Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

Run, Don't Fly

"Have you ever seen so many bunnies?" Kasey nudged her sister, speaking in a loud whisper. "I bet they're migrating." Her hat flopped over her cheek like a big tongue. Kasey was ten, and she had her own hat, and she knew big words like migrating.

Mimi was seven and a half, and she didn't know anything about migrating except that Uncle Tom's geese flew south every year. She finally mumbled, "But I don't think bunnies fly," even though she already knew Kasey was going to laugh at her. Mama always said it was okay to say the wrong thing, unless it was in Church where the other Mamas could hear.

Kasey laughed, sharp and high, "Stupid, of course they don't!" and then she clamped her mouth, horrified, as the rabbits scattered at the sound. The sea of long ears vanished. "Look what you did," she hissed, taking off her hat and hitting Mimi with the end. "Look what you did!"

"Girls! What are you doing outside?" Mama poked her head out of the door and gave them both The Look.

Kasey looked at Mimi, wide-eyed, and said bravely, "Mimi wanted to see th' bunnies."

Mimi felt her face go warm. It wasn't fair, she thought, that Kasey could say the wrong thing and nobody would tell her off. Kasey was ten and Mimi wanted to be ten too, but a nicer ten. A large brown hand rested on her shoulder and she looked up. "Mimi," Mama said tiredly, "Don't do that. They'll follow you inside, I've told you." She leaned against the doorway. "Let's lock the door before they get in."

Mimi walked inside slowly without looking at Kasey, wondering if the bunnies really were migrating, wondering if they would take her with them if she asked.

 

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