My sincerest thanks to Denny Wheeler for editing this story.
"Coming!" cried Irma Goldstein. She dropped her spray wax and dust cloth on the end table, restrained some escaped white hair, and scurried to the door. It was the neighbors' daughter. "Tabytha!" she squealed. "Come in, my dear!"
Rose McGowan had wanted a daughter since she was five. On their fifth try, Rose and Fred had Tabytha, a sweet, innocent, wholesome twelve-year-old who always looked like she'd stepped out of a 1950s family sitcom.
"Good afternoon, Missus Goldstein," Tabytha said, smiling sweetly in her green apron over a crisp white blouse and red plaid skirt. "I was wondering if I might borrow a stick of butter."
"Of course you may." Irma waved Tabytha toward the kitchen. "Are your parents back?"
"No, ma'am. The hospital released Aunt Susan. She's really really better, so they'll be back Wednesday. I'm cleaning house so Mommy won't have to."
"That's wonderful. I suppose your brothers will be happy."
Tabytha sighed. "I really really think so, ma'am. It's such a bother being responsible for me."
Irma poked in the fridge, withdrew a stick, and gave it to Tabytha. "Here you go, dear. You are always so considerate. Are you making your delicious shortbread cookies for your brothers?"
"Thank you ever so much," Tabytha said, beaming a smile bright as sunshine. "No, ma'am. I made them cookies and frosted cupcakes this morning. That's why I'm out of butter now. Billy Lundberg is watching football with Sean. He brought beer, and the guys are really really drunk and can't drive to the store."
"Oh, my! And you're such a loving sister that you need butter for something else to make your brothers and their friend happy?"
"Yes, ma'am," Tabytha said, smiling angelically. "We're out of K-Y jelly, and the guys really really want to fuck me in the ass."
© Russell Hoisington 2007