you push me wide open
Abigail/Kayla, Leslie/Ann, Eros. 189 words. Spoilers for “Pawnee Rangers”
“Excuse me, Ms. Knope?”
Kayla turned her attention to Abigail, leaving her collage of encouraging words to dry on the craft table.
“Abby,” Ms. Knope grinned, her eyes bright. Kayla liked Ms. Knope, they all did.
Abigail exhaled heavily. “Ms. Knope, I’m wondering something.”
“Goddesses are encouraged to wonder, Abby. Do you have a question?”
“I’m wondering why Ms. Perkins got that,” she pointed across the room to where Ms. Perkins was sitting. She seemed a little surprised to be talked about. “badge. The one with the shooting star.”
Ms. Knope swallowed, made a face, then smiled. “Because Ms. Perkins is a shooting star!”
Kayla frowned, standing up next to Abigail, suddenly and out of necessity taking her hand. “But why didn’t anyone else get it?”
At Ms. Knope’s further hesitation, Abigail stepped forward, the light from the cabin window hitting her red hair like fire, and touched her palm. “It’s okay,” she said, and Kayla felt something lifting into place, “Ms. Perkins is special to you. It’s okay,” she said, reaching back and reclaiming Kayla’s hand while holding Ms. Knope’s and watching the way Ms. Perkins’ face changed.
