Jeff wanted to plant a rose bush in his backyard. He loved his collection of plants and wanted to include a rose bush as the center piece for his garden. The necessary yard work would take some time but Jeff was very patient.

Jeff was prepared to send a long day in his backyard. He didn’t have to go to work so he had more than enough time. Jeff liked to pace himself. He often took his time with everything he did, never rushing anything. Jeff was a super chill, laid back and relaxed kinda dude.

While digging in his garden to make space for his rose bush, Jeff’s shovel stuck something metal. Brushing away debris to get a closer look, there was an old, metal bottle hidden in the ground. Jeff picked up the strange find and rubbed off the dirt. While inspecting the bottle and cleaning it off, its cork popped off.

With a cloud of smoke surrounding her the cutest genie ever was now hovering in front of Jeff. As the genie stood before Jeff, she introduced herself. She was Meo ‘The Wish Giver.’

Unimpressed, Jeff greeted ‘The Wish Giver’ like she was a student he would teach in his high school English classes. For a being like a genie to be something so spectacular, this one acted like a teenager.

Meo told Jeff that she would grant him three wishes for finding her. Jeff stood there in awe and disbelief. Realizing he needed to focus on reality, Jeff started thinking about how he was delaying planting his prized rose bush in his garden.

He ushered the genie back into her bottle. Jeff convinced Meo that he need time to ponder about what his three wishes would be.

Meo returned to her bottle and Jeff continued working in his garden. He successfully planted his rose bush. By the time he was done, Jeff was ready bed. After returning inside his home, he placed the genie inside the bottle on his nightstand.

When Jeff awoke, he looked at the bottle on his nightstand and thought to himself, it could be a glorious opportunity to do some good. It was Sunday, so Jeff wanted to attend mass and thank God for the genie he had found. Surely, if he gave thanks to God, perhaps it would help Jeff make the most out of his three wishes.

Jeff got dressed and attended Sunday mass with the genie bottle hidden in his bag. Filled with joy, Jeff was more excited than usual for today’s service. He listened intently to the homily, went to kneel and rose with a bounce in his step, and practically ran to take communion. When service was over, Jeff decide to take a long walk home instead of riding with his follow parish members.

Walking back, Jeff paused after he witnessed a young women crying. He wanted to do something to help if he could. Jeff asked the woman if she was alright. She looked up sadly, shuddered, and then quickly looked away. Concerned, Jeff kept walking and slipped his hand inside his bag to rub the bottle. Within seconds, Meo appeared next to him.

With a gleeful look, Meo asked Jeff if he was excited and ready to make his first wish. Jeff nodded his head.

Looking at Meo, “You see that girl over there?” Jeff asked.

Meo looked overjoyed and gave a wide smile, then she looked back at Jeff.

Jeff said aloud, ” I wish her all the best!”

Meo nodded her head. And just like that, the sad girl got a phone call and was suddenly overcome with joy.

“Your wish has been granted.” Meo exclaimed.

Jeff knew in his heart of hearts, that today, he did a good thing by helping that poor, sad young lady.

Jeff finally arrived back home from mass, an hour later. He sat at his desk and started to grade a pile of test papers. The week was about to start, so Jeff had to be ready for work. He would go over all of his preparations for his students at school tomorrow, before retiring to bed.

When Jeff’s alarm went off, he was ready to greet his students, and to do more good with his next wish. He felt like there was this one student that needed their life to change. And with a wish, Jeff could help them have a better life then what was offered.

Jeff started his first class of the day teaching Hamlet. As the day progressed, he didn’t notice any particular student that he felt needed a wish. But then eventually, Jeff came across one student that he always felt bad for.

Eric was a bright kid but had problems at home. Jeff knew that if anyone needed a wish granted to change their life, it was Eric. He was that unfortunate, poor kid that never gets a break. Jeff rubbed the bottle. ‘The Wish Giver’ Meo quickly appeared.

Jeff said to Meo, “You see that kid over there?”

Meo replied, ” Yes, I do.”

“I wish for him to have the greatest life possible.” Jeff replied.

With a nod and a smile Meo told Jeff that his wish for Eric was granted. Jeff sat back and felt super good about himself.

Meo looked at Jeff and said, “If you are using all of your wishes on other people, why don’t you make a wish for me?”

Puzzled at first, Jeff then thought, Sure why not. Why shouldn’t he make a wish for the genie too.

He thought about how happy Meo looked doing good for people. Mayebe they could be a team, granting wishes and making people’s lives better. Jeff looked at Meo and said ,” I wish for your freedom and happiness!”

Meo cheerfully nodded her head and said, “Your wish has been granted.”

Meo smiled and said ,” Now, I am free to cause mischief and mayhem. After 3,000 years, I am now finally free to ruin lives once more. For ‘Meo the Mischievous’ is finally free!”

With an evil grin, Meo took one last look at Jeff and said,”I wish you could stop me.” And then she disappeared.

A feeling of guilt washed over Jeff. How could he have been so trusting? Now, in his quest to do good and delusions of granting wishes to change the world, he had set this terror free.

Jeff now felt like it was his life mission to stop ‘Meo the Mischievous.’ Maybe it was because of granting her that one wish, or maybe because Jeff knew that he was at fault. Jeff knew he had to stop Meo. Do whatever it would take. He had to do something.

To Be Continued……