I watched from a distance, a two teenage boys, Sam and Daniel, sat on a bench near the gadget store. Their conversation caught my attention.
"I swear, dude, being a little kid again would be awesome," Daniel sighed, kicking his feet idly. "No school, no responsibilities—just let my mommy handle everything. Naps, snacks, no worries."
Sam rolled his eyes. "No way. Being a kid sucks. You can’t do anything on your own. Adults get to make their own rules. I’d rather just be one already."
A mischievous smile tugged at my lips. 'What a perfect opportunity." With a flick of my will, reality bent to my whim.
In an instant, Daniel’s form shimmered and shrank. His clothes melted away, replaced by a pastel pink dress, tiny white socks, and shiny Mary Jane shoes. His hair grew longer, cascading into soft curls, and his features softened into the round, cherubic face of a preschooler—now Danielle. She blinked in confusion, her small hands patting her new dress.
Beside her, Sam’s body stretched and curved, his jeans and hoodie transforming into a stylish blouse, fitted jeans, and heeled ankle boots. His shoulders narrowed, his jawline softened, and his hair lengthened into a sleek ponytail. Now Samantha, a woman in her mid-twenties, she gasped as a sudden rush of memories flooded her mind—memories of being Danielle’s mother.
Danielle looked up at Samantha with wide, innocent eyes. "Mama?" she asked, her voice high and sweet.
Samantha’s initial shock melted into instinctive warmth. "Oh, sweetheart," she cooed, bending down to adjust Danielle’s dress. "Did you get lost in your thoughts again?"
Danielle giggled, swinging her legs. "I dunno! But I like my dress!"
Samantha smiled, brushing a curl from Danielle’s face. "It’s very pretty, just like you." She straightened up, slinging a designer handbag over her shoulder. "Now, how about we do some shopping? Daddy said we could pick out a new toy for you if you’re good."
Danielle clapped her hands. "Yay! Can I get the pony with the sparkly hair?"
"Of course, baby." Samantha took her tiny hand, leading her toward the toy store. As they walked, Danielle skipped beside her, babbling about ponies and cookies, while Samantha nodded along, occasionally checking her phone—presumably for a text from her husband.
"Ooh, Mama, look!" Danielle pointed at a display of frilly dresses. "Can I try the pink one?"
Samantha chuckled. "You already have a closet full of dresses, Dani. But… maybe just one more."
Danielle beamed, and as they wandered deeper into the mall, their new dynamic settled comfortably around them—a mother and daughter, perfectly ordinary, with no memory of the lives they’d had before.