"I don't think there's anything you can do at this point" fumed Pam.
She stormed off across the yard to the dock, where she stood staring at the dark water.
Ms. Maisar turned to David. "Make no mistake: my magic is high quality. She will change permanently into a mermaid sooner or later, once her heart is into it."
Sitting on the deck chair, David had watched Pam walk in the fading light out to the dock. He wished there was some way to persuade her how amazing life would be as a mer.
"My boy, is there anything I can offer you?" asked Ms. Maisar.
"Will our parents understand?" David wondered aloud.
"I can do nothing about that. They will or they will not. Perhaps only in time."
"You seem rather cold, Ms. Maisar. Perhaps you should try to care about people a little more, especially if you're giving them life-altering potions without their knowledge."
Ms. Maisar gave no reply.
"Why do I have a fish tail while Pam has a dolphin tail?"
"She has a love of dolphins. Emotions have an effect on magic. I suspect you just have a love of mers in general and the classic form is with a fish tail."
"Could you make my tail like hers? Pam might find it easier to accept things."
"Hmmmmm. Your transformation is already complete. But if in your heart you wish for this change to occur then a second application of the lotion should bring about the change you wish."
"I left the rest of mine back at the beach, if there even was any left. I might've been generous in applying it. Do you have any more?"
Ms. Maisar began to examine some pockets when Pam returned from the dock.
"Look what I found" she said, raising her hand to reveal the half-empty bottle of magical lotion that had caused Pam's transformation. "It was still on the dock."
"Ah, good" said Ms. Maisar. "You have all that you need. I wish you much success on your new lives."