This story is by Kelly K. Plaza and was part of our 2023 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.
To my beautiful boy,
May all your wishes come true. Go to Arzu Pond and toss the coin into the water and make your first wish.
Love Mom
I set the letter down and open the small drawstring bag to find an old bronze coin. It’s a little over an inch in diameter with strange symbols on both sides of the coin.
This moment reminds me of the stories mom used to tell me as a kid. She loved telling me stories of all sorts of wonders. One being The Wishing Pond. It was a favorite of hers. We’d ask each other what we would wish for. My wishes were always something ridiculous like having a tree grow fresh hot pepperoni pizza every day. Her wishes were always the same. It was for me to be happy.
With the coin in hand, I get out of my truck and walk to the edge of the pond. I’ve been away for a few years but this place hasn’t changed a bit. It’s as magical as I remembered. I stare at the coin in my hand and ponder. What would I even wish for now? Is there anything worth wishing for? I had a great childhood. I’m happy with the life I have. I have a great career. I have everything I need. Don’t I? I fiddle with the coin in my hand. I’m not a kid anymore.
“I miss you mom but I don’t believe in make-believe anymore,” I say under my breath. I flip the coin in the palm of my hand then hurl it into the water. As soon as it touches the water my cell chimes. I lost track of time and forgot I was suppose to meet up with Gwyn to catch up on old times. I rub my eyes with my thumb and middle finger. I’m not up for company anymore. Taking in a breath I whisper out, “I wish I don’t have to go to this dinner.” I answer to Gwyn telling me she can’t make it tonight. I tell her it’s fine but she quickly hangs up before I can finish the rest of my sentence. I stand there staring at my phone.
“Did I…no. It’s just a coincidence,” I convince myself. “Yeah. A coincidence.”
***
I plop myself on the couch when I get home and turn on the news. To say I’m in shock at the sight of my screen is an understatement. There’s no way this is happening. It’s Gwyn. In handcuffs. Being placed in the back of a police car. The caption on the bottom of the screen reads ‘WOMAN SHOOTS LOVER’.
“This…is…insane,” I say in disbelief.
“It seems I helped you dodge a bullet. Literally,” a voice chuffed behind me.
“Tell me about…Whoa! Who are you!? How’d you get in here!?” I jump off the couch to see a well dressed man leaning against the wall. Tall with bright eyes and tan olive skin. He’s wearing an all black suit with ornate gold embroidery on his jacket.
“Why are you so surprised? You summoned me,” he says pushing himself off the wall. “Perfect timing too. That could have been you,” he points to the screen.
Keeping a good distance between us I question him again, “Who are you and how did you get in my house?”
“Forgive me. The name’s Gene. To answer your second question, where you are there I shall be until your wishes are complete,” he replies.
“Nothing you’re saying makes sense,” I say still frozen from the shock.
“You summoned me at the pond remember?” he responds in annoyance as he mimes a throw.
I close my eyes in disbelief trying to comprehend the possibility of what he’s saying. “No…that…,” I stutter.
“Yes,” he cuts me off. “You gave me your coin in exchange for three wishes. Cheer up won’t you. People usually do when they see me,” he says.
“Why would I be happy to see a stranger in my house?” I press.
He walks to the arm chair and makes himself comfortable. “‘I wish I don’t have to go to this dinner,’” he says directing his hand to the screen. “You’re welcome.”
“You got her to shoot someone so I could get out of having dinner?” I yell at him. “You could’ve had her reschedule.”
“You could have rephrased your words differently,” he says nonchalantly. He gets up from his seat and walks to the bookshelf and mumbles, “You humans are no fun.”
Humans? What does he mean by that? “How were you able to make her do that?” I ask.
“Surely you’ve heard of a genie?” he grins. “I have the power to do many things. As long as you wish it.” he says turning his attention to the screen at the mention of Gwyn’s name.
“Gwyn? Lovely name Gwyn. Gwyn,” he sings.
“I once knew a Gwyn. Gwyndolyn. Oh what beauty. The fairest siren my eyes ever had the pleasure of laying upon. A voice so mellifluous it entranced an entire fleet into their demise,” he says closing his eyes and widening his smile, swaying side to side to the song he’s reminiscing of in his head.
“Sirens? You’re telling me mermaids are real?” I ask.
“Why? Do you wish to meet one? Just say the words and I’ll take you there,” he answers with excitement snapping out of his trance.
“Hmm, let’s see. Who would I like to catch up with? Antoinette? Milady? No, quite sure she hasn’t forgiven me yet. Ooh!” he says with a snap of his fingers. “Lyra. Now that one will break your heart in all the best ways,” he finishes as he bites his bottom lip.
“Yeah right,” I huff, “I bet your going to tell me fairies are real too.”
Gene grimaces and I could swear I hear him grumble under his breath, “Vile pesky things.”
“Fine,” I say, “If you’re a genie I’ll make another wish.” Gene readies himself at attention at the words. I’ll make it simple to test if he’s telling the truth. “I wish…for a medium rare rib eye steak with a side of garlic mash potatoes topped with gravy,” I tell him.
Gene’s shoulders relaxes and his smile quickly turns into a frown . “Well that’s disappointing,” he says with a wave of his hand.
Sitting on the coffee table is a dinner plate of exactly what I wished for.
“Your wishes are just as boring as your mother’s,” Gene says as he scans the bookshelf.
I immediately lose interest in the food at the mention of mom. “You met my mom?” I ask.
Nodding, he pulls out a book from the shelf and began to flip through it.
“When?” I continue.
“Oh, quite some time ago. You were still a boy then,” he says. “She did take her time with her final wish. Which meant me staying out here for much longer than I expected. I made use of my time though.”
My curiosity growing stronger I ask, “What did she wish for?”
Without lifting his head from the book he says, “Oh, you know. To have a nice house, for my son to be happy. Blah blah blah.”
“That’s two wishes. What’s the blah blah blah? What was her last wish?” I ask eagerly. I begin to feel my anger rising up when he avoids the question. “Tell me!” I demand.
He finally looks at me. “For you to have reason to come visit her,” he sighs returning his attention back to the bookshelf.
Confused at the answer, I ask him, “When did she make that wish?”
“The day she died,” he says. He does a double take at my silence and raises his brows at me. “What?” he says, “Is a death of a loved one not a good reason to visit?”
Rage begins to boils within me. “Undo it. Undo the wish,” I tell him.
“Which? Your mother’s? I don’t recommend that.” he scoffs.
“I don’t care what you recommend. Bring her back!” I demand. I gather up the words and look straight into his silver blue eyes. “I wish my mom to be alive and well!” I shout.
He waves his hand and points upstairs. I run up and open her bedroom door to find her asleep in bed. I get close to see she’s perfectly fine. I go back downstairs to thank Gene and find him seated on the couch cutting into the steak.
I open my mouth but drop to my knees clenching my chest. Cold sweat dripping from my forehead. “What’s happening?” I gasp.
“The balance of life,” Gene says wiping his mouth with a napkin. “You can’t take away from the universe without giving something in return,” he says getting up from his seat.
“Why did you…,” I’m unable to finish.
He kneels beside me and tilts his head. With a grin stretching from ear to ear he replies, “It’s more fun for me this way.”
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