(Author's note: Rethinking this because getting rid of the stone permanently closes off too many possibilities.)
"You don't suppose that she has the stone?"
"What did she say?" replied Karyn.
"She said something about returning to normal and remembering things. It's a lot like if she was testing out wishes. I've got to go... this can be very important. Wait here, okay?"
"No way, Jon! I'm coming with you."
Jon left the room. Karyn followed, whether Jon wanted her to or not.
Sherry turned the reddish piece of rock over and over in her hands. It was Jon's, but it was very dangerous. Just a little while ago she had turned her son into a freak, and he didn't even notice it. And that was only after trying to fix him being a freak in different ways. She was sure she couldn't handle it. But then, if she couldn't handle it, wouldn't Jon be even worse at doing so? Then she had to keep it away from him, just to prevent a tragedy. At least for a little while. But she couldn't have it either....
"I wish that this stone will disappear and we'll all forget about it, both until..." She hesitated. She needed to fix this. She thought she'd probably make it worse now, but she had to leave the option open. "... one month from today."
Jon arrived in the kitchen. "Hey, Mom, do we have any more root beer? I just came here to get some."
She nodded. Jon got two plastic cups and took out the bottle. He poured himself and Karyn one each and took them back to his room. Of course, he had no inkling that the reason for his trip to the kitchen had suddenly changed. Jon gave Karyn one cup, sipped from the other, and put it down. "As I was saying...."
