An hour later Mary, the mother of Jeff, Henry and Lucy, is sitting in the living room of the main house of Mike’s ranch on an armchair opposite the couch where “Mai” and Mike are sitting, the 27-year-old has a hand on the “woman’s” upper thigh, both smiling at Mary. Mike had introduced “Mai” as his girlfriend to Mary, with Mary introducing herself, unaware that the Japanese woman is her 10-year-old son Henry.
“So, what is this all about,” Mary asks, “you haven’t told me anything on the phone, just to come over”.
Mike smiles before explaining what is going on, “so, we thought it would be fun for you to try and guess what Jeff, Henry and Lucy have become,” Mike says, “have you got any ideas?”
Mary raises an eyebrow, “a program that is able to transform anyone and anything into anything imaginable,” she asks, “I don’t believe something like that exists and that you are just pulling one of your stupid jokes on me”.
Mike chuckles, “oh, it is real,” he says, taking his phone, “watch this”.
Mary watches as Mike’s hair turns from brown to purple then back, “unbelievable,” the woman mumbles.
Mike grins, “so, can you guess what your kids have chosen to become?”
Mary tilts her head, “hm… let me see,” she says, “I’d say, it wouldn’t surprise me Jeff being a horse, Lucy a kitten and Henry a puppy”.
Mike and “Mai” grin, “for Jeff you have guessed right,” Mike says, “however… Henry and Lucy aren’t a kitten and puppy”.
“Oh,” Mary says, “hm… could you give me a hint?”
Mike grins, looking at “Mai” out the corner of his eye, “only that they are NOT animals”.
“Not animals,” Mary asks, scratching her head, “but are still part of the ranch?”
Mike nods, “correct,” he says.
Mary thinks hard, after a while the woman lets out a sigh, “I give up,” she says, “please tell me: what have they become?”
Mike grins, “where’s the fun in that,” he asks, “you’ll figure it out, sooner or later”.
Mary sighs, “you have always been a mean tease,” she says, “my gut somehow tells me that they ARE animals and that you are trying to just confuse me”.
Mike continues to grin, “maybe I am… maybe I’m not,” he says, “as I have said: you’ll figure it out sooner or later”.
Mary nods, “oh, I most certainly will,” she says, “so, how have you two met,” she then asks.
Mike and “Mai” turn to look at each other, “we met a few weeks ago,” Mike says, “at a disco in town. I noticed Mai sitting all by herself and decided to try my luck, we’ve been together ever since”.
“Mai” nods, “yeah, Mike was the only man who asked me for a dance and who started a conversation with me,” the “woman” says.
Mary smiles, “you two make a great couple,” she says, oblivious that the “woman” is her 10-year-old son, “would you mind taking me to Jeff? I’d love to see him”.
“Sure, follow us to the stable,” Mike says as he and “Mai” get to their feet.
Arriving at the stables they head to the stall where Jeff is in, Mary’s eyes widen, “what a stunning mare,” she gasps.
Mike nods, “yes, SHE has turned out great,” he says.
“She defiantly has,” Mary says, smiling before turning to Mike, “well, thanks for letting me know, I’ll have to wrap my mind around what my other two babies are, but I’ll figure it out. However, I’d need to get home, I have stuff to do. I’ll come by once I think I have figured out what Henry and Lucy are”.
Mike smiles, “sounds good, just send me a message or call me,” he says.
Mary nods before all three walk out of the stables, when they pass a stall in which a black stallion is standing, Mary turns to look at the horse and grins, ‘a stallion suits you, Jeff,’ she thinks to herself, ‘I’ll see you soon’.
“Mai” and Mike head back into the main house as Mary climbs into her car and drives off, “haha… she had no idea that it’s me,” the Japanese “woman” says.
Mike chuckles, “you really have done a fantastic job,” he says.
“Mai” grins, “I wonder if she’ll ever figure it out,” she says.
Mike grins himself, “well… I guess we’ll have to wait and see,” he says, “now, what would you like to do the rest of the day?”