"Yes." She purred. "Three wishes."
I sat back thoughtfully. Often I had dreamed of meeting a genie. It seems strange to say that, when all the realms of possible were before me, I preferred to scheme over the impossible. But in a lot of ways, that's human nature.
She tipped her head to one side. "What's your name, boy?"
"Abel. And I'm 21, so, not a child."
She snorted.
"I've decided." I said. "My first wish. It's a very simple one."
"Let me guess." She drawled. "Eternal youth? Unlimited money?"
"No." I said, brow furrowed. "I want everyone on this planet healed. Not made eternally young-- I know that's a bad idea. But let their brains be healed, and people with cancer, and the old people have a couple more years with their families--"
"I get it." She said harshly. Then, more softly; "I get it."
Jeanie closed her eyes. "Yes." She said. "That will do."
It was warmth that I remember most clearly. The bone-aching cold that had haunted me throughout my life burned away. My jeans felt rougher against my palms, the touch of clothing suddenly jumping into focus. I blinked, and the room became clearer. My mind stilled. For the first time in a long time, I could breathe long and slow and full. There was no catch in my lungs, no Velcro-cling.
I stared at her. She stared at me. We held the moment, like a piece of fine china balanced between us.
"Abel?" Kate said from the other room. "Abel, I just had the strangest feeling--" She was coming closer. "I feel so clear-- so stable-minded. I just, I think something has chang--"
Kate entered. The moment shattered.
"Abel? Who's this?"
YOU ARE READING
Three Wishes: This didn't go as planned!
FantasyAbel is a daydreamer. Things that will never happen, the impossible, are planned neatly in his head, while the possible is left up to chance. However, the impossible becomes possible when Able finds a magic oil-lamp in his grandparent's basement la...
