"I think we need to call in the experts about this," said Jackie, getting out her phone.
"Who are the experts?" asked Felicia.
"Katie and Kellie, who else?" said Jackie. Thankfully, after that near-fiasco with the Tozawas, Gloria's friends added Katie, Kellie, and the others' numbers on their phones.
After a little bit, Katie picked up the phone. "Hey, Jackie, what's up?" she asked.
"Er, Katie, we've got a bit of a situation," said Jackie.
Katie gave a small sigh of exasperation and said, "Trouble with the ring again? Let me guess, Diane and Naomi have been aged up and you're not sure if they'll be coming back."
"No, it's about your mom and aunt," said Jackie.
"Aunt Ann? Oh, let me guess. They got into a fight and Gloria aged them down so they can learn to appreciate each other, right?" asked Katie.
"Close..." said Jackie, "They did get aged down to teenagers, but Gloria said the ring did it on its own."
"Oh, well, Merlin did say the ring has a bit of a mind of its own," said Katie.
"Well, things got weirder from there," said Jackie, "First Ann starts acting more like a teenager and goes goth."
"I heard that Ann was a goth as a kid, but I didn't quite believe it," said Katie.
"Then Lisa starts acting like a teen and starts having a fight with Ann. Then the ring...I think it literally made Gloria their mother. She's about 40 years old, she looks different, and she and both Ann and Lisa think they're her daughters. And the worst part is that she doesn't remember the ring and doesn't believe in magic anymore."
There was a long pause as Katie processed it and said, "Ok, that is serious. You did the right thing by calling me. I'll be over there as soon as I can to try and fix it."
"Good. Thank you," said Jackie.
"One more thing. Is Gloria a single mother or does she have a husband now?" asked Katie.
"Uh, I haven't seen any guys around the house," said Jackie.
"Well, keep an eye out. The way the ring is right now, I would hardly be surprised if it decides to make a husband for Gloria. Don't let any guy into the house until I get there," said Katie.
"Right, I'll watch for any man that comes near the house," said Jackie.
"Any guy. This is the Ring of Age we're talking about. It'll turn anyone into husband material. It could be a kid sent over to borrow a cup of sugar, some classmate of yours who wants to study with Gloria, a neighbor who wants to talk with Lisa about something, anyone," said Katie, "The only thing I'm certain about is that Gloria isn't bi so she's not likely to get a wife."
"Ok, I get it," said Jackie.
"We'll be there soon. I just need to see to something quick," said Katie before hanging up.
Jackie turned to Felicia and said, "Katie's on her way, but we have to keep any guy from getting close to the house. The ring might turn them into her husband."
"Ok, got it," said Felicia, hoping it wouldn't take Katie too long to get there.