After everyone went down to the kitchen, it took 20 minutes to explain everything to Mom. When they were finished, John could tell that Mom was upset. With the book on the table in front of her, Mom just stared at the others sitting across from her – John never felt so small in his life; and it wasn’t just because he was in Hannah’s body.
Everyone was getting nervous as they wondered what Mom was going to do. Taking a deep breath, Mom looked at Melanie and said, “You’re grounded until further notice, young lady.”
“What?” shocked, Melanie said, “But I didn’t do anything?”
“Didn’t you?” sighing, Mom said, “If you hadn’t been so careless with the book, your brother and sister would still be in their rightful bodies.”
“But I spent hours looking for once I realized it was missing.” Gesturing to John, Melanie said, “How was I supposed to know John would find it, or that Hannah would be stupid enough to read it?”
“Hey!” glaring at Melanie, Hannah said, “I’m not stupid, you’re stupid!”
“Be that as it may, you’re still grounded until I say otherwise.” Pausing, Mom said, “Which, I’m afraid, means you won’t be going to that concert this weekend.”
“This totally sucks!” getting up, Melanie glared at John and Hannah, “Thanks a lot, you guys.”
Once Melanie stormed off, Hannah and John turned to mom. Looking at Mom, Hannah said, “What’s going to happen to us, Mommy? Can you undo the spell?”
John winced when he heard his own body talking like a little girl. Looking at Hannah, Mom said, “I could undo it, quite easily, but I’m not going to – at least not yet.”
Now it was John and Hannah’s turn to be upset. Both of them looked at Mom and said, “What!?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not going to undo the spell; Hannah needs to learn there are consequences for her actions.”
While Hannah started tearing up, John looked at Mom and said, “I’m kind of the victim in all this, why am I being punished?”
“You’re not being punished, John; but I think this will do you some good as well.” Sighing, Mom said, “The purpose of that spell was to help two people understand each other; I think it will do you good to have a better understanding of what Hannah’s life is like.”
Overcome with emotion, Hannah stormed out of the kitchen in tears; like she usually did whenever she didn't get her way. After a moment, John turned to Mom and said, “But I don’t want to be a 7-year-old girl!”
“I’m sorry, sweetie, but my decision stands.” Looking at John, rather cryptically, Mom said, “If you give it time, I think you’ll find this is for the best.”
“Not likely.” Getting out of the chair, John said, “What am I supposed to do now? Can I go play some video games?”
“I don’t think so, those are way too violent for a 7-year-old girl.” Sighing, Mom said, “I’m afraid you’ll have to find something to do in Hannah’s room.”
Grumbling to himself as he walked out of the kitchen, to no one in particular, John said, “I wish I never found that stupid book.”
Once everyone was out of the kitchen, Mom sat back in the chair and said, “Perhaps this incident can fix what I couldn’t do 7 years ago.”
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