John Doe

John, had a birthday and actually just wanted to celebrate his 18th birthday. He was sitting at the dining table and saw his father arguing with his stepmother. They were arguing quite a lot lately, and it was really getting on John's nerves. He couldn't hear it anymore. His father, who was hardly ever around anyway because he supervised his own construction sites at home and abroad, spent most of his time arguing with his new wife. John didn't even know what was bothering her. Sometimes it was about him, sometimes it was about appointments his father couldn't keep. But what bothered John the most was that it always had to happen over dinner, and he was forced to listen to it all, and then on his birthday.

"I wish people had to obey me whether they want to or not." thought John and sighed.

"Wish granted" he heard a voice in his head. John looked around but could only see his parents arguing.

"Oh damn ... Sandra! ... I don't have time for this right now ... I have to leave in a minute anyway!" his father cursed.

"There it is again. You have to leave again. We couldn't even eat in peace and on YOUR son's birthday. He is YOUR SON not mine, but I HAVE to take care of him" she countered.

"Yeah, because you had to start another fight! Besides, how do you think we can afford all this? I only make so much money, which, by the way, you are happy to spend because I take my work seriously and invest a lot of energy ..."

The argument grew louder and louder, the two argued and argued. His stepmother continued to harp on John about how useless he was and what a lazy dog he was. John didn't like that at all, and it was getting to be too much for him.

"Now shut up," John muttered, annoyed. The two immediately fell silent and looked at him, dumbfounded. It took John a moment to realize that the two were quiet and looked at them both in turn.

"Are you all right?" he asked, uncertain. The two shook their heads and looked at him angrily.

"Why aren't you guys saying anything?", John asked the two.

His father took out his cell phone, started typing, and held it up to his face

"Because you told us to be quiet" it said on the screen.

John read it over a few more times.

"I've been quiet because I mumbled it?" he asked incredulously, and they both nodded.

"Seriously?" The two nodded again.

"Why?"

His father started typing again.

"Because everyone has to obey you."

John was flabbergasted when he read that.

"Everyone has to obey me no matter what?" he asked the two.

Again a nod from the two. John couldn't believe it, could it really be, or was this some prank his parents came up with for his birthday.