October flash #2 - "Best Trick" - Part 1 of 2

Another double-length flash tale! Here's to October and all the AR fun it brings. I hope you love 'Best Trick' - let me know if you do :)

I

I was mad when it happened. I was mad with Daddy.

Now, I’m glad. I’m free to be whatever I want to be. Like a fuzzy white bunny! A fuzzy white bunny who loves cuddles and sweet things.

No, I’m not a bunny for real, that’s just pretend. I’m a bunny for trick or treating, I got a costume and everything and I been practicing jumping up and down and twitching my nose – Daddy says that if I do all that, maybe when folks open the door they’ll think I’m a real bunny! He says that getting into character is the whole ‘trick’ in treat-or-treating. I don’t know about that, but I do reckon they’ll give me more candy.

My name is Laura Elizabeth Dobbs and I’m six years old, I go to Barton Creek Elementary School and I’m in first grade and my teacher is Miss Stephanie.

Two weeks ago, none of that was true! But since I visited with Daddy, I got little, and Daddy says it’s perfect timing because he wanted his little pumpkin – that’s me – back and it’s Halloween and there’s lots of pumpkins.

When my brother came home to visit, he didn’t know that Daddy made me little, not until he saw me get off the school bus.

I got scared when Eric and Daddy were yelling at each other but then they saw my face and they both calmed down. Daddy started to make coffee and then sent me to my room to change out of my school clothes, but really it was so he could have a grown-up talk with Eric.

I got half-way up the stairs and then I stopped so I could listen.

“I’m fixing to call social services, the cops…I’ll call channel 17 news. You had no right to do this.”

“Son, she’s happy. You remember how that felt? Being happy?”

“You brainwashed her, Dad! You shrunk her down and did something to her head! Whatever happens, I’m not leaving her here with you.”

Eric wants to take me home? I had to cover my mouth and giggle because the idea of Eric looking after me is silly. He’s my little brother, not my big one! Even though now he looks all grown-up of course.

“Little pitchers have big ears,” Daddy said, and I knew he was saying that because he heard me laugh, so I ran up the rest of the stairs and into my room. I took off my school jumper and everything and then I put on my fuzzy bunny costume even though it ain’t Halloween until Saturday. I went half-way down the stairs and Daddy and Eric were still talking so I sat on the stairs so I could listen.

When I heard them talk, I was glad because they weren’t yelling no more, they didn’t even sound angry.

“Feeling better?”

“Uh…yeah. Could you…could we open a window or something? I’m kinda warm.”

“You’re gonna be just fine in a second, Eric. ‘Cause you’re gonna be my good boy. You’re my good boy, aren’t ya.”

“Uh…yessir.”

I go back into the kitchen and Eric’s at the kitchen table, looking all sleepy, which is funny, ‘cause he just had a mug of Daddy’s coffee, and Daddy likes his coffee real strong. Daddy calls it ‘strong enough to walk.’

“There’s my bunny,” says Daddy and I jump up and down and then he picks me up for a cuddle. “Mmm,” Daddy says, and he pats my rear. “That’s my good fuzzy bunny.”

I giggle and then I look at Eric and I giggle some more.

“Daddy, Eric fell asleep!”

“Brother’s worn out,” Daddy said. “Too much city living. He’ll be just fine once he gets some rest.”

I nodded my bunny ears flopping up and down. “Is Eric gonna get smaller, Daddy?”

Daddy nodded. “He’s gonna need his big sister. You ready to be a big girl?”

I nodded again. “Is Eric gonna go to Barton Creek?” I picture both of us waiting for the school bus.

Daddy shook his head. “First Foundations.”

“Oh.” That’s the preschool I used to go to. I looked at Eric, sitting at the table with his head down, using his hands like a pillow. He must have gone to sleep real quick. I tried to picture him, little enough to go to preschool. The thought of being so little makes me feel nervous.

I look back at Daddy. “I’m in first grade.”

Daddy laughed. “It’s okay, Laura I won’t forget. You’re a big girl.” He grinned at me. “Not too big for tickles, though.” And he tickled my sides until I near peed myself.

I didn’t, though. I’m not a baby.

Daddy said I could wait on the porch while he got Eric ready. I sat on the rocker and I watched the cars and trucks go past. I waved but mostly they didn’t wave back, on account of they didn’t see me. Or maybe they saw me but thought I was just a trick. After all, whoever heard of a waving bunny?

The second part of this special flash tale will post tomorrow!