Muddy whistled. She should have punched him. A fool with a big mouth, he thought. Based on his past experience, Hank should have been the one to find his bottle.
“I wish my father had taught me how to throw a punch instead of how to create a brief,” Margaret said to Hank’s back, then glanced at Muddy. Hank towered over Theodore. “Look, kid, I’ll make you a trade.”
“What kind of trade?”
Hank took off his cap and flipped it over. He pulled out a harmonica and held it up, turning it enticingly before the boy’s serious face. He dropped the harmonica in the crown of his cap.
Theodore watched his every move, his expression curious but cautious.
Hank held the cap out to Theodore. “My hat and harmonica for the genie and the bottle.”
Muddy stood quickly. “Wishes are nontransferable. Theodore is my master. He must make the wishes. Him and only him.”
Hank and Margaret were quietly thoughtful. Muddy watched them for a moment, then added, “And you can’t have Master Theodore make his three wishes and then one of you take the bottle. No one who knows I exist can become a future master.”
Hank swore under his breath and cast Muddy a look that was hot enough to cook him. Margaret gave a resigned sigh.
Muddy sat down on the rock, crossed his leg, and rested his chin in his hand again.
“Okay, kid, here’s the deal,” Hank continued. “We need to get off this island. You understand?” Theodore nodded.
“You have three wishes.”
Muddy raised one finger and stood again. “Excuse me. Master Theodore only has two wishes. He generously and unselfishly used one to get rid of the hookah.”
Hank’s look said exactly what he thought of Theodore’s wish.
Muddy sat down, crossed his leg, and began to swing it back and forth. His bell tingled like wind chimes.
Hank swung back around and gave his foot a pointed glare.
Muddy froze.
Hank looked down at Theodore and raised his thumb and forefinger. “Two wishes.”
Margaret made an odd snorting sound, loud enough for Hank to glare at her, too. He continued, raising his hand even higher, “You can wish us off the island and still have a wish left. You can use that wish for anything you want. Understand, kid?”
Theodore stared at the sand for a moment, then looked at him. “I tried to wish for what I wanted.”
“What do you mean you tried?” Margaret asked.
“Iwant my parents back, but Muddy can’t bring them back. It breaks the wish rules. He can only give wishes in this world.”
No one said anything for a long time.
Theodore looked at Hank, then at Margaret. “I don’t want anything else except to stay here.”
* * *
Margaret steppedin frontof Hank. “Let me handle this.” She stood near Theodore, who had his head bent. He was drawing designs in the sand with a bare foot. She knelt down so she was eye level with him. “Theodore.”
He looked up at her.
She placed her hands on his narrow shoulders. “I realize how very apprehensive you must be. But I am an impartial party, since I haven’t been associated with any orphanages. I can assure you that I will aggressively seek the best possible institution for you and your sisters. Now if you will just think about this from every angle, you can clearlydetermine the best possible course of action. It is a rare occasion that this method doesn’t work for me.” She smiled.
“We just have to introduce all the facts and your concerns, then weigh each option, decide which are the most significant points and why you are apprehensive. With some deliberation and good positive analytical thought, we can come to a mutually satisfying settlement that is in the best interests of all parties.”
He stared at her for a moment, then said, “I like parties, especially birthday parties.”
