"Well..." Jon's mother, Sherry, considered.
"Mom, please, I know this is a big deal, but grandpa left it to me. He wanted me to have it."
"I don't know, this is awfully dangerous. I'll have to think about it." She said, pocketing the stone again.
"But-"
"No buts!" Sherry responded firmly. "Now does anyone else know about this stone?"
"Well, Karyn, but-"
"Then I'm sorry, but you can't see her tonight. I know she's your friend, but how do I know you don't have another of these things? Or that you won't try to get this one back from me somehow?"
"Fine." Jon said, resigned to his fate. His mother's face softened.
"Now, now, no moping. I may give it back to you after all, it's just...Jon, if this can really grant any wish, it could be incredibly dangerous. Someone could get killed. I know you're a responsible boy, but there are limits."
"It's ok mom. I understand." Jon only hoped she would give the stone back soon. But if she didn't, he could always steal it and fix this situation with a wish.
"Now, just relax and I'll have dinner ready in a bit." Sherry told him.
Dinner was largely uneventful. The conversation was somewhat stiff with the awkwardness left over by Sherry's encounter with the stone, but the only thing the least bit odd was Jon's appetite.
He ate much less of his meal than he normally did, except that he asked his mother for a second helping of salad. He rarely ate much salad, preferring junk food, so his mother usually only made barely enough for two people. Still, she chocked it up to nerves and let it slip without comment.
Sherry wasn't the only one that thought this was odd. Jon was considering it himself as he got ready for bed. But his thoughts were interrupted when he discovered his clothes were unusually loose on him.
Heading for the bathroom once again, he examined himself in the mirror and noticed no difference. Unless...
Am I shorter? Jon wondered. He examined himself a bit more, and discovering nothing unusual decided that he just was unused to the inch or so he'd lost thanks to his mother's wish.
So after brushing his teeth he simply said goodnight to his mom and went to bed.
