. We need to figure out how she is doing this. She needs to be examined! But I have to convince her it’s for the best. If she were to resist or just didn’t like what we were doing who knows what would happen. “Melisa. Would you be willing to stay in the hospital tonight for observation? I’m afraid.”

“Ah! I don’t want to stay here. Dad you said we’d go home after we were done here!”

Pulling the skin off the orange Jim handed half of it to his daughter who took it despite the annoyance in her voice. Well at least the building isn’t already on fire after an outburst like that. “Now why would Melisa need to spend the night here? I’m no doctor but from what I can see on those readings she’s doing just fine.”

“We need time to examine the data to be certain.”

“Doc if I’m going to leave my little girl here you’re going to have to give me a better reason than that.”

Damn it! That should have been sufficient. No. That would have been sufficient for anyone else. The blessed condition would have caused him to automatically empathise with my reasoning. But he’s also being influenced by Melisa. Given the difference in our blessing I don’t even know if I could convince him if she was suffering a heart attack. I need to get them away from her. What!

A sharp pain in his chest met Watts the moment the thought of removing Melisa from her parents entered his mind. He felt his mouth going dry and his eyes focused on hers. A shiver ran down his spine even as the young girl continued to smile. She. She can’t read minds? No blessed can! But she’s already ignoring that rule. Is she sensing my intentions and her blessing is responding. “Yes. Let’s continue with the test and see if we can at least cause some response. We’ll get back to you with the results.” Damn! If I actually tried to separate her from her family I may very well die. Forget the influence her blessing has over her parents. What kind of influence might it be having on me? Could she be dulling my thoughts to keep me from coming to a solution she doesn’t like?

*************

Jim felt more than a little awkward as he climbed into the driver’s seat of his truck. At least he believed it was his truck. Had someone showed him a picture of the vehicle from ten minutes ago and the current one he wouldn’t have believed them. About the only things that made him confident it was his was his daughter’s insistence and the fact that the vehicle itself recognized him. Gone was the keyhole for the ignition. Instead he’d placed his thumb on an ignition switch which had apparently read his fingerprint and started. That was hard to be certain of as well as he struggled to listen to the motor.

“Hey dad I’ve got a television back here! And it’s got a lot of movies to!”

“Nice kiddo. It seems like I have a built in GPS as well.”

Leaning back in her seat Melisa smiled at her parents for a moment more before looking back to the screen. She then began swiping her fingers across the screen seeing what movies the vehicle had to offer her. It’s a shame Dad can’t watch the movie with me.

“Shit!”

Immediately Milesa turned her attention away from the television and towards her father as the vehicle began to move. She didn’t have to ask what had alarmed her father as the vehicle was moving but the steering will wasn’t. “What’s happening Dad?”

“I think the truck is driving itself. Yeah the truck is driving itself.”

As her husband focused on the parking lot Rachel turned her attention towards the computer terminal between the two of them. One button stood out to her. “Look. It says right here. It’s in automatic drive. It must have happened when you pushed go home.”

“I thought it was a GPS feature.”

“Your truck drives itself! That’s neat! Now you can watch the movie with me.”

Looking to the steering wheel, Rachel and then back to his daughter Jim could feel his heart racing. The television was one thing but this is just insane. I didn’t even recognize the motor when I looked at it! I bet there isn’t a mechanic within a few hundred kilometers that could work on this thing. Should I take this thing to a lab and let them study it? Melisa could probably make me another one if I asked. How advanced is this thing? “Let’s hold off on that. I’m not quite comfortable with just trusting the vehicle not to turn us into a tree.”

“Ah!”

*********************

Rachel gave a sigh as she set atop their new bed. The result of the little rampage Melisa had gone on the moment they’d returned home. She couldn’t even recognize the majority of the furniture in their home. The only pieces that remained untouched were gifts from family members. Older pieces of furniture that had a history of their own. It wasn’t just the furniture though but rather several rooms had been heavily altered.”So what are we going to do?”

Jim stood a few meters away from Rachel more focused on their new television. This thing is more like a computer than a television. I bet there is a keyboard for this thing or maybe you could work it with a tablet. “Do about what?”

“Our daughter being able to warp reality.”

“That is a good question. Do you ever wonder if we’re really her parents?”

“What?”

“You’ve seen how Melisa can influence animals and even people. Just think of what happened when Danny came to visit. If she can influence someone like that what might have years of exposure done to us? I’ve wondered at times. When she’s sleeping. Is she really my daughter or has my memories just been tweaked to believe I am her father. Do I really feel this way or is it because I’m around her all the time? How might I change if I were to spend a year away from home?”

“Jim! That would destroy her!”

“Yeah.” Placing his hand over his chest Jim took in a deep breath. “Just thinking about it makes me feel like falling to my knees and crying. But then I ask. Is that me or Melisa ensuring that we won’t leave her?”

“Jim! Melisa loves us. She wouldn’t manipulate us like that.”

“Intentionally.”

A sigh came from Rachel. “If what you’re saying is true how are you even having those thoughts?”

“Maybe because she isn’t influencing our mind at all and I’m just being paranoid. That or it’s because her desire to ensure we don’t abandon her is counterbalanced by her love for us.”

“Okay! Enough of that. Let’s get back to the original question.”

“What was that again? Sorry I was a bit focused on the television.”

“What are we going to do about our daughter’s ability to alter reality? At this point just about the only thing that’s the same about our home is the fact we live here and the exterior. I don’t think it’ll be long before that changes to.”

“Yeah. I figure we’ll have a copper roof as soon as she learns about the advantages. That or some super alloy that we shouldn’t have been able to afford a kilogram of.”

“Are you trying to give her ideas?”

“Nooo. Of course, if she did transform the roof she’d need to strengthen the walls to. But she seems to have that covered. The way she changes not just her target but the environment in order to suit it is just amazing. I doubt my old truck’s frame could have handled that new engine and well everything else she did. I’m really not certain what we should do. We could tell her not to use her power anymore. No more warping reality. But how would we justify it? Your power is frightening Mommy and Daddy so we’d like you to stop? I’m not going to say that. More importantly do we want her to stop?”

“So?”

“I say we play it by ear. You know Melisa. She’s a sweetheart. Just no creating animals, self aware plants and no creating something with the purpose of hurting someone else.”

“And those she hurts unintentionally?”

“No matter how good something is there is always someone that loses out. Let’s just focus on making sure Melisa doesn’t hurt herself. Remember we don’t have all the test results yet.”

Nodding her head and leaning back into the bed Rachel closed her eyes. “You know. I bet whoever would have sold us our next bed wouldn’t be happy about this one.”

I’m sure they wouldn’t be if there were any local stores still open. And it’s not just furniture either. Marty’s auto shop closed down last year with no one in the neighborhood needing any real repairs and that was just due to Melisa’s presence spreading. What’s going to happen now?

*************

April 9th

“Huh?” Melisa blinked several times as the sun light flowed through her window warming her until she awoke. The young girl could hardly remember the last time the sun managed to rise before she did. It was such a strange site she wasn’t certain how to feel and became even more uncertain whenever she smelt cinnamon and apple in the air. Her covers absolutely flew off of her as she leaped out of her bed and dashed towards the kitchen. Mom and Dad are already awake?

It was strange to not be greeted by Melisa in the morning. Jim was grateful for it as it gave him and Rachel time to prepare breakfast without her insisting on helping. He was barely able to keep from laughing whenever he saw his daughter charging down the hall looking as if the world was coming apart around her. “Good morning Melisa.”

She froze. Looking to her parents the surprise was clear on her face. “You’re already awake!”

Rachel couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes! I can’t remember the last time we managed to beat you in here. And you slept so late to. Come on have a seat.”

“Let me!” Freezing for a moment Melisa was made to puff out her cheeks as she held in a grunt. The table was already made. “Mom, Dad I want to help!”

Rachel. “You did! This new pan is just amazing. Now come on and set down we need to talk.”

Melisa couldn’t help the low whine that escaped her as her frustration came out despite her not having any words to explain it. Her eyes turned down to the ground as she sulked over to the table and climbed into her usual spot.

It wasn’t only Rachel that couldn’t help but laugh. It was so rare that Jim got to see his little girl like this he couldn’t help but think it’s cute. It’s a wonder everything we’ve cooked didn’t catch on fire so she could make it. “Your mom and I have been doing some talking about your power and we want to set some ground rules for its use.”

“Okay!”

Moving to set next to her daughter Rachel was careful not to set down the serving plate knowing full well it wouldn’t be a second before Melisa had it serving them. She’s such a good girl. I wonder if this is because of the blessing as well. It’s been said the blessed are naturally inclined to altruism. But does that mean this is the real Melisa or the blessing? “First rule. No making living animals and that includes people. It also includes making animals that aren’t alive in the moment but will be a moment later. Second rule. No altering people or animals without permission except in an emergency like someone who’s been badly injured. We’d appreciate it if you could involve your dad or me when this happens as well.

Third rule. No making plants that are like animals. So no making a flower that barks at people and especially no making plants that can think for themselves.”

“Um, could I maybe change a dog’s fur?”

Setting down at his chair Jim looked at Melisa. “That’s something you’ll need to speak to your mother or me about.”

“Okay.”

Rachel, “Finally. You’re not allowed to make anything that’s meant to harm someone.”

“That’s all?”

Jim, “That’s it.”

Melisa felt her body tense up for but a moment before she couldn’t help herself. Pushing off the table to slide her chair backwards the young girl swiftly leaped to the ground. “Ya!”

What the hell! As Melisa voiced her joy Jim felt like a wave had washed over him. For a moment the air itself seemed to shiver and he frantically looked around the room half expecting it to no longer be there. “Uh. Melisa sweetheart. What was that?”

“I gave us a basement, another floor, fixed up the outside, the roof and yard to! Oh I should do something nice for Wilma to!”

Ah! Fuck me! Jim didn’t even have a chance to call out before he lost track of his daughter as she dashed out of the kitchen far more quickly than a human could hope to match. He was confident the same thought was going through Rachel’s mind as she rose to her feet and they both tried to follow after their daughter despite already hearing the front door close. “She’s been thinking on this hasn’t she?”