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Bunny

Everyone froze when they saw. The women put their hands to their faces.  A little girl cried.  

Yesterday after breakfast, Shay screamed from the backyard.  Maria's muscles untensed as she recognized joy in the piercing cry.  She was safe. A smiling, bouncing angel appeared at the back door.
"What is it, Shay?" Her heart pounded from the jolt of adrenaline.
"Momma!" The girl suddenly giggling. "I found bunnies!"

She knew the newborns were alone in the world.  Maria had found what was left of their mother while mowing the lawn, and removed the ugly carcass to the woods. It was a world full of ugly truths, but Shayna wouldn't have to face them yet.  One day she'd know the truth, and she could deal with it how she had to.  

It was a bit hot for all the games Maria had planned, and the flock of six-year-old girls and boys were scattered about.  The bunnies, snug in old dish towels, had been returned to their box in Shayna's new room. Maria remembered the love she felt for her daughter the first time she held her, and the oath she whispered in her baby's ear.

"I'll never let him hurt you."

Shay and her friends drifted over to where one of the moms peered into the brush at the back of the yard.  The boys chased a ball and each other, shouting and laughing, oblivious. A familiar squeal was joined by a chorus of shrieking princesses.  "Momma!"

The mom tried to protect the animal with her body, but the little thing was scared and bolted. The mob descended, sparkling iridescent in the July sun.  Maria was close enough to hear the small snap that meant death for the infant. A gasp escaped her lips as the children stared in silent horror. It was something most of them would never forget.  There sat Shay, eyes shining, unable to speak. She had stumbled in the chase.  Her birthday dress was stained. 

The bunny convulsed for a moment, then lie still in the clover.  Maria looked over the girl's sobbing shoulders for where the mother rabbit lie discarded among the trees. She was glad she'd killed Rob.  Her daughter needed a mother.



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