Mary Elise slowly made her way toward the counter where Katie was working. The young red heads attention was drawn to the ring that seemed to glow behind the glass of the display case. "I was hoping you could tell me about that ring," she asked anxiously. Katie smiled as she looked at her old friend. "We'll this piece is quite special," Katie said. "It's a gold inlaid ring with a jewel in the center. We're asking $4,000 as a price."
Mary sighed as she frowned slightly. The young teacher didn't have that kind of money. As she was about to walk away Claudia and mika came up behind. "Hey Mary that's a gorgeous ring, you buying it?" The two asked anxiously. "It's too expensive," Mary sighed. "I can't afford it."
Claudia placed her hand on her friends shoulder and smiled. "We'll I guess it's your lucky day birthday girl," Claudia stated happily. "Mika and I will cover the cost."
Mary turned to her friends in shock. "Claudia no," she exclaimed. "It's $4,000 that's too much."
"Come on Mary," Mika said. "Claudia and me have made a ton of money modeling and working in fashion it would be our pleasure."
"Besides," Claudia said. "We've been friends forever. Nothing would make me happier than getting this for you as a birthday gift."
Mary squealed with delight as she hugged her friends tightly. "Okay I'll take it," she exclaimed.
Kati smiled broadly as she pulled the Ring of Age out of the display case. "Before I give you this I need to tell you about this item," she said motioning Katie closer. "This is the Ring of Age. It has the power to make people older or younger by wishing. Once you put this ring on you will have the power to control people's ages, both in mind and in body. You need to be careful what you wish for though, the ring takes age related wishes very seriously."
Mary gave Katie a confused look before laughing softly. "Okay I'll be careful," she stated. Katie shook her head as she handed Mary the ring. "Please you need to be careful with this item," she pleaded. "This item can be a lot of fun but can also be very dangerous. If anything should happen that you can't control feel free to come back."
Mary smiled politely as she placed the ring on her finger. Oddly it was a perfect fit for her even though she had thought it a little loose when she first put it on. Mary didn't believe what Katie was saying but thanked her anyway as she exited the store.
Mary Elise and her friends spent the remainder of the day shopping and catching up with each other. The five of them had been close since childhood. The girls branched off a little once they entered college. After graduation the friends branched out even more. While Mary had become an elementary school in town the others had moved on to other fields. Mika and Claudia had moved to New York to work in the fashion industry. Claudia was a successful model while Mika was a rising star in the fashion industry. Samantha owned a nightclub, bar and restaurant in town and had Tricia as her lead chef. All of them were happy with their lives but we're slowly drifting away from each other.
As Mary and her friends entered Samantha's restaurant for a late dinner she sighed. The others girls were moving on with their lives while Mary remained behind. Samantha had married a police officer named Jacob two years ago and rarely went out anymore. Lately she talked of trying to start a family soon, Tricia was engaged to a nice man who worked as a computer analyst. The two we're planning a wedding in the fall and wanted to have a large wedding. Mika and Claudia were coming back home less and less as their careers were now taking off. Mary now worried that soon she would be by herself as her friends started new lives.
"Hey Mary wake up," Samantha exclaimed. "You need to blow out these candles and make a wish." Mary shook her head waking from her daze as a large birthday cake was wheeled out of the kitchen. Smiling at her friends Mary looked at the cake. "If only birthday wishes came true," she thought. "I would wish we were kids again." Mary blew out the candles as a slow tingle crept over he body.
The rest of the night was a blur for Mary as the women danced and drank. By 1 a.m. The girls were tired and said their goodbyeas Samantha and Tricia headed back to their homes whileClaudia and Mika were spending the night at Mary's apartment. As Mary and her friends arrived at their apartment Mary set up the spare bedroom for the two to sleep in. As the three women settled for a goodnight sleep Mary thought about what the group would do over the weekend.