Jon had thought something like this was possible, but he hadn't actually seen it happen to anyone yet. Of course with so many people changing he couldn't keep track of everyone.
The profile showed him that Julie Madison had formerly been Julie Santiago. She had been a freshman girl, and a Latina, being a second generation member of a Puerto Rican family. It was surreal seeing the original version of her with curly brunette hair and coffee toned skin. the original version of her may have been a late bloomer, as there was no hint of the modest C-cups she had as his mom. She had somewhat wide hips, maybe indicating where the fat butt her current self had came from. There was little that Jon could see of the young Latina in the middle aged White woman next to him.He knew some race changes might happen to explain different girls belonging to other families though.
Julie had been growing up in a lower class home. It had just been her and her mother, a woman who worked two jobs to support them. It even told him Julie's original mother had a job as a cleaning woman, and even as a maid at the McMillan house. Julie had to put up with a lot of bullying and going without. The more Jon read, the more he thought Julie may be better off because of her swap.
He couldn't keep her as his mom though. He wanted Linda back in the role eventually. While Julie could remain his mom after the swap that afternoon she could swap out of the role as well. For all he knew he could have any number of different moms before the wish was done.
And would it be right to leave someone else in the life of a girl in a family struggling to get by? To leave her bullied and harassed for being poor and Latina? He didn't want to deprive her original mom of a daughter.
Maybe he could help after the wish was done, but there were too many variables if he changed anyone right now. He wasn't sure how more wishes could react with the family swaps. He could accidentally lock someone into a new role permanently. He could cause a family to lose their child, or something worse.
"Alright Jon, Susan, you two have a great day." Before Jon realized it they were at the school. Susan got out and made her way inside.
Jon looked at the woman who he knew hardly saw her real mom, and spent a lot of time alone. The girl she had been, that longed for what a real family could be based on her profile. He hugged her tightly.
"I love you mom." Jon said warmly.
"I love you too Jon. What brought this on?" Julie asked, taken aback at her oldest's actions. She didn't mind. In fact she was happy, but she wasn't used to this.
"Just want you to know I care." Jon told her.
"I know Jon, but you say it like you're saying goodbye. I'll see you right after school." Julie said.
Jon simply nodded and walked inside. He was running a little late, and had to hurry to his first class.
He managed to get in just before the bell rang. He had been interested in this class since he had seen Zelda the day before. He'd be starting the day in Mrs. Getherd's literature class, and he had been wondering what it would be like with Zelda in charge.
"Alright class, open your books to page 134. Biff, why don't you start with the reading." Zelda asked from a chair in front of the class.
Zelda taught in much the same way the original Mrs. Getherd had. So far into her pregnancy she stayed seated for the most part, her hand rubbing small circles on her belly as she read along with the class. She'd stop occasionally to analyze the text, and ask for interpretations from the class. The material was of a notably darker sort than Jon was used to, and Zelda tended to view the text in a different way than the original Mrs. Getherd.
"So, consumed by guilt for his own actions the man could no longer bare the burden alone. The weight of what he had done haunted him every instant until he had to admit it to someone. The Telltale Heart is an enduring story because of how easily attributable it is to the common man." Zelda began her analysis as they finished the story.
Jon couldn't help feeling like the rock, or some force had been torturing him. He imagined himself blurting out what he had done to someone before the week was through. He had no confidant to tell, and even if he did it would only lead to problems. He'd have to explain the stone for example.
"Would anyone like to... to.." Zelda was continuing, but paused and bent over in her chair. "Oh, it's time! Someone go get Sarah quickly!"
Biff and another boy ran out of the room as quickly as possible. One of the girls had gone to Zelda's side, and another had pulled out her phone t call an ambulance.
Within minutes the former Sarah Taylor was on the scene and giving instructions to Zelda. Paramedics came soon after, and Jon watched as Zelda was taken out of the building, on her way to the hospital to give birth to Mrs. Getherd's twins.
