Robert's Mirror, Chapter 13, by J.M. Stevenson, www.jeannesbottle.com

Melissa Bland stood along the great wall gazing at the vacant space that a few years before housed the plaque of Jeanne Wishgiven. Whenever she needed inspiration she would roam to the memorial and stare at the square image remembering the genie who she felt indebted to.

Lemont Parker approached with his feather duster in hand as he worked from plaque to plaque brushing away particles of dust.

"What happened to the genie that was positioned here?" Melissa inquired with a curious tone.

Lemont gazed about with nervousness as he shrugged his shoulders not caring to acknowledge that there ever was such a memorial.

"Jeanne Wishgiven? You must remember her, the ghost conqueror?"

Lemont placed his index finger to his chin as if contemplating an answer. It was then Robert approached from behind, his attention focusing on Melissa and her obvious frustration.

"Can I help you?" Robert asked.

"A plaque is missing." Melissa answered pointing to the empty gap of space along the great wall.

"A plaque?" Robert questioned.

"It was dedicated to a genie that had actually granted me my final wish when I was in the human form."

"Really?" Robert asked with surprise.

"Yes. She went against a major rule to give me what I wanted. It wasn't until later that I realized she sacrificed her stature as team leader just to grant me my request."

"Who was she?" Robert asked puzzled.

"The greatest genie of our time...." Melissa responded just as Granny materialized wedging herself between the genies, interrupting the conversation.

"I have an important question for you Miss Bland." Granny said in a urgent voice of importance.

"....and I have several questions for you." Melissa answered with an impatient tone.

Robert gazed at the wall as if something about the missing square agitated him.

"Have I stood here before?" He wondered aloud.

"We've all been down this hall from time to time." Granny answered with a quick response leaving Robert on his own. With a snap, Granny carried Melissa and herself through the layer of dimension. They re-materialized in the janitor's closet not far from the great hall. The walls were nothing more than a filter of impenetrable cloud.

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Through the shroud of mist, Granny began a private discussion with Melissa.

Granny's determined whisper echoed throughout the great realm in the form of a breeze. With great reluctance, Missy agreed not to mention the name of Jeanne Wishgiven to Robert Wright if her only reason being for the good of their team and the ability of Mr. Wright to focus on his work. What she failed to mention to Granny was her sudden curiosity about Elizabeth Fenmore. She felt indebted to the famous genie, so much so that if there was any way possible, she needed to find her.

Melissa popped back into the great hall and stood pensive as Robert became mesmerized by the missing plaque.

"This means something to me." Robert whispered unsure of why the paint of eggshell white on a blank wall would move him in such an emotional way.

Melissa smiled at him with compassion as she asked about his final moments in the assignment they shared.

Pulling his attention back to the present, he told of how he led the dog to find Faith Ivanyo alive and well, of how the humans never realized he was present to granted the mother her wish.

Melissa in turn explained about the wish she awarded the grandmother. A wish that her daughter would settle down with a decent man and live a more stable life. "Neil was perfect for Caitlin and the children." Missy stated. "The grandmother approved wholeheartedly on the match, standing by her daughter and grandchildren forever more in the process."

"Those humans are funny creatures." Melissa added. "It took the baby wandering off like she did to pull that family together. Eloise was a very lonely old woman and would've remained that way had it not been for baby Faith."

"Stubborn." Robert added. "I must admit, I've come across many humans who carry that same particular trait."

"Well, the entire family was all the better for the runaway baby. If there ever was a happily ever after, it happened for them." Melissa announced.

Robert frowned as he gazed at the blank space. "I can't help but feel that happily ever after no longer exists." Melissa gazed at him with sympathy. They strolled from the great hall, one of which was saddened that the elders felt the necessity for Robert to forget, the other with nothing more than a need to remember.