If Jon had never existed, then Karyn wouldn't be at Sarah's house. Neither Sarah nor Karyn would know Jane personally. In fact, none of the previous episodes would ever have happened. So, we rejoin our story a few days ago across town at what would have been Jon's house ...
Jane sat back and turned the page. This new romance novel really was as good as they said. The only thing that would make it better, though, would be if ...
Suddenly, a door slammed, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was obviously her daughter Zoe. Jane put her book aside and ran her hand over her stomach. Even though she was in her second pregnancy (now in her sixth month), she could never be comfortable with such a rapid change in her body.
Zoe bounded down the stairs and into the living room, surprisingly nimbly for someone wearing such a short skirt and those crazy studded belts. Despite being Goth, Zoe was a bright girl, and as long as she kept her grades up she could wear whatever she wanted. She'll grow out of it, Jane thought to herself.
"Finished with your homework?" Jane asked.
"I sure am. What is the surprise you said you had?"
"Well, it's been almost six months since your grandfather passed away."
"He disappeared, Mom. He might not be dead."
Jane sighed at her daughter's optimism.
"That's nice to say honey, but my father's profession wasn't the safest in the world and we have to assume the worst. Regardless, some of his possessions were shipped back to us and they arrived today. Including this small box."
"Is that for me?"
"Uh, no. That one's for me."
Zoe looked disappointed.
"This is for you." Jane handed her daughter an envelope. Zoe opened it and found one thousand dollars, in cash. "Don't spend it all at once."
Zoe smiled, then ran back upstairs.
Jane sat back, feeling her stomach again, and sighed. Then she reached over at the small shipping box and picked it up. She had an idea of what it might be and part of her wondered if maybe it was best to just not open it. It's best to leave Pandora's Box closed. But, she still had to be sure of what it was.
So, she opened it.
The first item in it was a letter addressed to her:
*Dear Jane,
If you are reading this, it means I have passed on. Do not mourn my leaving; although we shall no longer be able to spend time together, be happy knowing that where I am now is just a new start and a different perspective than before and that I shall just look at it as my next great adventure.
The stone you find in this box is my legacy to you. Treat it with care, it does not look like much, but has immense power. I have entrusted it to you, as my only daughter, to be its keeper and guardian now that I am gone.
I found the stone on one of my latest expeditions to South America (as you already know) and I believe it to be of Incan origin. How it works or where it came from beyond that, I have no idea. All I can tell you is how it works and trust you to use it wisely.
Bear with me on this next bit; I know it sounds fantastic, but trust me when I tell you that I am telling the truth. All I say is real and it will not take much experimentation for you to prove it.
While holding the stone against your flesh (I recommend just holding it in your hand as the simplest approach), simply use the words 'I wish' followed by whatever it is you want the stone to do. There is no limit to the number of times you can do this, as far as I can divine, but beware for the words of a wish can be reinterpreted but not changed once the breath is over. The stone has great power, but is not unlimited. Changes made will be as if it has always been so, apart from those within earshot of the wish or out of the range of influence of the stone. This range I estimate at several miles, but I fear I have not been able to determine an exact figure.
I must go now. Use the gift I have given you wisely, and think of me often.
Your friend, always,
Dad*
Before her dad passed on, he told her about a stone he found in South America and told about the power it held. Of course, he didn't get into the specifics of it, just that it had the ability to make your wildest dreams come true. Her dad was a bit of an eccentric, so you kind of had to take everything he said with a grain of salt. But still, she had witnessed a few spectacular things while growing up. If this stone really was magic, like he said, then she felt awesomely privileged to possess it, since out of all the people in the world, her father trusted her with it the most.
Jane took the stone out of the box. It wasn't very big, just small enough to fit into the palm of her hand. It was smooth and dark gray with a bit of a reddish hue and very faint indentations in it, as if ancient writing carved in it had been long since worn away.
She grasped it in her hand, wondering if she should try it out or just put it back in the box. Something like this could be very dangerous ... if not handled properly.
