The Dreamer

By T M Nugent

The story The Dreamer is about a young boy who is struck by lightning and he develops a unique ability. He becomes a Detective like his Father and you follow him and his family through life.

My name is T M Nugent. I was born in Chicago Illinois in 1949. I had a normal childhood and served in the military. I work in the hospital

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Oct 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798887641072

T M Nugent

My name is T M Nugent. I was born in Chicago Illinois in 1949. I had a normal childhood and served in the military. I work in the hospitality business for fifty some years and owned my own restaurants for fifteen years. I married a wonderful woman and we were together until her death of brain cancer. We were together for forty-two years. After her death I quit working and traveled the western United States writing poetry. I rode a full dress Harley and bought an I-pad to write my poetry and stories. I met a wonderful woman, Corina and we traveled the country together. We ended our travels in San Luis, Costa Rica where we live today. I have written ten poetry books and one short story book which I published with Xlibris Self-Publishing Inc. I have written six novels to this publishing. Two are published with Amelia Publishing and four with Stratton Press. I like to write and spend every day writing something in my I-Pad. I hope you enjoy my writing.

Book preview

Chapter One

Playing Golf

My name is Joshua Malloy. I love playing golf with my police detective dad, Mike Malloy. I am twelve years old and hit the ball a mile for my age. I am on the first tee at the Calumet Country Club in Homewood, Illinois. Jim Swartz, Dad’s caddy, hands me a three wood. I set up and swing, and I get struck by lightning at the top of my swing, catapulting me twenty feet into the air, knocking me unconscious. I hear my dad frantically calling out my name as he runs toward me. In my unconscious state, I scream, Jill, look out behind you!

I can hear my dad saying, What is wrong, Joshua? Wake up, son!

My sister Jill is alone and being attacked by a stranger. I watch her turn around quickly and kick the man in the stomach, knocking the air out of his body. He is bent over, as Jill kicks him hard in the face, breaking his nose and catapulting him into the living room. The man is unconscious. Jill runs to the bookshelves in the living room and opens a drawer and pulls out a pair of handcuffs. Jill rolls the man over and handcuffs his hands behind his back. Jill calls 911 for assistance and waits for the police to arrive. I wake up in the hospital a few hours later. Jill and Dad are hovering over my hospital bed.

How did you know? I heard you say, ‘Look out, Jill,’ asked Jill.

What are you talking about? asked Dad.

I heard Joshua say look out behind you, Dad. How could that happen? Joshua helped me when I was attacked, says Jill.

I heard him call out to you at the golf course. What did you see, Joshua? asked my father.

I tell Dad verbatim what happened to Jill and I can see it in their eyes. Almost a panicked look of misbelief and I do not believe it. My hand is bandaged from the lightning bolt strike. The doctors cannot believe I am alive. X-rays show an abnormal spot on my brain that was caused by the lightning strike. The neurologist, Dr. Graham, explains, There is a discoloration of the brain tissue, but I believe it is nothing to worry about. The right side of the cerebellum is slightly discolored and will clear up in time. The right side of the brain is the interpreter of the brain function. I believe Joshua will be fine. We will watch him for another night, he is not losing any hair or having convulsions, you need not worry.

The doctor leaves as Dad smiles and rubs my head.

Son, you get some rest, and we will be back to take you home in the morning.

Dad and Jill leave my room, and I fall asleep. I awaken to a nurse giving me a sedative to help me relax. It is ten in the evening, and I quickly fall asleep. Before I know it, it is seven in the morning and I feel great. Dad and Jill arrive at eight thirty in the morning, and I am ready to go.

Which way are we going home, Dad? I asked.

Why, son?

I had another dream of a drive-by shooting at 183rd Street and Center Avenue avenues. I do not want to be there at eleven this morning. Can we go down Halstead Avenue instead, Dad?

Dad sees the trepidation in my eyes as Jill hugs me to calm me down. Dad calls his station and ask them to send a couple of cars. We arrive at Carpenter Avenue to our two-story Victorian-style home. Rusty is barking in the front yard, welcoming us home. Rusty is my dog. I found him hungry, roaming down Center Avenue, and I took him home, talking Dad into keeping the Labrador-shepherd mix. We go to the backyard as the front doorbell rings.

Hi, Mike, can I come in? asked gang task force Sergeant Samuels.

Come on in, Sam. Dad brings him outside as he continues to watch the hotdogs on the grill.

What brings you here, Sam? asked Dad.

How did you know about the drive-by shooting before it happened? asks Sergeant Samuels.

Joshua told me he did not wish to be near Center Avenue this morning. He has had terrible dreams since his lightning strike. Joshua warned his sister of a pending attack at our home and prevented Jill from being raped. I cannot explain it, but if my son says he sees it, I follow through on his claim. Joshua is two for two, what happened?

At ten-thirty a.m., a lowrider vehicle came around the corner of 183rd and Center Avenues and approached a gang-affiliated home and we intercepted it before it reached the home of Alonzo Mendoza, head of the South Center Lobos. We rammed the vehicle with our armored truck and stopped them. They had three AR-15 assault rifles. Your information stopped a drive-by murder, explains the sergeant.

Dad looks over at me and smiles as I shrug. I cannot explain the phenomenon, and I do not want to figure it out. It happens while I sleep and I follow the entire episode to the end. The sergeant wants me to see a police psychologist and Dad says no.

My son will be no one’s guinea pig! If he continues to have these dreams, we will notify the authorities.

Dad is visibly angry and ask the sergeant to leave. Dad hands me and Jill a hot dog, and we fix it the way we like. Dad made some homemade BBQ beans and sweet coleslaw to accompany our dogs. I ask for a second hot dog when Dad says, Son, I can’t explain your dreams, and I do not want to explain them. I do not want you to afraid of your dreams. I ask you to let me know when you have one so we can help people. You saved a man’s life today. That was an extraordinary event, and I believe you will have the dreams again. Do not hold back, not tell me when they appear. I love you, son, and your mom is watching us in heaven. She must be honored God gave you this gift.

My sister Jill hugs me and says thanks for the dream. Jill is five foot ten inches tall and weighs one hundred and twenty-five pounds. She is a police cadet and wants to follow in Dad and Grandpa’s path. Jill has a black belt in kung fu karate and is a formidable fighter. She felt it necessary to learn self-defense as a preparation for the police department. She plans on entering the University of Illinois after high school graduation. Grandpa is the police chief of the Homewood Police Department. Dad is a lieutenant in the SWAT Department of the Homewood Police Department. Mom was a detective in the Chicago Heights Police Department when she was gunned down in a police raid. Pop misses Mom a great deal, and he does his best to raise his kids the way Mom would want him to raise us. Grandma Malloy and Mom’s sister Mary help Dad by watching us when he is working. My relatives are great people, and I am happy they are in my life. It has been an exciting couple of days as I ready for bed. Tomorrow is Saturday, and it is Dad’s turn to work the weekend shifts. The department rotates the weekends off with the officers. In the morning, Jill will practice karate with me. I go to the same dojo, but I am lucky I have a great instructor in my straight A student and disciplined sister. Monday, I take my red belt test in kempo karate. It is one belt below the black belt. I love karate and the discipline it teaches us. Jill takes me through a tough routine. When we finish, I am soaking wet and tired. Jill looks refreshed, like it was a nothing exercise. I take a shower and Grandma is waiting with lunch.

Grandma Malloy has a great Irish accent, something she brought with her from the old country. I love to hear her tell tales of her younger life with Grandpa. She was a nightclub singer in Ireland before her and Grandpa immigrated to Illinois. Grandpa was a young officer in the Dublin Police Department. Corn beef on rye bread with fresh rye bread made early this morning. Homemade sauerkraut and hot mustard. I love this New York style sandwich. It is big enough to share with Jill before she goes to work at the police station. We eat and drink our Dr Pepper, and I hug Jill. I get a strange sensation and another vision. I do not understand, I was not asleep, yet I saw bits of the picture,

Jill, someone will be waiting outside the police station. He needs something from you, be careful, I suggest.

Grandma is saying the Lord’s Prayer at the kitchen table as if I were the devil and she is protecting us. She is talking in Gaelic, and I do not understand every word.

Do not worry, Grandma, I am not the devil, but I am seeing things before they happen and I do not know why.

I am confused, and Jill tells me not to worry. She is on alert, and she will be prepared because Dad will be outside, waiting for her to arrive.

Jill arrives in the police parking lot and leaves her car as a man approaches her.

You Jill Malloy? asked the man in a black suit, short haircut, wearing pilot sunglasses; he looks like an FBI agent.

Yes, I have been expecting you, says Jill.

Me too! What do you need from my daughter? asked my gruff father.

What? How did you two know I would be here? I told no one, not even my superiors. My name is James Conlan, I am an agent for the FBI, Strange Occurrences Division. I understand you had a vision of your attempted rapist. I need to know the details, says Agent Conlan.

Too bad! You would not understand, and frankly, I do not have the time for your science fiction, says a snappy high school student.

Give me a chance, so I can understand, says Agent Conlan.

My daughter is seventeen years old and under my protection. Any questions to her must go through me, her father. Go inside the precinct, honey. I will listen to the agent of Strange Occurrences. He giggles about the FBI Department Officer Malloy has never heard or thought existed.

Agent Conlan explains his job at the FBI, questions about the phenomenon.

Last month it was an UFO sighting which turned out to be a prank by some college students. Only problem was someone was seriously hurt with this phenomenon. It was to hide its true purpose, a murder attempt on a coed who broke up with her psycho boyfriend. What is your excuse, Detective? What or who are you protecting? asks the agent.

My dad is caught off guard as the agent shifts gears, I know someone told you I would be here, who was it?

My dad takes the agent out for lunch and promises to tell him our strange story.

I will not let my son become an experiment for you, Conlan. It was a freak accident that causes Joshua to dream about his discoveries. He touched his sister, whom he is close to, and saw a strange man waiting for her to arrive at the station. It happened to be you. I do not know how long his insight will last or if it is permanent, he is only twelve years old and I do not want his life to change, says the worried detective.

I promise I will not harm your boy or take him from you. I want to protect him and keep his abilities from my bosses because they will take him to some looney bin to perform experiments. I have seen this happen to good people, and I do not trust anyone with this information. Understand?

The detective explains to the agent that Joshua is home from school for a little while.

I believe my boy is not through with his visions and his grandma is watching over him. You do not want to piss off my grandma, she is a hot-blooded Irish lady from the old country. She will protect her grandson with her life. I smile as the agent winces at the prospect of meeting Grandma.

We arrive at my home, and Grandma is waiting at the front door.

Joshua said a shrink was coming to question him, he is in bed taking a nap. You are not to bother him, Agent Conlan! exclaims Grandma.

Joshua knows my name? Interesting, smiles the agent as Joshua screams in his sleep,

Get back, Agent Jones! Shoot him, he is to your left! Hurry! Joshua is sweating profusely as his arms are pointing away.

Agent Jones, run to the next building out to the driveway and save the little girl from him!

Joshua suddenly wakes up,

Dad, you must go to Albert Elementary School down the block and help Agent Jones or he will die and the girl will be gone. Look behind Agent Jones.

Joshua falls back on his pillow as we storm out of the house.

Agent Jones is investigating a child pornography ring out of that school. We need to hurry before it is too late.

We break through the school barrier and drive to the back outside basketball courts. We see the agent struggle with another man as a woman walks behind him with a gun. Agent Conlan does not hesitate and kills the woman with a perfect shot to her head.

Damn Conlan, that was a hell of a shot!

We run up to the fight and stop the man as I handcuff Marcus Bates, a child smuggler. On the ground is a frightened ten-year-old.

I was hoping Joshua would hear my screams, says Joanie Johnson.

What do you mean? asks Agent Conlan.

Joshua told me earlier that that man would try to take me from school. I heard him in my head speaking to me and then the sounds disappeared. Then it happened as the two men started to fight. Joshua said his father and Agent Conlan would save me and Agent Jones, smiles a pretty little girl.

Man, you two arrived in the nick of time. I did not see that woman behind me. Thanks, says Agent Jones who would wrap up a child prostitution ring working out of the school.

Marcus Bates gives up the rest of the ring members as the FBI raids the home of the fallen woman and arrests the husband who was in the middle of fondling an eight-year-old girl. The ring members will fall like domino pieces as the information comes forward. Anything to get a lighter sentence because child molesters do not fare well in prison. Agent Conlan and I go to my house to talk to Joshua who is a fountain of information.

I am really tired, Dad. These dreams keep me awake as I sleep. Do you think they will last a long time?

I hope not, son, I do not want you getting sick from lack of good sleep. You exerted a lot of energy today, I can see by the damp bed and clothes. Why don’t you go take a shower and come down for some dinner? suggests Dad.

Agent Conlan will stay for dinner because he has a lot of questions for me. I come to the dining room very refreshed as the agent says, That—

No, young man! My grandson does not need any questions from you! Let him eat in peace and ask him questions after dinner! exclaims Grandma Malloy as Captain Malloy comes into the dining room,

Agent, you better heed Mother or she will have your hide!

Everyone burst into laughter as Grandma says, Hush, old man! I do not work for you.

Grandpa rushes over and pats Grandma on the butt.

I love you, honey, smiles Grandpa as he sits at the end of the table.

We say a prayer for forgiveness and prosperity and eat Grandma’s awesome meal of hot roast beef, gravy, mash potatoes, and carrots, Grandpa’s favorite vegetable. The dinner was fabulous as always as it is topped off with chocolate cake, my favorite. Grandma must feel sorry for me. At dessert time, everyone talks about their day; Jill is first to talk about the rapist and how he went to court and pleaded no contest. He is sentenced to twenty years with no parole until fifteen years into his sentence. He must pass a psychological test before he is released into the public.

Agent Conlan asks, How does this happen, these visions, you have been spot on in our investigation?

I have no power over my visions. I know as my body begins to sweat as if it must search for the situation. I am close to my sister Jill and the vision was bright, illuminating, and was in 3D sort of speak. Today was unclear and came in pieces until I recognized Joanie Johnson, and it was bright again. I can’t explain the conversation Joanie and I had. I do not remember anything but calm for her, says Joshua.

Joshua, will you include me in your next vision? I hope to keep you and your family safe, says the agent.

I shake my head yes.

Hey, Jill! Want to shoot some hoops?

Jill says yes as we run outside to the back driveway as the agent and Dad continue to talk. Dad promises to keep Agent Conlan in the loop. If I have any visions, Dad will call the agent to help investigate my phenomenon.

Chapter Two

Grandpa Is in Danger

Life goes on. I have not had a vision in months; Agent Conlan is back to give me a psychological test. He has not missed a Sunday dinner; I can tell Grandma is fond of her new agent friend. She made carrot cake for him as I chide the sweet old lady about it.

How come you made carrot cake, Grandma? I ask laughingly.

Oh, hush up! Grandma smiles at the agent as his face turns red and the family laughs.

It is delicious, Grandma, stammers the agent which makes Grandma smile as she sits down.

Dad, where is Grandpa? He is late today, I ask.

He is running late today, son. I talked to him an hour ago, says Dad.

Grandma and Grandpa live with us at our home. They bought it forty years ago and kept adding onto the big lot. I guess Grandpa thought his only son could live with them with his wife. It is a large continental home with a huge basement that has a kitchen, living room, and a bedroom. There is an elevator chair that goes down the stairs. Grandma and Grandpa moved downstairs for privacy when Dad and Mom married. Mom loved Grandma and Grandpa and always felt like she was their daughter. Grandpa built a low sidewalk from the front yard to the basement. It looks kind of weird, another front door close to the first floor door; Grandma likes the quiet of the basement.

Grandpa finally makes it home after we are done eating. No one leaves the table because we want to hear about his day.

Agent Conlan, you are the talk of the precinct. Who is the psychologist and why is he here? The commissioner is all upset that the FBI is butting into our business, Grandpa laughs about his boss.

Did you tell him about Joshua? asks Pop.

No, he pissed me off, and I told him my family is out of bounds. I will tell you everything you need to know when something happens. The commissioner did not like my answer. ‘Too bad,’ I told my lifelong friend. He is coming for dinner next Sunday, Grandma, laughs Grandpa as he realizes what happens next.

Oh crap! I suppose he wants polish sausage and sauerkraut? Your best friend always wants polish sausage and sauerkraut!

Mathew Polanski misses his mother who passed away last year. He and Grandpa went to the same high school and grade school together and the families are close. The two men went through the police academy together and challenged each other in promotions and stayed great brothers as Grandpa would say.

Joshua came up in our conversation, and I asked him to keep the press from giving Joshua notoriety. He agreed to work with us, son.

Thanks, Dad, Joshua does not need to be recognized as a freak. He is a normal everyday kid, says a worried Dad.

Don’t worry, Dad, I do not think of myself as strange. I believe it is a phenomenon, and it makes me feel good I can help people in need.

I can see my father’s relief in his face and shoulders; this has been tough on him and the others.

Thank you for being so kind to a stranger. Can you call me Jim? I feel very comfortable with the Malloys, asks Agent Conlan.

Damn right we can, son! chimes in Grandma over-excitedly as she gives the family reason to yell, You tell him, Grandma!

It is funny how everyone makes the same comment.

We watch TV for a couple of hours as our grandparents call it a day and goes to bed. I am tired and I say good night as Jim says good night and drives home. I sleep well and I oversleep as Grandpa shakes me softly awake and I see a vision. A man is waiting outside our home waiting for Grandpa,

Grandpa, be careful with the man outside. I have bad feelings about him, who is he? I ask.

Don’t worry, boy, he is an informant on a case we are working on. I was supposed to pick him up with your father. It is a powerful case, and he is an important witness we need to hide. I do not know why he is here.

Dad walks in and I explain about my bad thoughts.

Wait for Dad, Grandpa, I exclaim as machine gun fire resonates in the front of the house as a car drives down the street, screeching around the corner, and disappears. Dad and Grandpa run to the front door and look out and sees the informant lying in the street. Blood is everywhere. Dad runs into the street, and Tommy Jones is dead and motionless. Tommy Jones has fifteen bullets in his body with two lodged in his head. I delayed Grandpa or he would be dead along with Tommy Jones.

Stay there, son, do not come out here, says Dad as Grandpa walks up to me.

Joshua, did you see the car in your vision? asks Grandpa.

No, Grandpa, this is not the vision I had. I do not understand. I saw you at a warehouse with the dead man and a sniper was on the building across the street from the warehouse, I begin to cry with the realization that my vision has yet to happen.

Do not worry, boy, you can save my life a second time, smiles Grandpa as he steps up to hug me and comfort me.

I walk into the house and sit on the couch, as Jill sits down next to me and holds my hand and says nothing. I feel her comfort and no impulses to save her as I take a deep sigh.

What was that for? asks Jill.

Relief, I know you will be safe today, sis.

Jill smiles and walks out to meet her fellow policeman and the coroner bus.

Dad, how did they know that man was here? asks Jill.

That is a good question, dear, I do not know. Grandpa, who else knew Mr. Jones was going to meet you at our house?

No one, because he is not supposed to be here. Someone must have been following him and found out he was a snitch. Goodbye, stool pigeon! I would never subject my family to danger, explains Grandpa.

Grandpa, Jill, and Dad go to work and find a surprise waiting for them. Standing on the steps is the spitting image of Tommy Jones, his twin brother Carl Jones.

My brother is in danger and I want to warn him and you, Captain. I know you have been working with him to close a large meth lab and distribution business, says Carl Jones.

I am sorry, son. Tommy is dead, he was gunned down this morning trying to get to me, says the captain.

Carl’s face turns red, no signs of tears, only anger.

I told him to leave Masters alone, but he would not listen to me. Tommy was protecting me because I work for Jonathan Masters, the meth maker and distributor. What can I do to help? asks Carl.

No sir, Masters was trying to make me take the drug and become his dealer. I am good in chemistry and helped him develop the drug. Tommy did not want me to work with Masters and tried to get me to leave. Let me go in place of my brother, asks Carl.

"We need to