a wish for some answers

They continued to search the house that evening but couldn't find anything to shed more light on their relationship. There was several thumbdrives in the desk with his computer, but they were all encrypted, locked with a password that Tom couldn't figure it out after a few tries. Putting that aside they also searched Sarah's room again. Her phone and laptop had nothing revelatory on them, just more pics of the two of them in Vegas and a few of them from the last month. No pictures of them together from before the wedding and no mention of Tom on her social media.

From what they could piece together, they had gone to Las Vegas over Sarah's fall break to marry and have a short honeymoon. It looked like they'd changed her license to reflect their new status, but everything from school still showed her as 'Sarah Hoffman.' "Maybe we decided there was no point changing school records?" Sarah suggested.

Tom shook his head. "Maybe... but from what we saw on the videos and your instagram page, I'm fairly certain your friends don't know we're married either. So I think we've at least kept it somewhat secret."

Sarah begin to show her frustration. Her voice rose: "Damn it! This life looks really interesting but I don't want to spend the whole time solving a mystery. Plus how can we possibly pretend to be this 'Tom and Sarah' if we don't even know who they really are."

"What do you suggest then?' Tom asked, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her to him.

Sarah expression grew thoughtful. "I think you need to wish me to have memories of this life. As well as my own - I don't want to forget who I really am. If I understand what's going on and know everything, then I can fill you in."

Tom considered her idea for a few minutes before finally agreeing. "I can't think of a better way," he admitted, "so let's try it."

He took the coin and made the wish.

Tom couldn't see any change but Sarah immediately gasped. "Okay...that's a weird rush," she choked out. "Lot's of memories - a whole different life."

He was quiet, thinking Sarah needed some time to process the wish's effects.

Before long, Sarah looked back at him, her eyes meeting his. "Well, I can honestly say this Sarah is really into you. I mean major crush, first love kind of thing." She broke off to consider her words before continuing. "I hate to tell you this Tom, but you ... well, THIS version of you ... IS a creep. She, I mean the other me can't see it. But from my perspective with 22 years of experience more than her, I can say that you've totally been manipulating and gaslighting her - basically grooming her. I mean you've got her completely wrapped around your finger."

She glared. "You're a real asshole!"

"Wait, what?" Tom interjected, his voice rising. "That's not me! You know me, Sarah. I'm not like that. I love you and would never do anything to hurt you."

Her face immediately softened into a chagrined expression. "Oh, I'm sorry. I...I didn't mean it. I know you love me," she pleaded.

Tom stared at her in confusion and her eyes widened in realization. "Wow...you've practically conditioned this woman," she concluded.

"Okay, this is enough. I'm changing everything back," Tom announced, reaching for the coin.

Sarah put her hand on his, gently blocking him. "Wait!" she said. "This is weird...very weird. But I'm kinda turned on by the whole thing."

"Huh?" Tom's jaw dropped.

"Sweetie, this is why we agreed to use the coin. To play around and experiment. To try something we never would in real life," she argued, now running her fingers across his thigh. "Let's not go back. Not yet anyway."