by Tom Fowler

Created on: August 04, 2008

Wishful Thinking

Prologue

"Choose carefully what you wish for, for you will surely get it," goes an old saying. In the spring of 1989, Charles Kingham, in all of his 42 years, had never heard these words of wisdom, nor would he have thought much about them if he had.

Today, he can tell you much about foolish dreams and wishful thinking.

1.

Charles Kingham was a reasonably happy man in April of 1989. A staunch Republican since the pre-Watergate days, he was delighted that George Bush had been elected president the preceding fall, assuring a continuation of the Reagan era for four more years. As a self-employed computer programmer in high demand, he enjoyed a high degree of professional mobility and economic independence. He looked like the professional man he was, standing six feet, three inches high and carrying a lean 180 pounds. Sandy blonde hair and brown eyes complemented the browns and tans he favored in his wardrobe. His handsome face sported a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. A warm smile and engaging personality won him many friends. However, a cocaine problem and last year's divorce from Nora, his wife of 20 years, threw a cloud over what would have been the best time of his life. Still, considering what he had been through the last 12 months, he was getting along well. Tax time, April 15, came and went, and he fared better than he thought he would. He was in an upbeat mood that week. Then it started.

Charles remembers clearly when it began. It was a warm, sunny day in Houston, his home for the last dozen years. When relaxed and in a good mood he would tell friends, "The first thing I remember about it is the time I was driving down Highway 59 and having the driver side front tire blow out. I remember wishing with all my heart that it had not happened. As I struggled to keep control of the car, all of a sudden it began to roll smooth again. When I looked at the tire after pulling over, the tire was perfectly normal. I know it blew; heard the WHOOSH of the air and everything, but it was undamaged. No hint that anything was wrong with it. But I KNOW it blew. After that, I was aware that I could wish for things and they would soon happen or appear."

In reality, it took Charles several days to realize fully what happened. An incident with an empty salt shaker in his kitchen two days later, and a stopped-up drain in the bathtub two days after that, convinced him of his new power. He could make things happen by wishing for them.

He sat at his kitchen table and

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