A Rock named Gordon

 Jimmy heard the school bell ring. He jumped with excitement, and ran to the exit with the rest of his classmates. Finally school was over for the day, and he could get home to play with his pet rock. He hopped back and forth, when each foot touched the ground, he would say a number.

“1...2...3...4...” His mother drove into the parking lot. Little Jimmy finished hopping, and went to the car, counting the steps he took. Opening up the back door, he sat down inside.

“Hi honey, how was your day?” His mother asked.

“It was fine. Is Gordon at home?” Jimmy replied. His mother smiled at him and said, “yes he is,” before starting the car and driving home. Little Jimmy looked out the window at the houses going by.

I wonder what Gordon does to occupy himself when I'm not there, he thought. He then began to imagine what his pet would do during the school day. He thought of Gordon making a castle fit for a king, or a space station in the far depths of space. He smiled.

“So Jimmy, today's your birthday, have you thought where you want to go for dinner?” His mother asked as they turned the corner.

“How about Jack's? I like Jack's,” he replied, not taking his eyes away from the window. His mother looked at him.

“We've gone to Jack's every year now for three years, is there somewhere else you would like to go?”

“No Jack's is fine.”

“Alright sweetie.”

They pulled into the drive, and Jimmy rushed out of the car and ran into the house. He ran to his room with his mother yelling behind him, “don't run in the house!”

Upon entering his room, he heard his pet rock say from the nightstand, <Hi Jimmy.>

“Hi Gordon. How was your day?”

<It was fine. I've been stuck in this position for too long though. Can you move me?> Jimmy removed Gordon from the nightstand.

“Where do you want to go?”

<How about on the castle? I've been wanting to be king again.>

“Alright. Do you want me to be your knight? I could slay a dragon,” Jimmy asked as he placed Gordon on throne inside his castle.

“Jimmy!! Your dad's on the phone!” His mother's voice called from somewhere in the house. Jimmy looked at Gordon who said, <Go talk to him. I'll wait.> Jimmy smiled, and ran out of the room to talk on the phone. Gordon sat there, pondering what it would be like to have parents. If he could cry, he would have.

I want what he has so bad. Why can't I have a family again? Why does he have to have one, while I have to be a stone with a consciousness? Why, why, why!?

<I will have a family.>

About twenty minutes later, Jimmy returned with a big grin on his face.

“Guess what Gordon? My dad's coming home for my birthday!” He exclaimed with excitement.

<That's great! Where are we going to dinner?>

“Umm, mom says that you have to stay home. She says it looks strange when a kid brings a rock to the restaurant. Maybe you could talk to her, explain why?”

<I don't like to talk to anyone but you Jimmy. But you go ahead without me. I'll stay here. You have fun,> Gordon said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

“Alright. Well, I'll see you later Gordon. Umm try to have fun. Bye.”

<Goodbye.> Jimmy left, and Gordon felt lonely, as he always did when George was away. He began to do the only thing he ever did, think, but this time, he was plotting. He began to remember an old spell.

It was about seven when Jimmy and his parents came home. Gordon sat waiting, although, that's all he ever could do.

“Hi Gordon! Look what I got!” Jimmy exclaimed as he ran into his bedroom, holding a new video game system.

<That's great Jimmy! How was dinner?>

Jimmy thought for a second, then said, “It was great, I got a giant burger. I couldn't even finish it all. Dad brought it home for me to eat tomorrow.”

<Sounds delicious. What are we going to do now? Can we play?> Gordon inquired.

“Yeah for a few. But then I have to go to bed, I have school tomorrow.”

<Okay. How about we play Wizards?>

“Alright! Who do we fight?”

<The Dark Wizards. But first you need to know the spell to defeat them.> Jimmy's eyes widened with delight. <Here's how it goes. Si Corta salanda notora.>

Jimmy repeated it 'til he got it right.