The various family members thought for a bit, but nobody made any suggestions. "All right," Kirsten said. "Emily, I know the stone belongs to you, but given how easily things seem to get out of hand with it, I'd like to have it put away for a while, with your permission."
Emily nodded. "Just make sure you think the wish through thoroughly."
"I already have," her dad-turned-mom replied. "I wish that this stone would disappear from the physical world until Emily is able to use it responsibly, without unintended side-effects, or until one of the people present has a significant need for it."
Just like that, the stone vanished. Emily sighed, thinking about what lay ahead of her, but thankful that, for now, she didn't have to worry about more mishaps with the stone. Tina smiled. "Well, it's good to have that over with," she said. "K-irsten, have you guys had coffee yet?"
Kirsten shook her head. "No. Want some?"
Tina smiled at her husband-turned-wife. "Absolutely. How about you kids?"
Emily and Karyn had half a cup each; Emily would've had more, but her mom and dad (moms?) were trying to get her used to not being able to handle as much caffeine. They sat and talked, listening to Kirsten and Tina playing cards, as they usually did. Emily thought it was a little odd for them to be playing games like everything was the same, but she supposed this was their way of taking comfort in what hadn't changed.
Zach, meanwhile had gone back up to his room. More music, more IRC, and a couple chapters in the novel he was reading helped keep his mind off things. Rachel, on the other hand, couldn't tear her thoughts away from her predicament, staring at her shapely, snakey body in the mirror and wondering whether she should be finding herself attractive, which she wasn't. She wanted to know what, if anything, had changed in her head, but she was afraid to find out.
"Will you be staying for supper, Karyn?" Kirsten asked. The little girl shook her head. "Nah, I probably ought to get back home here. Thanks for the coffee, and thank you so much for letting me share Jon's fate without trying to talk me out of it."
Tina smiled. "We're just glad she'll have a friend to help her through this," she said. "Take care, now."
Emily went with Karyn to the door, and they hugged each other tight before Karyn turned to go. Emily smiled. If nothing else, at least she kept her best friend through this.
