Jon stared into the mirror and thought things through. She didn't have the rock on her but her wish was granted none the less.
Out of exasperation, Jon said, "I wish I had some more control around here!"
"Sarah?" a woman's voice called from downstairs. "Sarah, was that Kevin just leaving? What was he doing here?"
Jon wanted to ignore her. If she was in control, she could ignore her.
"Sarah?" The voice was closer, and Jon could hear footsteps coming up the stairs.
Jon tried to shut it out, tried to focus on what she had just been through and what it might mean, but only a few seconds later there came a courtesy knock on Sarah's door, followed by that very door swinging open to reveal Sarah's mom, Susan McMillan.
"Sarah! There you are. Did you hear me?" Susan admonished Jon. "When I call 'Sarah,' I expect you to answer, young lady."
"Yes, Mom." Jon's heart stopped. She hadn't meant to say that. Her mouth had formed the words on its own. And, she realized, she was also now standing straighter and facing directly towards Sarah's mom, looking the woman in the eye. What was going on?
Susan let out a "hmph," closed her eyes for just a moment, then opened them again. "I was just stopping home to pick up my workout clothes on the way to the gym. You should join me, I was thinking we can wear matching outfits."
Jon had no way of knowing this, but Sarah hated wearing matching outfits with her mom, and would have normally found an excuse not to go. Nevertheless, and entirely without meaning to, Jon replied, "Oh sure! Pink Lululemon yoga pants and black tops?"
Susan smiled. Sarah was never this agreeable, but she wasn't going to question it. "Sounds like a plan. Meet me downstairs." And with that, Susan left, closing the door behind her.
For a moment, Jon felt the air escaping from her lungs, felt her spine relax back into what she considered a normal posture. With Susan's departure, Jon felt the return of autonomy that she'd taken for granted her entire life.
But then the moment passed and her legs began moving on their own, towards Sarah's closet, where Jon found herself picking up a gym bag and filling it with pink yoga pants and a black top.
