Three Wishes Chapter 2

Christine quickly scooted past him and headed downstairs as fast as she could without actually running. She heard Tariq following her and she thought she heard him chuckling. By the time Tariq found her in the kitchen, Christine was on her second glass of water.

Suddenly remembering her manners, Christine swallowed quickly. “Do you drink?”

Tariq smiled at her nervousness. “I eat and drink only for the pleasure of it. I do not need it to survive.”

“Oh,” Christine replied and sat her glass on the counter. Tariq looked around the kitchen curiously. He had never seen such strange things before.

“What year is this?” he asked as he examined the toaster.

“2000 A.D.,” Christine answered. She watched him pick up the toaster and turn it upside down.

“What is this contraption?” Tariq asked, setting it back down.

“It’s called a toaster. You put bread in it.” Christine walked over to him and grabbed a loaf of bread off the counter. Taking a slice out she dropped it in a slot and pushed the lever down. “Here, watch this. In a minute it will pop back up toasted,” she explained.

Tariq reached out to touch the toaster, fascinated that the inside had begun to glow and bright red. Christine tried to stop him but was too late.

“No, Tariq.”

“Ouch!” Tariq jerked his hand back and begun to curse in a language Christine had never heard before.

“I’m sorry, Tariq. I should have warned you that it gets very hot,” Christine apologized. “Here, let me see your hand.”

Tariq gave her his hand and watched her as she examined his fingers. They were red and blisters were beginning to form on the tips. Christine frowned with concern.

“It’s blistering,” she fretted. “Tariq, I’m so sorry.”

“Christine,” Tariq said quietly.

Christine looked up at him. “Watch,” he commanded and he lifted his left hand and waved it once over the burned fingers of his right hand and the burns were gone. Christine gasped at the same time the toaster popped up the toasted bread, causing them both to jump. Ignoring the toast, Christine began to look over Tariq’s hand again.

“How did you do that?” she asked, turning his large hand over and carefully looking over the now healed skin.

A smile flittered around the corners of Tariq’s mouth. “I told you I am a Genie.” Christine looked up at him and frowned at his answer. “And if that does not convince you, close your eyes.”

“Why?” Christine asked.

Tariq smiled. “Trust me, my princess. Close your eyes,” he commanded again, slipping his left arm around her waist as she obediently shut her eyes. “Do not open them until I tell you to.” He pulled her close until their bodies touched.

“Tariq?” Christine gasped, but kept her eyes shut.

“Sh-h-h-h, trust me,” he answered softly, his lips next to her ear. “Okay, now open your eyes.”

Christine opened her eyes and they were standing in the attic where she’d first found the lamp. “Oh crap!” Christine said as she went limp and fainted in Tariq’s arms.

When Christine opened her eyes, she found herself lying on her bed again, but this time Tariq was sitting beside her, looking down at her.

“Are you alright, my princess?” Tariq asked as he gently brushed her cheek with his fingertips. “That is the second time you have fainted on me.”

Christine swatted his hand away, annoyed, and sat up. “I’ve never fainted a day in my life until you showed up. And I am not your princess.”

“So you are convinced now?” Tariq asked, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“Stop laughing at me,” Christine sighed, bringing her knees up before her and wrapping her arms around them. “Yes, I am convinced.” Turning her head to look at him, she asked, “So when was the last time you were summoned from the lamp?”

Tariq thought a moment. “I believe it was 1932 A.D.”

Christine quickly calculated it in her head. “So that would have been 78 years ago.”

“Yes, but I do not recognize this place.” He waved his arms around to indicate the house. “Are we in Egypt?”

Christine laughed. “Egypt? No, we are in the United States, in the State of Virginia.”

Tariq frowned. “I do not understand this United States or State of Virginia.”

Christine quickly gave Tariq a history lesson. “You’re far from home if your from Egypt,” she finished. “Maybe the lady who previously owned this house brought you here.”

Tariq nodded. “Her name was Ruth. She told me she was an American.”

“Yeah, people who come from the United States are called ‘Americans’,” Christine replied. “Ya know it’s late and I’m hungry.” Christine made her way off the bed and headed out the bedroom door. She turned back to Tariq. “You hungry?”

“Something to eat would be enjoyable.” He smiled, standing and following her down the stairs to the kitchen.