Three Times Three

The list of garage sales was short this weekend. Sabrina saw only two in walking distance to her new home. She went for the multifamily garage sale five blocks east. Since she had moved into her first own apartment, hunting for small pieces of furniture, kitchen necessities and other trinkets had become a hobby. It brought her reprieve from her intense schedule she kept up all week at the law school.

Knickknacks without much appeal made her almost turn away without looking closer. But then it caught her eye, a real old fashioned oil lamp. It was made from brass, spotty from age, but the intricate embossed designs were visible. Elegant swirls, ending in flowers, and twisted loops adorned the artifact.

“How much are you asking for this?”

The woman behind the folding table took it in her hands, inspected it slowly. “This was my father’s. I was never allowed to touch it. Are you willing to pay two bucks for it?”

Sabrina was blown away. “Only two dollars? Yes, thank you.”

At home she got to work with metal polish paste and some old rags. An hour of rubbing later, the lamp was shiny like new. The beautiful designs shone brilliantly and Sabrina proudly displayed it on the mantle.

As she set the table for her dinner, she heard an uncommon sound. Alerted and a bit scared, she grabbed her steak knife hard. “Who’s there?”

“Genie at your service, Miss Sabrina.” A man, dressed with a dark blue cloth around his middle and a turban hovered in front of the mantle.

“Who are you?”

“I am the genie from the lamp. You are the ninth person to call on me.”

The stories of one thousand and one night flooded Sabrina’s mind. “So I get three wishes?”

“Nine is three times three. The numbers’ magic makes it so that you get nine wishes.”

“Huh?”

“Listen carefully, Miss Sabrina. With the nine wishes, you have specific rules to follow. Making a wrong wish can have dire consequences. You must not wish for fame, fortune, health, immortality, or other prizes for yourself. You must unselfishly use your nine wishes for strangers, people who will not feel they have to repay you.”

“I can’t even get something for my parents?”

“No, try and you will suffer the consequences.”

“What might those be?”

“The great magic of the universe will reveal your fate to me, if you don’t follow the rules.”

“You know what, Mr. Genie. I don’t think I need those wishes that can get me in trouble. Why don’t you…”

“Silence, young and foolish Mistress! If you order me to do anything for your convenience, a consequence will appear!”

“OK. Now I have to watch what I say. Brilliant.” She frowned at the genie.

It wasn’t until the next day, when she dug through her school bag during lunch for her favorite novel that she noticed the lamp in it. “What are you doing here?” she whispered.

A small voice from far off whispered back, “How will you use your unselfish deeds when you keep me at home?”

“Alright, just… I will now stop talking to you, lamp.” Sabrina had caught herself at the last second before blurting out to the genie to shut up.

At that moment, Mike, the mentally disabled janitor, walked into the cafeteria. On his heels a group of jocks, taunting his slow progression. Even though he wasn't a student, they mocked the fact that he’d been at university for over ten years and still didn’t have a diploma. Infuriated, Sabrina hissed under her breath, “I wish Mike would turn around and put those idiots into their place.”

As if brought to a standstill by a brick wall, Mike stopped dead in his tracks. He turned and raised his arms, corded with strong muscles of daily hard labor, to his tormentors. In a booming voice nobody had ever heard on him he addressed the quartet of trouble makers. “If you guys make one more joke at my expense, I’m going to teach you what you should have learned a long time ago: manners and how to treat everybody with respect.”

Thunderstruck, everybody including Sabrina watched the surreal event. The jocks mumbled excuses and backed off. As soon as they had their backs turned Mike took his slumped-over posture back on. His face got pensive. He blinked his eyes and scratched his head. Then he resumed his trek through the cafeteria.

“One down, eight to go.” Sabrina patted her lamp through the bag’s cloth.

Joshua, tall, dark, and handsome, came over with his tray. “Is this spot available?”

“Yes, yes of course. I’m almost finished.”

Sitting down across from her, Joshua looked her deep into her eyes. “Stay, Sabrina. I wanted to ask you this for months. Would you go on a date with me?”

Fearful, Sabrina quickly looked around the large room, to see if some disaster was about to brew. Going out with Joshua was a dream come true. Now that it was happening, would the genie strike?

Petrified, she stayed silent. From the off she heard, “Say yes!”

“But I didn’t ask for this. I’m worried something bad might happen to me.”

Joshua’s face reflected his puzzlement. “Nothing bad will happen. I promise. I’ve got tickets for the Flogging Mollies. I heard you like them.”

“I’d love to go!” Sabrina said quickly.

The next Saturday night was a full success. Joshua and Sabrina danced for hours, and ended up kissing outside of her house.

“Why did you ask me out? I didn’t think you even knew I existed.”

“Sabrina, you caught my eye on your first day in college. When Mike stood up to the jocks, I just had to swallow my fears and ask you out.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“Me too.”

The genie awaited her with a big grin on his face.

“Why did you have Joshua ask me out?”

“Not me, synergy. Your good intentions for Mike resonated positively with the universe. The rewards for unselfish wishes come back multiplied.”

1000 words