Jon finally made home, after a long day filled with worry. He was scared half to death of what his wish might do, and thankfully he had made it through the day without incident. Maybe his wish was just a dud.
Jon paused before he opened the front door when he noticed an odd sound coming from inside. It was music, a strange techno-ish beat, that sounded like it was straight out of the 1980s. Jon shrugged it off and opened the door.
As he entered, he could tell the music was coming from the TV in the living room. Somebody must be watching some old music video or something. Jon turned the corner from the foyer into the living room and stopped dead in his tracks.
He was sort of right about the music, but it wasn't some music video. It was an exercise video, complete with cheesy music and spandex. About a dozen girls were doing aerobics in skimpy outfits to some decidedly retro beats.
But it wasn't the video that stunned Jon. It was the sight of his father. He was following every move in the video, moving his body to the beat and looking like he was really into it. He was dressed like he belonged in the video, too, with a rather skimpy pink leotard, white tights, grey legwarmers, and pink sneakers. As he turned, Jon saw his dad's face, expertly made up with ice blue eyeshadow and pink lipgloss. He stopped when he saw Jon, and giggled. Jon cringed.
"Hiya Jon," his dad said in a bubbly falsetto.
"Whhhaaat.... happened..." Jon said, trying to suppress the panic he was feeling.
"Whaddya mean?" his dad said, seemingly oblivious. "Just, like, workin' out, y'know. I'll be done in a few minutes if you wanna watch TV." He turned back to the TV and resumed the workout, stepping up and down from a foam block on the floor.
Jon was panicking on the inside, but trying not to show it. Obviously this was his fault, his wish's fault. But how? Jon tried to think of what to do, when his dad suddenly stopped and let out a very loud sneeze. He quickly resumed what he was doing, as though nothing had happened.
That was odd, thought Jon. He knew he'd have to get the stone and find some answers. He turned to go to his room, but suddenly felt very woozy. The dizziness lasted several seconds. Eventually, Jon got his bearings...
