"I'm sorry we didn't find the rock Jon" Sherry said as she started the car and drove out the parking lot. Though come to think of it she couldn't quite figure out why they had even gone to the mall to look for it in the first place, only that she had wanted to check out the sale Zoe had mentioned.
"It doesn't matter, even if we find it these changes are permanent" Jon replied miserably "I'm going just have to get used to being a woman. A 42 year old woman! My youth has gone, as will my gender pretty soon! It sucks!"
"It's not that bad honey..." but she stopped, feeling guilty. She wondered how he would feel if Jon knew the rock was sitting safe and sound at home. Should she try and fix it or was Jon right? Maybe more wishing would only make the situation worse. That thing was dangerous! Maybe should just throw in the sea or something. Jon continued in his husky female voice.
"it wouldn't be as bad if it was just physical changes, but the wish could mean anything!" Jon cried, getting more stressed by the minute. "I mean will I go to school tomorrow or will I wake up with a husband and kids!" he thumped the dash with a dairy hand and caused a collection of bangles to jangle on his wrist. "What the..." on the other wrist he wore a charm bracelet just like his moms and he reached up to feel the large hoop earrings that hung from his ears and the pearl necklace that now tightly hugged his slender neck. " Great I even have your jewellery now!"
"And my make-up" sherry said apologetically. Jon flipped down the mirror in the sun visor to find he now wore a dark red lipstick, mascara and eyeliner.
"Oh gawd!" he cried "I look like you, I sound like you, I dress like you! What next?!" Jon felt more stressed and on edge than ever, it was wierd. Sighing he opened his purse to check his drivers licence again but before he could he spotted a pack of Menthol 100s and a lighter sitting amongst the tampons, loose change and make-up.
"What the hell are these doing in here?!" he asked incredulously.
Sherry winced as she saw the cigarettes in his hands. "I'm sorry honey. You know when I gave up smoking last year? Well that was just a little white lie I told to keep you kids happy. I'm mean I cut down loads, but I still have a few everyday when you and your brother and sister aren't around. More if I'm stressed. I guess now you do as well"
"What! But I hate smoking, it's a disgusting habit!" Jon cried.
"I'm sorry honey, I guess it's just something else you'll have to get use to. Why don't you try one, you'll find it calms you down" Sherry was secretly pleased about this change. She had always hated herself for not being able to quit smoking. It was a terrible example to set her kids. But it had always upset her how little understanding her kids had over the matter. Jon especially had constantly berated her over her lack of will-power, calling her selfish and weak. Now he would learn first hand how hard it was to give up.
Jon groaned, flipped open the pack and fished out a long white cigarette with his manicured finger nails. Putting it in his mouth, he lit and inhaled hard coughing at the horrible taste.
"Gawd! That tastes gross!" he exclaimed holding the cigarette in between his slender fingers.
"I know honey, but in time you'll hardly notice the taste. It just becomes part of your life. Just let it relax you" she patted his leg affectionately.
"In time! Oh my gawd" Jon replied and carried on smoking "Great! Thanks to your poor wishing, I'm going to spend my life as a twin of my own middle-aged mother and thanks to your poor will power, I'm saddled with a disgusting addiction!"
Sherry frowned in annoyance, maybe it would do Jon some good to spend time as her. Teach him a little lesson in life.
