by TK Wade
*****
Mother and Father were very happy from what Flopsy had told them. Even Lemmy seemed to understand the importance of what was happening to his sister. Mother had prepared an extra special helping of carrots for her daughter as the young rabbit walked into the dining room. “I just can’t believe it! My own daughter will be the Summer Princess of the jamboree! How exciting!”
Father agreed, “Flopsy, you have made this family proud! You’ll be the most beloved rabbit in Cottontail Pines.”
Flopsy slowly scooted into her chair. She was smiling, but it was not entirely sincere. The white rabbit was only able to nibble lightly on her carrots. She quietly answered, “It’s gonna be great. Everyone will see me and everything.”
The parents noticed Flopsy’s tone. Mother asked, “Flopsy, are you all right with this?”
The girl released a long sigh as she spun a carrot around her plate with a finger. “Mom, what do you think of my ears?”
Mother answered, “They are very pretty and cute. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. I just wonder what they would look like if they were shorter. Maybe if I had ‘up-ears’ like Goober, I would look a little nicer.”
Father chuckled, “Don’t be silly. There has never been anything wrong with being a ‘lop.’ Our whole family is full of them. It’s just how we look, sweety.”
Flopsy peered over at Lemmy who was holding his floppy ears up as an example of how it would look. She chuckled a little bit and gave her little brother a hug. “Oh, I guess I am just being silly. I better hurry up and finish breakfast. I’ll need to be at the rehearsals before too long.”
The mother asked, “Did you want us to go with you?”
Flopsy shook her head. “Goober said he was going to walk with me. I think Gumdrop is already at Oak Pass nagging everyone about how pretty my dress should look.”
Father chuckled. “Silly Gumdrop. Sometimes, I think she would go off the deep end if it wasn’t for you.”
“She’s just being friendly, Dad. Us girls like to brush each other’s fur sometimes.”
Mother nodded. “That’s true. I remember when I was young, there was a sweet squirrel named Melody that would brush my fur. I wonder where she is today. I’ll have to go look her up.” Father just rolled his eyes and picked up his news leaf. Flopsy finished all of her carrots and prepared to leave.