Katie sighed as she stood at the top of the stairs. Although she didn't want to lie she didn't want to tell the others about her mistake, the last thing she wanted to do was upset the group. Katie closed her eyes and wished for the girls to become 12 without the knowledge of having become six at the beach. Katie also wished for their clothes to change with their age and for their memories to be the same as they were before they became six.
Katie now silently listened as the ring glowed. Katie could hear the girls laughing and talking downstairs. Already she could tell they were beginning to age back to 12. The childish sound of their voices was beginning to disappear as they became older. Katie could also hear their conversation begin to change. Before the girls were talking of Disney movies and their first sleepover. Now the topic had changed to cute boys in the sixth grade and the excitement of going to junior high. Katie snack downstairs and gazed at the front door. Where before childish sandals had littered the floor now flip flops, socks and dusty sneakers lay strewn in the front foyer. Glancing outside Katie could see the car was gone again replaced by six ten speed bicycles appropriate for a group of 12 year Olds.
"There you are Katie." Katie spun around to see Claudia and Mary Else approaching her from the living room. Mary and Claudia were still dressed in their two piece bathing suits from the beach, neither seemed to be aware of the fact they had been six years old only a few moments before. "Hi girls," she answered. "You having fun so far?"
"This is the most fun I've had in years," Claudia exclaimed. "Your mom...I mean your sister is so much fun Katie. Has she always been this free spirited and fun loving?"
Katie laughed at Claudia question. "Not really," Katie said. "She was one of the oldest moms in my class and was a bit of a downer. She was more interested it seemed in keeping me safe and making sure I did well in school."
"Huh," Mary said. "After hanging out with her for the afternoon I would never think she was like that. I would expected her to be kind of free spirit. Sort of a hippie who buys organic food and has a really fun job. Guess growing older really does change you." Mary and Claudia turned to Katie with quizzical looks on there face. "So what do we do now," Mary asked. "What do you mean?" Katie asked. "Well," Claudia said. "Believe it or not we really are enjoying ourselves. I dont want to sound presumptuous but I was hoping we could hang out a little longer...maybe sleepover."
Katie smiled as she looked at the young redhead and blonde in front of her and smiled. "Of course," she responded excitedly. "You can stay as long as you want." Mary and Claudia squealed in delight before hugging Katie. "Thanks Katie," they replied in unison. "No problem girls," she said. "I dont we order some pizza." Mary and Claudia agreed as Katie called for a couple of pizzas. "Hey Katie," Claudia said. "Maybe we can do one more thing." Katie looked at Claudia and Mary with a quizzical look on her face. "What are you two thinking?" she asked.
Claudia and Mary giggled before beckoning Katie over to the side. "You've got that ring why dont we have some fun with it. Maybe play game with the group or change someone else."
Katie smiled broadly at her two new friends. The possibility of fun with the ring was almost too good to be true.