John, now Joan, had enough. He had spent a week as a girl, and he couldn't take it anymore. Joan and Amy's Mom was surprisingly accepting of his new change. At first she found it hard to believe. But after Amy revealed intimate details only a family member would know, their Mom began to believe them. Amy explained that a magic cave - now collapsed and inaccessible - had changed them. Joan wanted to tell about the box and the fairy, but Amy had threatened him with severe punishment. She had even threatened to change their Mom into an animal if he didn't do what he was told. So he kept quiet.
Their Mom seemed happy when Amy demonstrated that she could handle all of John's old work. She didn't need to go to school. Their Mom could homeschool her, and most of what she needed to know she could learn working on the farm. Their Mom also seemed happy to have another little girl. She and Amy had a lot of fun shopping for clothes for their new little sister. Joan hated it, but his childish pouting just seemed cute to them.
But now Amy was gone. She had gone to town to get some supplies. Amy had threatened him to stay out of her room, but he no longer cared. He had to get back to normal, one way or another. Searching through her room he could not find the box, but he did find Mara in his sister's sock drawer. Mara looked sick, and very sad. She was frightened at first, but when she saw it was Joan she brightened.
"Quickly, child! Set me free! I can't take the smell anymore!" said Mara.
Joan unscrewed the cap, and Mara flew out of the jar. She stretched and flapped her wings with joy. Now free, she already looked healthier, and she began to glow a little.
"Ah, thank you child! For your kindness, I will grant your wish. Think carefully about what you want," said Mara.
"I wish I was bigger, " said Joan quickly.
"Wait! " said Mara. She grunted, and tried to contain her dust, but it drifted down around Joan.
Joan quickly shot up several feet in height. Her clothes stretched tightly across her larger frame. But although she was taller, her body had not developed. She still looked like a young girl, although a very tall one.
"Hey, what gives? I wanted to be bigger!" said Joan angrily.
Mara sighed. "You are bigger. But you aren't any older. You have to be very specific when you wish. I tried to warn you, " said Mara.
Joan smiled. "I don't care. I am bigger than Amy now. I don't have to worry about her anymore," said Joan, as she pounded her fist into her palm.
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that," said Mara, remembering Amy's wish to be the "big" sister.
At the store, Amy flirted with the cute store employee loading feed onto her truck bed. Suddenly, her clothes started to feel a little tight.