This time there were a few scattered hands raised, somewhat nervously. Nobody seemed sure of what Leslie had in mind for this. But one hand seemed to be more firmly raised than the others, and Leslie homed in on that.
"Yes, you there, come up on stage please".
The owner of the hand got up and slowly made her way up onto the stage. It soon became clear why. She was very old, bent over almost double with age, and walking with the help of a cane. A few stagehands took her by the arms to help her up the stairs, where she hobbled over to Leslie. Daniel and Josh seemed to recognize her, smiling and waving at her.
"Hello and welcome to the show!" said Leslie proudly. "Now tell me, what is your name?"
"Jessica. Jessica O'Brian", said the old woman with a quavering voice. Her thin, short hair was completely white, and she was wearing thick glasses on her nose. Her massively overweight body was clad in a loose floral print dress that fit on her like a bag, hiding her bulk somewhat. Her face was wrinkled and sagging, her eyes sunken, and her lips thin and shriveled. But she radiated a gentle, reassuring aura as she smiled a toothless smile. Looking at her Gloria felt like she would be a wonderful grandmother.
"And how old are you, Jessica?"
"I'm 90 years old. I turned 90 a month ago, and my dear son, he sent me here as a treat".
"How thoughtful. Is he here now?"
"No..." and now Jessica's expression turned sad. "He and his wife are always so busy. They don't usually talk to me. This trip was the first time I heard from them in years".
"I'm sorry to hear that... our friends here seem to know you, is that right?"
She peeked behind Leslie's shoulders to smile and wave at Daniel and Josh. "That's right. They sat next to me for breakfast today... first time someone notices I exist..."
Jessica's voice was quavering a bit more than usual, and to everyone's surprise Leslie leaned forward and gave her a hug. "That's okay, Jessica. You were very brave to come up here. Now, if you'll just stand next to your friends?"
The old woman shuffled over to stand next to Daniel. Josh smiled and tugged at her dress, and she grinned back, mussing his hair.
"Now, please, all three of you!" announced Leslie. "I want you to look into my pendant. When you do that, I want you to fall into a deep sleep and listen to my voice. Now watch the pendant..."
Daniel, Josh, and Jessica stared at the pendant, immediately going into a trance.
"Just a few more questions, Jessica", said Leslie in a soothing voice. "Where is your husband?"
"He left me not long after I had Damon", said Jessica, her hand trembling on her cane. "I think Damon never quite forgave me for being a single mother, even though I had to work two jobs to care for him".
"That's unfair, I'm sure you'll agree. What do you think of Daniel and Josh?"
"They're very sweet. We chatted for quite some time at breakfast. I learned so much from them... I would be happy to spend more time with them, help them like they helped me... and Daniel turned out so handsome..."
"I see. And you know why you are on this stage, right?"
"You asked for volunteers to be Daniel's wife".
"Do you think you could do it?"
When Jessica spoke, despite being in a trance Gloria could hear the emotion in her voice. "I always wished I could go back and do things differently. I know I was a good mother for Damon despite the cards I had been dealt. I would do it again with someone who loved and cared for me as much as for our children".
"Wonderful, thank you Jessica", said Leslie, turning to the audience. "As you see, Jessica here has not had the best life she could have led, despite her best efforts to care for those she loved. Now by having her join Daniel and Josh's family, we can give her the life she could have, and give Josh a mother as well. Perhaps we might be able to improve her life by changing a few details? Let's find out!"
She turned back to Jessica. "Let's play another game. I'm going to tell you a number and when I say it, you will become that age in body and mind. And if I add in any other details, your body will change accordingly. Are you ready?"
Jessica nodded, her expression still blank. "I am ready".