The Last Genie: A Novella

Chapter 36

Back at the hospital, Grace woke up and knew she was healed. She wasn't sure how she knew, but she just did. She looked over at her mother and asked, "Where's Ron?"

"He went to get something to eat."

Grace looked out the window and wondered where Ithel had actually gone and wished that he would come back. Then, she turned back to her mother and asked, "Can you get the doctor?"

"Why?"

"I'm ready to go home."

"What? No, you can't just give up."

"I'm not giving up," said Grace with a smile as she reached out and took her mother's hand. "I'm cured."

"What are you talking about?"

Grace just smiled and said, "Momma, please go get the doctor?"

At first, her doctors didn't believe her, but after running a battery of tests, which proved that her heart was in perfect condition, they had to agree she was healed.

They wanted to run more tests to try and figure out what caused her miraculous recovery, but Grace told them no and against their and her mother's wishes, she checked herself out and called a car.

Grace hoped Ithel would be waiting for her at their apartment, but he wasn't. There was just a note on the refrigerator with "Sorry" written on it.

She sat down at her kitchen table and had absolutely no idea what to do. Eventually, she got up and walked out of her apartment.

She knocked on Kari's apartment door and hoped she was home.

After a moment, Kari opened the door, but because of how much she had changed, Grace didn't recognize her and asked, "Is Kari here?"

Kari smiled and said, "Grace it's me."

At first, Grace was confused, but then she took a harder look at Kari's face and realized that it was her and knew what she must have done.

When Kari saw the recognition on Grace's face, she said, "I look good, right?"

Grace was still a little stunned but said, "You do."

"And I take it you're feeling better."

"I am."

"Are you cured?"

"The doctors think I am."

Kari let out of squeal of joy and wrapped Grace in a big hug as she said, "I'm so happy."

After a moment, Grace pulled free of Kari's embrace and said, "I need to apologize. I should've returned your calls and texts. I should've let you tell me your side of the story."

"You don't need to apologize. It was a stupid plan, but you know the only reason I was trying to get the wishes was so that I could cure you."

"I know," and in her heart, she really did believe that. "And you did."

Kari smiled and said, "Do you want to come inside and tell me everything that has been going on between you and Ron?"

"I'd like to, but I can't. I actually need to borrow your car."

"What do you need my car for?"

"To find Ron."

"Where'd he go?"

"I don't know. That's why I need to find him."

"So, what? You're just going to drive around and call his name or something?"

"No. He told me he was on his way to Napa, when our accident happened, so I'm going to Napa."

"You're driving to Napa?"