Catherine-Jane woke bright and early the next morning, happy to be a girl (on the way to womanhood, she thought with a smile), happy that it was Friday, happy that she had school today (she'd realized she loved school -- her friends were there, and she loved learning), happy that her Mom was so clearly smitten, and just happy to be alive. She quickly went to the potty and got dressed. As she began to bounce down the stairs, she heard her Mom softly singing to herself, that song from that movie the two of them liked to watch, Pretty Woman.
She smiled even bigger. Mom really was floating. She ran up to her mother, stood on tip-toes (but not for much longer!), kissed her on the cheek, and said, "You have a great singing voice, Mom."
It was true, but Linda had never believed it. She grinned -- grinned! -- at her daughter, and said, "You're too sweet, dear. But for that kind of compliment, you deserve a reward. Pancakes!"
Jon had liked pancakes (and bacon and sausage and eggs and a steak and...). CJ loved pancakes. This may be the best Friday ever, she thought before sitting down to tuck into the short stack with just a hint of maple syrup her Mom put in front of her. It was an open question, as she skipped (skipped! she hadn't done that since she was a kid) off to the bus stop and Linda practically leaped into her car, which one was feeling better.
Even if Catherine-Jane acted the way her mother would like, she was still a ten year-old girl (with no hint of the boy she'd once been, other than memories that seemed less important every day). As much as she enjoyed school, she couldn't help but count the ticks on the clock. She had Scouts this weekend -- a camping trip! Well, a camping trip to a cabin, but still, a chance to hike, and enjoy the outdoors, and roast marshmallows and hot dogs, and giggle with her friends as they stayed up late while their troop leader pretended not to notice.
When CJ FINALLY made it home at the end of the day, she noticed the wishing stone sitting on the counter where her mom had accidentally left it. She looked at it, thought about it for a moment, picked it up, and said...
