“Well, it looks like Mom is okay with it!” Jon exclaimed as he and Karyn returned to his room.
Karyn, still bewildered by what had happened, just nodded. “Uh-huh. Jon, are you sure that this doesn’t have anything to do with the stone?” she asked, crossing her arms. “I kind of get the whole wanting to be a girl thing, but did you see what happened with your mom?” Jon looked at her. “One moment, she was against and then the next she was talking about it as if it was the best thing since sliced bread. I don’t know Jon, but that screams wishing stone to me.”
Jon looked thoughtful for a moment, but then shrugged his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Karyn, but I can’t think of any wishes that might have caused this.”
Karyn frowned but relaxed her shoulders. “Alright, then, I guess that we’re going through with this. It’s only for a year, right?”
Jon nodded.
“Uh-huh, like I said, I don’t want to do anything permanent. It’s not like I have a sudden desire to grow breasts or anything. I just want to see what it’s like.”
“Ok.”
“I was thinking. I need a girl’s name if I’m going to be a girl for the year. What do you think about Jonchelle?”
“Um, it’s okay...I...guess?” Karyn replied hesitantly, not really sure how to react. She hadn’t even thought about Jon needing a new name.
Jon smiled. “Great! then from now on until the end of the year, I want you to call me Jonchelle. Or Chelle for short,” he added. Karyn simply nodded.
After a moment of silence between the two friends, Karyn noticed that Jon—or rather, Jonchelle—was fidgeting.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m just really excited, that’s all. I can’t believe that we’re going through with this.”
“Neither can I!” Karyn replied honestly, shaking her head.
“I can’t wait until Dad gets home. Do you think Mom will take me shopping to get some new clothes? Oh, I know! How about I just wish up for some?” He reached out for the rock.
“Hang on a minute, Jon. I know that the stone would make it normal for you to suddenly have girls’ clothes, but don’t you think that your mom will find it weird that you already have them? Especially since you just told her that you wanted to start living as a girl.”
Jon paused for a moment as he thought about what she had just said and then slowly nodded.
“You’re right, Karyn. I still want to wish for something though.”
Karyn sat on the bed next to him. She was still having a hard time believing that not only Jon but his own mother wanted to give this crazy idea a try.
“Your mom said that she wanted to give a try, remember? And what about your dad? If he suddenly decides that he wants to join in, you’re all going to have to go shopping to buy new clothes. Do you really think that you’re going to find a dress in his size?” she asked, hoping to dissuade Jon from carrying on with this.
Jon turned to Karyn and beamed at her. “That’s a great idea, Karyn!” He pulled her in for a hug and then reached for the stone.
“I wish that anyone who wanted to try this new resolution would be able to find clothes in the right size for their new gender.”
Karyn groaned inwardly as the stone began to grant his wish.
