”What kind of a range does that ring have?” asked Haley.
”I don’t know,” I said. “All the old lady told me was that it would grant my fondest wishes, but it seems to be granting everything.”
”I was gonna say,” Haley chortled. “Like having huge hands was a fond wish. No, what I mean is, could it affect the whole world, or even the whole country?”
”I guess we could try. What did you have in mind -- world peace?”
”Ha!” she exclaimed. “I remember that episode of ‘The X-Files.’”
”Oh, yeah, the one with the genie --”
”And Mulder wishes for world peace --“
”And everyone on earth --“
”Disappears,” we both finished.
”Oh, man,” said Haley with a grin. “Maybe I should be selfish, then. Maybe be the next Lady Gaga. Can you see me prancing around in high heels and a skimpy latex something- or-other?” At that, her expression changed slightly, and she asked, “Actually, what do you think would happen if you wished all the women in the world were bi?”
”What, you want to get with Lady Gaga?” I asked, a bit surprised.
”Ha! She’s so not my type,” Haley claimed. “But, you know, I gotta admit, there’s a few of the other girls at school, I sometimes find myself thinking, what if things were different? Or, really, what if I were different? What if I were attracted to guys, like if I was...” She sighed and finished the sentence. “Normal.”
”Oh, come on,” I said. “You are normal. Just a different kind of normal.” I wasn’t sure that came out right, but I did see a smile flicker across her face.
”Yeah, I know.” She sighed again. “Someday things will be better for me.”
”Well, I wish they were better for you right now,” I said. "A lot better."
Haley’s eyes widened, and it was only then that I realized I’d said “I wish.”