The Wish

Jessie once made an offhand wish about her neighbour's grandson, and her parents took it as permission to have a son they never intended to raise. From his homework to his first car to his first house, every burden fell on her, and when she could not buy him a house, her brother killed her. She wakes back on the day she admired the neighbour's child, with her parents' eyes already gleaming.

This time Jessie refuses the script. When her mother and Mrs. Gable push her to coo over the little boy, she wishes aloud for a mansion, a yacht, a scholarship and ten billion dollars instead. Her parents drop the pretence: a son is their security, their respect, and Jessie's duty as an older sister. Her mother is already four months pregnant.

Jessie will not be the free nanny and ATM for their perfect family of three. She records their confession and warns the unborn child that his life is their choice, not hers.