Read Three Wishes for Free Online Page B

like something in a scene from a crummy Hollywood movie.

    The diary goes blank. “What? That’s it? Thanks, Mom. Hardly helps at all,” I mutter. Despite years of therapy, I still harbor some irrational anger toward my parents for having left me orphaned at such a young age. To have gotten such a small, but juicy taste of who my mom was only brings these feelings back to the surface. I throw the diary under my bed and lie back to analyze what she has told me.
    This Genie Poem: interesting. So all of my traits I felt proud of — I glance at my prize-winning drawing from fourth grade, framed and still hanging on my wall — are only because I’m a genie.
    I don’t yet have my full powers, so it gets better!
    I have to find a master ( ugh, I hate that word)
    My parents fell in love at first sight: kinda cool
    I have to use my wish power carefully
    I’m not sure if the rest is relevant, but I have to admit it makes for good reading. Too bad there wasn’t any more. And… too bad I can’t wish for Pete to like me. I realize, in the back of my mind, I was planning on trying to make that happen. I sigh. Well, on the bright side, I’ve gone from straight to curvy and human to genie. Not so bad, all things considered, though I will have to be careful about using the word wish — I can see causing myself all kinds of problems around normal humans if I don’t watch out.
    With so much on my mind, I’ve gotta do something. There’s still a little daylight, so I might as well keep in shape for swimming while I’m at it. I roll off the bed and begin dressing in my running gear.
    I walk to the end of our street and then take off along the empty coast road. I’m about a mile into my three-miler when I see a car I recognize in the distance. It’s Pete, and he’s heading in my direction. My cheeks instantly flame at the thought of him seeing me bouncing around while I run, and I careen right, into the trees lining the road to avoid him. Heart pounding, I watch from my hiding spot as he drives the rest of the way down the coast road and toward my street. Maybe he’s coming to see me. If only. That would be a wish come true. I continue the rest of my run, head full of Pete, as usual, and distracted from what my mom had written.
    When I return home, though, my mind goes right back to the diary. I see my grandparents’ cars in the driveway and do my post-run stretching on the stoop. I decide my next step is to talk to them.
    â€œMamère? Papa?” I call out as I walk in.
    â€œRight here.” Their heads pop up from the living room couch.
    I stop in the kitchen for a glass of water and go back out to the living room. Grabbing the ottoman, I place it in front of the TV and sit down facing them. They look at each other, and then my grandfather clicks the TV remote off.
    â€œSo?” I say.
    â€œYes?” they ask in unison.
    I make them wait while I drain my glass. Putting it down carefully, trying to stay calm, I wait a few beats before accusing. “Do you know what I was reading?” To give them credit, they do seem confused. Hmm. Maybe they didn’t know about it. “It’s — my mom’s diary. She explained more about what she was — what I am. How could you have kept all of this from me?”
    â€œNow, honey,” my grandmother starts.
    â€œNo, Mamère,” I interrupt. “I know my mother said it was to protect me, whatever that means, but I think I had a right to know.”
    â€œGenie,” my grandfather tries next. “We know why you’re upset. Frankly, I think I would be, too, if the situation were reversed. But your mother made us swear to secrecy. It was one of the last conversations we ever had with her, and we felt as though we needed to respect her wishes.”
    â€œHer wishes, huh?” I say.
    â€œPoor choice of words, perhaps,” Mamère concedes. “Think about it,