Nicole's cell phone began to ring. She looked at and it was showing Sarah's number. "Hello?" she said into it.
"Hi, it's me," said Sarah. "Are you ready?"
"For going out shopping and getting something to eat today? Yeah, I'm ready. But, er, Sarah. Did you decide about, well...?"
"I wish we were in Paris now, in the way I mean."
"Yes, but..." And right then, Nicole, and two versions of Sarah McMillan, suddenly found themselves walking the streets of Paris. The Eiffel Tower was there ahead of them in the distance, just like a scene from a movie.
"Wow," said Nicole. "The sun's already setting, and it wasn't even noon when we left. I hope we don't get jet lag."
"I hope they'll serve us lunch at dinner time," replied Sarah.
"I hope I can learn to speak French," retorted Nicole.
"Come on, Nicole," said the younger Sarah L. "We arranged for everything. That's like hoping you had a purse full of Euros."
"Now, about your worries," said Sarah. "Forget it..." Nicole began to frown and she said "No, not like that."
"Does that mean I get to have wishes too then? We're friends! Best friends still, right?"
"We'd never shut you out," said Sarah L. "But it's like suddenly being rich."
Sarah continued to explain. "If we just turn rich, we couldn't give everyone a million dollars. Not even friends! But it's easier to give out wishes than money, and we want to do something for you. So here's the deal. We'll give you a couple of free wishes. Let's say ten. You can also have as many as you want for emergencies."
"Emergencies?"
"If you honestly think it's an emergency you get it. We're not going to make you watch someone die because you used your wish up the day before."
"What's to keep me from wishing for a zillion wishes? Or giving myself magic powers that are as good as free wishes?"
Sarah and Sarah L. both giggled. "Us, that's what's keeping you from doing it. We're not genies, this wish stuff only does what we want."
"Well... thanks, I guess."
"Come on," said Sarah L. "Ten wishes is a lot. We didn't give Mom and Dad any, and I bet the Jons never gave their friends or their parents any. If you need more, just ask."
"Okaaaaay," said Nicole. "I want one more, then."
"What is it?"
"I want a wish that I can wear anything I buy without people wondering how I got a five hundred dollar blouse."
"What? That wish's on the house. Anyway, I'm getting hungry. You said last time you were in a French restaurant you started with asparagus soup? I'm sure there's some place around here that serves it...."
