Wishful Thinking

By Tyler B

Ok, here we go, Jordan thought as she placed the lamp on her desk, she ran her fingers across the cool metal. She sat in her bed staring at the lamp and stated clearly, “I’m ready to see the Genie” A vibrating sound filled the room, and different hues of blue fog rolled in from every direction. A seemingly glowing mass of fog started to form into a solid figure of a woman. Jordan was finally meeting the genie.

Jordan remembered the day she acquired the lamp. It was after another fight with her boyfriend that forced them to go their separate ways. So, Jordan hopped in her car and just started to drive. The road always found a way to clear her head. She twiddled with the necklace that hung on her neck, a bitter reminder of her newfound singlehood. She wanted it off of her neck, out of her life, permanently. So, when a sign said pawnshop up ahead, Jordan veered off the highway.

When she entered the shop, it looked like she stepped into a time machine. Crazy knick- knacks and treasures inhabited every available space; vintage toys were sitting on old furniture. Old lamps provided the only light source in the place. It bathed the store in an ominous glow. Framed pictures of souls long gone looked to Jordan as she scoured the aisle. Creepy, she thought as she continued to wander around the shop. Jordan was looking at her reflection on an ornate mirror when a glint of light caught her eye. She turned toward the light source and saw, peeking through some used books was a nozzle. Jordan, completely mesmerized by the object, walked toward it and picked up a golden lamp. The detailing is intricate even under the film of dust. It’s beautiful, she thought, but it needs a good polishing.

”Can I help you,” a sharp voice spoke, making Jordan drop the lamp onto the carpeted floor as she spun towards the noise. There standing behind her was an old woman with wispy hair, cat eyeglasses, and enough jewelry to decorate a fashion show stacked high on itself.

”Oh um... sorry... I was just,” Jordan spluttered as she picked up the lamp. “This lamp is very beautiful, but I think it needs polishing.” She finished trying to hand the lamp back to the woman. The lady arched her eyebrows. inspecting Jordan. She then spun on her heel, walking towards a glass counter. Jordan followed.

“I've had that lamp for many years, and you are the first person to notice it.” Jordan doubted that to be true, but she let the lady continue, “So do you want to buy it.”

Jordan was taken aback by the question. “I can’t afford something like this, beside the lamp is yours.”

”There are other means of attaining something outside of money,” the old lady said, waving off Jordan’s remark. “What can you give me in exchange for the lamp?”

“I don’t have anything,” Jordan said.

”Nonsense, what about that necklace you have on? I’m always looking to add to my collection,” fiddling with the many beads that adorned her neck. Jordan had completely forgotten about her necklace once she stepped into the pawnshop. She grabbed at the chain, suddenly feeling hesitant to part ways with it so soon. There was a twinkle in the old woman’s eyes, when she said, “Come on, I think the lamp deserves a new home.”

“Fine,” Jordan said as she undid the clasp of her necklace. Her neck felt bare without the familiar chain around her. She hadn’t taken it off in years.

“Excellent choice” the old woman clapped as she started packing up the lamp in a box. “A piece of advice before you use this kid. Don’t rush to use the lamp. Make sure your life is in order before you make a wish. It gives you more freedom to choose,” she handed the box to Jordan. “Talk to the genie first; she is extremely insightful about her work.”

“What do you mean by that?” Jordan asked, taking the box from the old woman.

“You’ll figure it out,” the lady concluded with a wink.

It had begun to rain as Jordan exited the store. She ran to her car trying her best not to get too wet. As Jordan stared at the storefront she watched as the luminescent 'OPEN’ sign flickered off. She looked down at the box. What just happened? She opened the package and held the lamp. As she inspected the item, she noticed under the dust a small engraving surrounding the base. “When the time is right, and you are alone say ‘I’m ready to see the genie’ and she shall appear.

There’s that word again. Jordan wouldn’t consider herself a nonbeliever of the supernatural, but she never had the need to question it up until now. Jordan decided she needed to do some research on the lamp. Her curiosity was piqued about the item she just acquired.

Trading the necklace for the lamp seemed to spark a much-needed change in Jordan’s life. Over the last few months, she used the lamp as a motivation to establish herself independently. She went after promotion in her advertising job. With the added income, she was able to move into her own apartment. Finally, she started seeing a therapist; Jordan never felt more stable in her life. It looked good on her.

Throughout this process, she tried to research the lamp, but there was little to nothing on the internet. The best she could find was an archived forum about people becoming extremely wealthy seemingly overnight. Just for them to have massive breakdown years or even months later. They were said to curse the genie, always cursing the genie. Jordan didn’t know what to do with that information.

“Congratulations, you have found my lamp,” The words snapped Jordan back to the present. “Now, I must grant you a wish. One wish; three is a stereotype. Please remember that I cannot make someone fall in love with you, bring someone back from the dead, or give you more wishes. You get the gist. So, what do you wish for?” the Genie finished, finally looking down at Jordan. She gawked at the genie from across the way. The intensity of her power was filling up all the space in her room. “So, what is it that you wish for...?” The genie spiel was so blunt, Jordan had to blink a couple of times before she could process the information.

“J.. Jo... Jordan,” She finally spluttered, “My name is Jordan.”

“Well Jordan, what is your deepest desire?” the genie asked floating towards her.

“No, no.” Jordan finally started sitting up in her bed, “I want you to level with me.”

“Very well,” the genie said, conjuring up a floating chair. “What is it that you want to

know?”

“How many people have you served throughout your existence?”

The blue fog started encircling Jordan; she looked around and saw glimpses of people from various periods and locations. She recognized some things, while others looked like they were coming from her wildest imaginations. “The power of the lamp removes me from linear time and space. I have served thousands of masters from the past, present, and future all over the world. Some have had successful runs with me. Others can pinpoint their demise to their single wish.” Well, that explained the forum. Jordan tried her luck on the opposite spectrum.

“Has anyone ever considered world peace?”

“Yes, but there is a caveat to that particular wish. This world cannot exist without human suffering. So, in that scenario, while everyone is happy and content, somewhere just out of view from everyone is one child suffering. Every person is aware of their existence and their pain. But for the sake of their own and the collective world's happiness, they allow that child to suffer the most unbearable burden.”

Jordan nodded. She knew she didn’t want to be responsible for that even if it did mean the rest of the world would be happy. Through the fog that the genie emitted Jordan saw a pile of books next to the lamp.

“What about going to another world? Like in a book or sitcom,” Jordan asked, picking up her favorite book on her nightstand. She rifled through the pages she’s read countless times, always wishing she could adventure with the characters in her books. Or be friends with people from her favorite TV show. She wanted to see their world through their eyes, instead of as an omniscient viewer.

“Living in your escapist media of choice is something to be considered,” the genie mused, “but think about the world they live in a little bit more. There trials and tribulations are simplified for an audience.”

“Yeah,” a dreamy expression was evident on Jordan's face, “Every loose end tied up neatly at the end of the day.”

“Hmm, until the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that, and the day aft--”

“Ok!” Jordan exclaimed, “Maybe not a sitcom, but what about a fantasy world, like Steven Universe or Harry Potter? Who wouldn’t want their own powers?”

“Do you want to put yourself in the middle of a war?” asked the genie “You were just considering world peace. Now, you want to escape into a world still recovering from a war? And one that is on the brink of another?”

“How about a romantic co--”

“The constant misunderstanding and lack of communication,” the genie swooned onto a chaise that suddenly appeared below her. “How could you possibly bear the constant worrying of if he likes you or not?”

“I haven’t thought about it that way,” Jordan deflated a little.

“Besides,” the genie gestured around Jordan’s room, “You are more stable here than you would ever be in any story you fall into. Don’t give that up so easily, Jordan.”

This wishing business was even more complicated than Jordan anticipated. She had ruled out the obvious wishes already. Wanting fame and fortune would corrupt absolutely and living forever wouldn’t be fun if everyone around her kept dying. Jordan started to wonder if having the wishes was even worth the stress at this point.

Jordan stared out the window. She looked to the boarded-up storefront of her old bodega. It had closed after rent prices became too high. From there she saw a solitary figure walking alone on the street, the wind ripped through their jacket as they clinched it for warmth. In the distance, she hears the sound of a siren hurtling towards its next emergency.

“What if I give you to someone else,” Jordan perked up at the thought. “You’re right, I am stable enough where I don’t need anything. Since I waited to use you; I really got my life together. So if I give you to someone who really needs it; wouldn’t that be a better use of your power?” Jordan couldn't help but hear the hopeful tone in her voice.

The genie floated around Jordan’s room, contemplating the idea. A smirk danced on her face. “It is a noble thing for you to do, relinquishing your wish like that. But unfortunately, the magic of the bottle does not allow that. You see Jordan, you may think that you found the lamp, but it actually chose you. I must grant you a wish. Your wish.” emphasized the genie before Jordan had the chance to interrupt.

“Then what should I wish for Genie, that doesn’t end in catastrophe?” Jordan asked dejectedly.

“You can have almost anything in the world right now. Big or small, but you have to choose wisely.”

Jordan mulled over Genie’s words. Big or small. Maybe Jordan was overthinking the wish. She already had everything she needed, but what did she want right now? A small idea popped into her head.

“I think I have it now, Genie” a smile formed on Jordan’s face, “I wish to have the second-best cookie in my life”

“So it shall be,” the genie said with a slight nod “But before I give you this cookie. Can I ask you why the second best?”

“It’s simple really,” Jordan shrugged, “I can always look forward to the best cookie in the future.”

“Simple, yet satisfying,” The genie said approvingly. The smell of fresh baked goods filled the room. Genie opened her hand towards Jordan. There rotating in her palm was a perfect chocolate chip cookie. Jordan grabbed the cookie; it was warm to the touch. She broke it in half; ribbons of melted chocolate stretched from the separation.

“Here,” Jordan said, handing half of it to the Genie. “A cookie like this is meant to be shared.” Genie grabbed the other half and sat down by Jordan. Genie snapped her fingers and two glasses of milk floated next to them.

“Cheers,” said the Genie. The two of them clinked their glasses and enjoyed their small snack. It was delicious.

“Wow, that was incredible,” Jordan said, taking a huge gulp of milk. “And to think I have one more cookie that is going to top that.” The genie hummed in agreement. “So where are you off to next, now that you're done with me?” Jordan asked.

“I have an idea, but I won’t really know until after I enter the bottle again,” the genie answered, finishing her glass of milk. As soon as it was empty both glasses disappeared, “I think I’m going to stay out for a while, then I’ll ask you to throw me in a river or something. The lamp will take it from there.”

Jordan nodded. “Just let me know whenever you're ready.”

”So it shall be,” Genie answered with a wink.