Broken Boulder Like or Like Like

In her few moments alone, Eleuthera did several things. She huffed, then she puffed, then she squeezed her eyes really tight and contorted her vocal cords into a configuration that might produce crying and tears, but she received neither. It was not too long ago that she could cry on cue, and get whatever she wanted — whether it be attention, an adventure, or a teat in her mouth — but, as she aged, such abilities began to escape her. She was learning control over her reactions, however slight, and that frustrations didn’t automatically need wailing in order to be validated. Wouldn’t her mommas be proud? 

Still, the hurt of having to leave the mountain she loved was felt very keenly. So, when Ibis came up and situated herself right next to the lilac pup, Eleuthera was grateful. But how to express it to a pup who was similarly as sad?

Eleuthera narrowed her gaze somewhat, turning to look at her sister. “Yeah, well, at least you got one,” she stated with a meaning that was not her intention. Similar to her inability to understand why the entire family had been uprooted, Eleuthera did not understand [or even try to understand] her lack of a father. Terance’s presence in her siblings’ lives had never bothered her too much [because what was their was also hers, and vice versa] and, almost immediately, Leu regretted her vindictive words. It wasn’t what she felt, truly. The lilac girl bit her lip in a grimace. “Um, I mean,” she faltered. “It’s not so bad when you got two mommas, ‘stead of one,” she said and offered Ibis and bump on the shoulder. The other girl, who was hidden, remained unnoticed.