The Wish

The Birthday

"Alright Emma blow out your candles." Lisa snapped at me before guzzling the last finger of red wine in her glass. It had been a fairly quiet birthday evening with a few drinks and a few, some would call them friends. I was finally turning thirty and lisa had taken it upon herself to throw me a little shindig. To be honest I was quite happy with the fact that it was just a couple people. I didn't want to be bombarded with the age old question of "Why haven't you settled down with a nice man." You know the kind, where you are stuck in a corner and your great Aunt Clara spits in your face as she talks about how beautiful you are yet she doesn't get why you can't find someone. It wasn't like I wasn't looking either, I just seem to repel the men I would be interested in. Somehow this year was going to be different. Maybe I would be different. I was going to find someone dammit.

I gently closed my heavily painted eyelids, thats what is in after all, and think hard about my wish. "I want to be irresistible to men everywhere." with that thought I exhaled through pursed lips and that was it.

One Year Later ~~~

I huddle into the cab just as it starts to rain. There is a whistle as I get settled into the cab. I look up and of course its a guy cab driver.

"Where to pretty lady." his voice is gruff and firm.

"15th and 2nd please." I reply quickly before pulling out my phone and pretending like I answered a call. His eyes are forever plastered to the rear view mirror, staring at me. Several times I shout at him to watch out but he refuses to pay attention and continues to stare at me with that stupid grin on his face. I wish I could smack it off of him but he would probably like that a little too much for my comfort.

After A treacherous ride to my office I make it exactly seven minutes after the time I'm supposed to arrive. My back cracks a bit as I slam into my office chair. Fortunately for me I have a close office so that I can hide away for a few hours and get some real work done. I believe that with my new 'Abilities' it would be rather difficult to complete my job duties with an open working space. My boss happens to be female so there happens to be no leeway there. Not that Carla is especially difficult to work with, she just merely wants to get the job done. Im hoping she will go a little easy on me today since it is indeed my 31st birthday.

Thats correct its been a full year since I made that stupid wish. The one that was supposed to correct my life but instead it ruined it. Dating has become nothing short of a nightmare. Every date I go on ends in some guy trying to cop a feel because he can't control himself.

"You are so beautiful Emma." I mimic in a whiny nasally voice as I push the button to my computer and sign in. "You make me crazy for you Emma." I mock again in deep dull tone as I pull up my email.

No surprise there, 300 unread messages. I emptied my mailbox without reading any of them. I wasnt always this bitter about getting what I wished for. In the beginning it was an excellent experience. I went out on a new date every night of the week. I had a blast on extravagant vacations I couldn't have afforded otherwise. Then they started getting needy, and grabby, and demanding, and controlling. It all traveled downhill so fast I couldn't keep my head from spinning. I had a plan though...to make it stop. I've waited all year for this opportunity and I wasn't going to squander it. Tonight I would be rid of this horrible curse and get my life back. Or at least I hoped it worked. I was clicking out of my email when I saw Carla hovering at my door. Her slender fingers knocking gently.

"Knock knock, Can I come in?" She smiled a bit before i gestured to come in and sit. "I wanted to let you know what a great job you did on the reports this week. We have finally gotten caught up." she looked to the ground before she spoke next. "Are you...are you doing alright?" I blink at her unsure of how to possibly begin. "I have noticed you seem a bit frazzled lately, always looking over your shoulder and leaving in such a rush in the morning. Is everything ok?" Her eyes rested back on me, concerned flooding her face. I nodded a bit as I felt comforted. This was the most genuine interaction I have had all year and it made me feel happy.

"A crazy ex was bothering me but it should be ok now..I think he lost interest finally." I said looking away, the comfort leaving me. She simply frowned before pushing herself out of her chair. "Well that's a relief." her shoes clacked on the tile as she made her way to my door again. "If you need anything just let me know ok?" I smiled and nodded. "Oh and Emma, can't wait for tonight!" She smiled once more and stepped out of my office. It was a great feeling knowing that someone actually cared without being involved in this stupid curse that has plagued me for a year. Tonight it would be different.

Tonight I was throwing myself a birthday party, I had invited many people, however, they had to be exclusively women. I didn't want a room full of my friends husbands ogling me, or my single male friends asking me if I was going commando in my jeans. No, I wanted a relaxing night where I could end this with women I knew. However, I didn't expect it to be pretty much like last year's party, sadly it was.

After work I made my way home to set up, several hours passing before I realized no one was here yet. I glanced at my watch realizing that the party should have started several hours ago. No one was coming. I received a few texts from guests who canceled but quite honestly the majority just didn't show without a word. Defeated I started putting the food away, when a knock came at the door. My stomach jumped as I ran to it and opened the door.

My smile faded fast as I saw who was on the other side. Not one of my friends, but a large figure. Where had I seen him before. There was bile rising to the top of my throat, my pulse started racing as he took a step towards me.

"The Cab." My mouth was dry as I quietly spoke the words.

"You know what a pain it is trying to find a decent gal in this city? Then you just happen to pop into my cab, and I just couldn't resist." He took another step closer but I was frozen. Multiple scenerios come into my mind but none of them end with me getting away. He was blocking my only exit and I didn't much feel like jumping out onto the fire escape 23 flights up. I wasn't big on heights after all, I would probably just freeze. I could feel my heart skip a beat as he lunged for me slamming my back into the wall in the entry way. His large calloused hands gripped my shoulders tight. Can't breathe, he has pushed himself up against me and im pinned. He wets his lips as he leans in kissing my shoulders with force. How did he even find me, I couldn't help thinking over and over. I was trapped and the only scenario was that hopefully he would kill me after. I closed my eyes tightly repeating in a shaky voice. "No, stop." I couldn't even put up a fight because the fear had crippled me.

A crack echoed in the room before a heavy thud landed on the floor. My eyes flew open to see Carla in a red dress and heels holding my wooden shoe rack from the entrance way. My eyes fell to the floor when the man was sprawled out, a large pool of liquid oozing from his head wound.

A few hours later the police finished getting my statement from me. They took the man away in a stretcher and left me and Carla in my apartment alone. She slid next to me on the couch with a mug in one hand and a cupcake in the other.

"I know it's not much but this should calm your nerves and we are going to try to make the best of this situation." I smiled a little bit as she put the mug down and lit the single candle on the cupcake.

"Make a wish, Emma." Her smiled was warm as she lifted her hand and gently stroked the side of my face. It was right, it was comfortable and it was real. I closed my eyes and exhaled into the candles flame, extinguishing it.