"Well, it's like this." Steph looked up at me, cautious, but clearly excited. "If you really have a magic ring you can do anything with, why don't the three of us use it to improve our lives? And maybe other people, later, you know?"
Michelle looked down at her shorter friend excitedly and then back at me. "Hey! What do you think?"
"You know... that sounds like a good idea." I grinned at little Steph. "Yeah, why not? But where do we start?"
"Welll...." Steph snickered. "You could start with us. I'd really like the day off work. So, you know... we can try stuff."
"Yeah, me too." Michelle stared at me with a twinkle in her eyes. "Can you do that?"
So, there, in the alley, I granted their modest request. Like myself, quite suddenly both girls received a cell phone call, one after the other, informing them the restaurant was closed because of a broken grill and wouldn't be open tonight. Of course, the manager informed them they'd be getting pay.
* * *
"That is awesome!" Steph repeated. "Like, can you believe this!?"
We were now walking down the street, the three of us together, both girls on either side of me. Though Michelle was taking the sudden existence of magic quite well, almost like 'oh, cool, okay,' it was little Stephy who was in amazement. She was a little firecracker, I found, and was full of energy and attitude. Michelle, the more grounded of the two, was relaxed and quite naturally shy. Together, they were good company.
"So, the three of us have the day off. Now what?"
"Hey, do you guys have a car?" I asked.
"Nah. I take the bus." Steph snorted. "Insurance is stupid."
"My dad won't buy me a car until I get my license." Michelle blushed in embarrassment. "And now he says because I'm 18 he won't buy it at all. So. Bus for me!"
"And I car pool." I said.
Suddenly the three of us stopped, and we stared at each other in realization.
"Where's the nearest dealership?" Steph clapped excitedly.