The Last Genie: A Novella

Chapter 8

When they made it to Grace's front door, she stopped and said, "I just realized I don't know your name."

"It's Ron."

"Ron?"

"Yeah, what's wrong with Ron?"

"I just didn't think people fifteen-hundred years ago named their kids Ron."

Ithel hesitated. He hadn't told anyone his real name in hundreds of years, but there was just something about Grace. So, he said, "They didn't. My real name is Ithel, but please don't tell anyone my real name or that I'm a genie."

"Why?"

"It causes problems."

Grace was going to ask what kind of problems, but then she remembered Ithel's comment about being imprisoned and said, "I'm sorry, but I already told my roommate about you."

"I know. Just don't tell anyone else, and tell her not to tell anyone."

"I will." After a second, Grace said, "Ithel. That's a nice name."

Ithel said, "Thanks," and Grace pushed open her door.

When Grace and Ithel walked into Grace's apartment, Kari was more than a little surprised to see that Grace was holding a brand-new KitchenAid and that Ithel was with her.

"Kari this is Ron. Ron this is Kari," said Grace.

"Yeah, you're the genie," said Kari.

"Yes," said Ithel not loving the fact that Kari kept calling him "The Genie."

"He's going to sleep on our sofa tonight," said Grace.

Kari nonchalantly said, "Cool," but inside she was flipping out. She couldn't remember the last time Grace had brought a guy home; and yes, this guy happened to be a genie; and yes, he was sleeping on the couch, but it was a start. And, our genie friend, even in his current state, happened to be a straight hottie as she would say.

While Kari was checking Ithel out, Grace said, "I'll go get you a pillow, and blanket, and stuff," and headed towards her room.

"I'm going to give her a hand," said Kari and hurried after her.

When they got into her room, Kari said, "Ok, what happened?"

Grace sat down on her bed and said, "He really is a genie."

"Yeah, I figured that much when I saw the KitchenAid. Also, why did you wish for a KitchenAid?"

"My mom's always wanted one," said Grace as she looked down at the KitchenAid that she was still holding for some reason.

"You are way too good of a person."

"No, I'm not."

"Oh, thank goodness."

"Why are you happy that I don't think I'm a good person?"

"Because that means you actually used one of your wishes on yourself, and I'm just really hoping that you used it to cure yourself."

Grace knew Kari was going to be mad, so she said quietly, "It's not that simple."

"Oh my God! I should've known."

"I tried wishing for a cure, but apparently, you can't."

"What? He's a freakin' genie. If he can fix my car, why can't he fix you?"

Grace really didn't like lying, but she also didn't want to answer Kari's question. So, she just said nothing.

"If you aren't going to tell me, I'll just go ask the genie."

"No, don't do that."

"Ok, then tell me why can't he fix you."

"He can fix me or at least based upon how he explained his powers to me, I'm like 99% sure he could fix me."

"Then, why didn't you wish for that?"

"Because he can only fix me, and I don't want that."

"Why not!"

"Because God gave me this disease for a reason, and who am I to go against his will?"

"Well, maybe God planned for you to save this genie, so he could cure you."

Grace hadn't thought about that, and until this most recent episode, she hadn't ever thought about genies, well at least not since she was a kid. And, she couldn't recall ever reading anything about genies in the Bible or them being discussed in church, so until Kari brought it up, she hadn't even thought that maybe bringing Ithel into her life was all part of God's plan.

"If you didn't wish for him to cure you, what did you wish for?" asked Kari dejectedly.

"Nothing."

"So, you still have a wish left!"

Grace nodded.

"Then, what are you waiting for? Go wish for him to cure you!"

"You brought up a good point about maybe God planning for Ithel to come into my life, but it still seems incredibly selfish of me to save my own life when so many others need saving."

"But, you're a nurse. You save lives every day."

"Not really." Grace didn't say this to slight the nursing profession. It was just that she worked at a primary care clinic and didn't feel like she was really making a difference.

"Yes, you do. Don't do that to yourself, and just think, if you're cured, you could apply to med school."

Kari really hit a nerve with that one. Grace had always wanted to be a doctor, but because of her disease, she didn't think she could handle it. But, if she was healthy...

Grace pushed that thought away. As a child she had dreamed of being magically cured, but she had gotten over that as she had gotten older. And, she didn't know if she wanted to go back down that road, so she said, "I don't know. I need more time to think."

"Fine," said Kari knowing that she had pushed as much as she could.

"Can you go grab a blanket out of the hall closet for him to use?"

"Sure," said Kari and started towards Grace's door.

"Oh wait," said Grace causing Kari to stop and look back at her.

"You can't tell anyone else Ron is a genie."

"Ok."

"I want you to promise."

"Who am I going to tell?"

"Just promise you want to tell anyone."

"Fine, I promise I want tell anyone Ron is a genie."

"Thanks."

As Kari went to get Ithel a blanket, for just a moment Grace thought again about what it would be like to be healthy, but she quickly shook that thought off, put down the KitchenAid, and started getting Ithel some sheets from under her bed.