Three Wishes by Deborah Kreiser Read Free Book Online Page A

family. At least I got to hear stories about my dad’s childhood from my grandparents, and from occasional run-ins with my dad’s old friends who still live in town. Even my bedroom is dad’s old room, redecorated, of course, but it is easy enough to picture him here as a boy.
    More mindful than ever of my mother’s absence, I place her diary on the nightstand next to the bed. I flop back down on the bed and examine the diary, illuminated by the pool of light from my reading lamp. How frustrating — just as I was going to learn something more about her, I am again disappointed. I pick it up again and begin re-reading her entry, hoping to gain more insight. Her handwriting splashes over the page, as if she was writing in a hurry, eager to get her thoughts on paper. When I get to the end, I sigh, and say, “Mom, I wish you had written more!”
    Of course, that did it.
    Incredulous, I page through the diary, which now has an additional twenty or so pages of her elegant cursive. Pulling myself together, I think, why should I be surprised? At this point, nothing should shock me. I dive right in.

    Darling, congratulations on solving the puzzle! I wanted to make sure these words were for your eyes only. Plus, I would be so happy to know you’re learning how to use your wish power for your own benefit. I’m sure you’ve realized, while your masters are limited to three wishes, you can grant yourself more. Beware, however, as too many selfish wishes can quickly drain your power. Experiment with what you can do. You’ll learn what separates a good wish from a great wish. And, yes, there can be bad wishes, too. It all comes back to finding the right master.
    I was sure I had found the one when I first saw Matthew. But then, after this brief, magical touch, I could imagine him becoming my first love.
    But love between genie and human was not done. Though not forbidden, it went against tradition. Genies usually socialized only with each other. Complicating matters, we lived outside of humanity, apart from their society, and were promised at birth. In my case, I was to be married to Guy Maroc, a distant cousin.
    The Marocs are a djinn family almost as old as mine, the de la Bouteilles. Guy and I weren’t close, though I didn’t worry much about our lack of connection. Genie females often live together, sort of like a harem, and we visit our mates for recreation or procreation, if you know what I mean. Guy was attractive and suitable for that purpose.
    So, we had no use for human relationships beyond needing to grant them wishes. Typically, our only interaction with our masters was when they called us, ready to make a wish. Upon completing their three-wish cycle, we altered their memories of us so they — and we — could go on with our lives.
    Already, though, the thought of Matthew forgetting me was crushing. It sounds impossible to fall in love at first sight, and yet, I swear that is what happened to us. Perhaps my magical genie qualities intensified our physical reaction to one another’s touch, or maybe it was his human chemistry drawing me to him. It would be hard for you to understand, unless you, too, have fallen in love in such a way.
    Our first day together, we wandered along the streets running through the city, pausing here and there to lock eyes again, and commenting on matters of no consequence. We continued on until we came to the door of a small chapel. “Let’s go in,” he urged.
    â€œOh, no, I—”
    â€œIt’ll be fine,” he tugged on my arm.
    â€œWell, I’m not a Catholic.”
    â€œNot a problem. I want you to see this.”
    Regardless of my religious affinity, I was able to appreciate the artistic beauty of the elaborate stained glass and richly colored mosaics throughout the space. The peace of the chapel and its silence enveloped me, and I found myself relaxing almost to the point of sleepiness.
    I almost