I've always been confused by when to use "was" as opposed to "were." In fact, I...

I've always been confused by when to use "was" as opposed to "were." In fact, I have received several (deeply confusing) letters from readers about how I have misused "was" and "were." Imagine my delight, then, when I came upon this exchange between a mother and a child in Edith Pearlman's Binocular Vision:

"I wish Milo was my aunt."
"Were."
"Were. Why?"
"Condition contrary to fact."

I get it! I finally get it!
Were is for wishes.
Was is for how it is.
And stories are a way of turni...