Anna glowered and her eyes became angry. The same kind of angry Karyn saw before she went after Jon.
"I wish that you'd all not attack me and let me say what I want to say."
"You bitch," said Karyn, but she couldn't hurt Anna or even try to drown her out.
"Listen," said Anna. "I just did you a favor with that wish. I spoke it. I told you I set it up so I can make wishes mentally. But if I did, you wouldn't hear the wish. Not only would you leave me alone--it would become part of reality that you'd leave me alone. You'd think it was your own idea. But I don't want to make you think it's your own idea--I don't want to control anyone's mind. It's bad enough I have to control your actions just to keep you from beating me up. I'm not going to control your thoughts too."
Anna continued, "First order of business. I wish we'd have some answers, in the form of sound to this room, when I ask the stone questions. Now tell me, would Carl have stayed with me if Cheryl hadn't returned?"
"Yes," said a voice from the air.
Karyn tried to yell something, but as soon as she did her voice faltered and she coughed. Still angry, she had to raise her hand.
"Go ahead," said Anna. "You can talk if I'm not talking."
Suddenly Karyn found herself able to speak. "That doesn't matter," she said. "That answer doesn't mean it's mind control. It means he'd leave you on his own."
"Tell me," said Anna. "Did Jon's wish to get Cheryl and Carl back together affect Carl's mind?"
"Yes," said the voice.
"I would have gotten back with her anyway!" said Carl.
"Ask if it affected him in some way that matters," said Karyn.
"All right," said Anna. "Did it affect him in any way that matters... that would change whether or not he dumps me?"
The stone's voice rung out again. "Impossible to determine, since if this stone was not used, Carl would be able to choose. I cannot predict the results of a free choice."
"Looks like mind control to me," said Anna. "Instead of being able to choose, it forced a decision on him."
"It's not!" exclaimed Karyn. "It's the choice he would have made anyway when Mom comes back! I know he would have! Dad never even filed for divorce, and he still has his ring!"
"What?" said Anna. "You're serious? I wish I knew if you meant that... I see."
"What's so awful about that?" said Karyn.
"Put yourself in my place," said Anna. "Your Dad was going out with me... and he forgot to tell me that he's still married. Go ahead, all of you, explain away that one."
