ยฉ 2019 Literocat
"But mom, why do I have to go to Grandma's alone? The woods scare me."
"Oh Red, you make that trip four times a year and nothing has ever happened. This is Southern Transylvania; the winter weather is warm and nothing untoward has happened to anyone here in years. Why are you still so terrified?"
"I'm still afraid every time I enter her woods. The temperature drops; the path gets dank and it gets dark as dusk even first thing in the morning. My bad dreams got worse this past week. I'm cold and naked and big trees bow to me as if I am their queen or something. As they do, I grow roots and grow stronger and taller. I'm not going there alone again even if it is Christmas eve.
I mean it.
"
"Oh please Red, you're not a child any longer. Tomorrow is your special birthday, your twenty-first, you are an exceptional woman. We're always naked so why does that bother you? Be brave. You can take your pet sheep with you for courage, or at least as a distraction."
"Baa-baa? You think my black sheep can protect me? Why he . . . Ohhhh! You mean the wolves will eat him before me and I. . . ."
"It won't come to that. But, yes, if it does, well you know. Bye bye black sheep."
"Baa-baa hasn't been himself for several days. Hmm, not since that wolf scare. Mom! Have you even noticed my hair is green now? Yet, you're still calling me Red. I changed my color since I was tired of that name. You can call me Verdant, Grassy or even Leafy."
"No dear, I can't. I don't call you Red because of your long red hair." Mom paused, debating whether to share a huge secret or not. She chose to share just enough. "It's about time you knew. Your dad, expecting a boy, named you Redmond before I woke after giving birth. I hated it, so I just called you Red for short. Is that better?"
Red's shoulders drooped as did her chin. "That's one reason he's not here any longer. Now scoot! Get to his mama's house. You will spend the night there. She has an extra special gift for you this year and our usual holiday gift to cover our mortgage. We need that cash. Go get it before the old . . . umm, dear forgets that she wants to make up for her son's stupidity. Go before it really gets dark. Make sure you wear your hunter orange cape so those woodland pot heads don't shoot you."
There was so much more she wanted to tell her virgin daughter, but she knew Red had to learn the profound facts firsthand. Like how special her dad and grand parents are. Like the real reason she raised Red as a naturalist and they shared all the farm chores wearing nothing but a floppy hat and boots. Like learning that her paternal grandma is a naturalist too and that's why she always wore a full body cloak around Red, even when in bed. Would she understand and be grateful for that special sun block grease if she knew its true origins? Poor Henry and Gretchen.
"Red, dear, do drop off that third bushel of black sheep wool to mother Habbart and her little boy Bleu. They moved into our decades empty old house down the lane last month and we haven't welcomed them yet. You know, I think I'll invite them over for curds and whey while you're gone." Actually, she hoped to seduce Lil boy bleu and suck his whey her way.
Twenty-one years without a man makes one so horny!
"Have a safe trip, dear."
I do hope they treat her well and don't frighten her with the news they must share with her. As if sharing a birthday with Christmas hasn't been enough of a hardship for poor Redmond. Fingers crossed this only changes our lives for the better. I wish I could be with her for her sexual awakening.
Not feeling the least bit better, Red, umm Leafy(?), put on her blue gingham dress with six petticoats under it. Her matching blue shoes and white bobby socks completed her childlike self image and masked her womanly curves. She grabbed a basket of pork sliders and a flask of moon shine for granny and left before noon. "Come on Baa-baa. You're such a good pet to protect me. We have a long walk." Baa-baa hobbled along with a troubled gait.
"Thank you, Baa-baa for carrying that bushel of your own wool. It's just too much for me with this basket and silly shoes. I always wonder why mama makes me put on clothes to visit grandma. This is a pretty dress, but clothes are so clumsy. Well, I suppose one day of that 'civil modesty' isn't too much to bare, oops, I mean bear, you silly sheep. No noise now, shhhh. Maybe we can just drop the bushel off and leave before anyone notices."
"Oh, hello dear," said naked mother Habbart. "You must be Mrs. Hood's child. Isn't that a pretty dress?! I thought your mom said this was a naturalist farm. Why are you so dressed up?"
"Hello Mrs. Habbart. My pleasure to meet you. Yes, sorry about the clothes. Mom says Christmas is our one day a year of 'civil modesty,' whatever that is, and we must dress up, especially when we go visiting. I suppose that's why she didn't get dressed today. Christmas is also my birthday. I'm on my way to visit my granny in the deep woods so I can't stay. This bushel of black wool is for you and Bleu."
"Thank you so much. He needs it to make padding for his instruments and tools since we don't have clothes to protect him. Come in and meet him, even if just for a moment."
"I shouldn't. Baa-baa and I must get to the deep woods before dark. It can be dangerous to be in the woods after sunset. But I mustn't be rude. I can come in to say hello and come back after my trip."
"How sweet, dear. You call your black sheep Baa-baa? How interesting. He doesn't look well. Is he eating OK?"
Baa-baa growled then baaaaa'd in answer.
I'll show HER how well I eat. She'll have to wait for me to get back from eating granny and Red. Mother Habbart and Bleu are next on my menu. She does look tasty. Maybe I'll EAT her before I eat her. Hmm, Red first.
"You wait here for me, Baa-baa. I'll be right out. Ohh, hello. You must be little boy Bleu."
Oh my, he's not so little and he's getting . . . bigger.
Bleu noticed him staring at his swelling manhood and smiled.