October 2024 Flash Lit 8:1 - On Tippy Toe

“She stretched herself up on tiptoe, and peeped over the edge of the mushroom, and her eyes immediately met those of a large blue caterpillar, that was sitting on the top with its arms folded, quietly smoking a long hookah, and taking not the smallest notice of her or of anything else.” Alice in Wonderland, Chapter 4

 

Allie had to get on her tiptoes to peer through the knothole into the semi-darkness of the shed.  She would have peeped through the window, except it was curtained with an old blue bath towel and a thick mixture of spiderwebs and dust.  Going in at the door was also impossible because Cat had locked it.  Allie wanted to know why.  She also often wanted to know who, when, where, and how, but right now why was top of mind.

 

Cat didn’t seem to be doing anything at all.  She just sat there, knees drawn up under her chin, arms holding everything together like the string on a roast.  The unenthusiastic lightbulb overhead made shadows under Cat’s eyes, or maybe it just lit her face so Allie could see the dark places.

 

Allie felt her chest tighten.  All the questions stopped mattering.  She just wanted Cat.  She kicked at the shed wall with her dirty Keds and pounded on it with her fists.  She didn’t notice the splinters in her hands or the aching in her toes.  “Cat!” she wailed.

 

In motion, Allie couldn’t see Cat anymore.  Crying, she couldn’t hear, either.  It was not until Cat’s arms encircled her and held her tightly that Allie knew she was there.  “It’s okay,” Cat said to her sister.  “I’m here.  I’ll take care of you.  Don’t worry.”