4th Wish Read Online Free PDF

any."
    I nodded. “Can you extend the reversal of age and perfect health part of the wish to include my immediate family and friends? Back ‘em all down to twenty-five?” I picked up Winston and added, “And my cats? Would you make them each about a year old, physically?"
    In a tone that said that I was beginning to bug her with my unending details, she said, “Yes."
    "Then we'll add that in, too. Now for the last part of my third wish. After irrevocably granting my other conditions of this wish, you'll accept your emancipation from whatever bondage made me your temporary master. I won't include that you must never again allow anyone to confine or control you unless you ask me to add that into my wish."
    Both of her eyebrows went up at that. After a moment, Jaline smiled and said softly, “I'd prefer that you not include that in your wish. Perhaps you're smarter than I thought."
    I returned her smile and said, “No human I've ever heard of could confine or contain someone like you without your cooperation, milady. Why do you do it?"
    Studying her coffee, she said, “I ... I can't tell you that."
    "More rules, or just plain ol’ unwillingness?"
    Her eyes rose to meet mine. “Both."
    Patting Winston, I grinningly said, “See, Winston? Give a genie her freedom and she gets all uppity.” Winston gave me an ear-flick equivalent of 'shut up and pet me' .
    There was a lull in conversation as we sipped our coffees. Just as it occurred to me that I'd never seen any reference to a Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle outside a science fiction paperback, I had a sudden revelation. It was as if someone had flipped a switch inside my head. Complete understanding flooded my mind.
    I had to try it. My gaze fell upon the diamond bag. I envisioned it sitting by the kitchen door and it disappeared, then reappeared by the kitchen door. In more or less complete shock, I softly muttered, "Well, damn! It really works!"
    Jaline smiled at my expression. I envisioned the bag on the kitchen counter. It disappeared and reappeared there. The new knowledge in my head told me how to suspend it in mid-air and I tried that, too, which made the cats extremely nervous. They stared hard at the floating bag until I set it on the floor.
    Looking at my reflection in the microwave's window, I searched for changes to my face and saw none. Examining my left hand for signs of returning youth, I began to ask Jaline when I'd begin to look and feel younger, but she anticipated my questions.
    "Your body—and those of the others you included in your wish—will be adjusted gradually over the next week or so, Ed. Changing physiologies too quickly causes considerable pain. Those who aren't aware of your wish could also experience serious mental distress.” With a grin, she added, “Will you contact them or allow the changes to be a complete surprise?"
    Grinning back at her, I said, “I'll call my mother in a day or two and let her know what to expect. She'll probably think I'm a little crazy, but by then she may have noticed changes. I'll call my sisters after I talk to her. It might comfort them to know that they won't regress back to zero."
    Chuckling, Jaline asked, “What about Selena?"
    "She's only in her thirties, so the changes won't be as noticeable. I'll give her a few days to get organized in Tallahassee, then call her if she hasn't called me in the meantime. Should be interesting, either way. If I'm all set, what are your plans now, Jaline? Are you in a great big hurry to hit the road?"
    As Moocher stood on the chair by Jaline's and preened under her hands, she asked, “Hit the road? You mean to leave?"
    "Yes'm. You don't have to, you know. You're very welcome to use Selena's room and stay a while. You'd get free use of the cats, too. Especially that one."
    Moocher's loud purr as she petted him made her chuckle softly. Jaline ruffled his chin fuzz for a time, then sighed.
    "I don't know,” she said. “I'll have to ... I'll want to check with some