On the way to the burger joint, Ric thought Mr. Mendes looked a little different. He couldn't tell if Francisco was really changing or if it was just wishful thinking that the spell had worked. Maybe he should have brought the book along...Ric wasn't really sure how powerful his spell was.
Inside the burger place, the boys were discussing what they wanted to eat when the front host asked Mr. Mendes if he wanted a table or the counter. "The counter, please." Francisco said....his voice a little different, Ric looked up,Mr. Mendes was indeed looking younger...much younger. The host sat them and then said, "Awfully nice of you to bring your brothers in for lunch!" Mr. Mendes explained they weren't his brothers. The counterman then took the drink order. Ric stayed nervous that at any moment Mr. Mendes might realize he probably only 17 years old again. When Francisco ordered a beer, he was asked for his ID. The counterman noticed the picture looked a little older, but let it go. Francisco always had a young look even at his real age, the picture was about two years old and the counterman assumed that it was just another bad driver's license picture. He didn't realize that Francisco Mendes was currently reduced from the state of the picture to the age of most of the teens working there. "That was odd, but flattering." Francisco said, "Hey guys, I gotta go pee...be right back."
Ric knew this would be it..he had been on pins and needles all along. Mr. Mendes had not seen himself, so he had not realized how much younger he was...it was definate by his continual reactions of his normal self that his mind remained that of a 32 year old man.
In the bathroom, Francisco went to wash his hands after he had releived himself....staring back in the mirror was the 17 year old francisco he had been 15 years before, "What the fuck!", he exclaimed...then he felt himself start to shrink a bit. In seconds he reduced once more to a 13year old version of himself. The frightened teen looked at his body, once again of the verge of puberty with just the begginings of body and pubic hair, and looked at how baggy his tee shirt long shorts and sandals had become, "What's happening to me!?" Francisco exclaimed in a cracking voice.
Little did he know that "what" was happening would continue....Mr. Mendes will soon be a "Mr." no more....he would continue to grow younger and younger and younger and younger as the day progressed....maybe even beyond that...Ric had placed a very powerful spell that had to run it's course this time.