Time Turner
. . . fiction by Odyssea
. . .Three French Poulets. . .
Belle often wondered about the triplets who lived in town. She wondered about them often, mainly thinking about how nice it would be to have a sister, even one who was identical. Not that she minded being an only child, but it would be nice, at times, for there to be someone to talk to, to gossip with, commiserate with. She loved her father, but with her mother dead since she was very small, there was no one there to talk to about feminine things.
Then, of course, she noticed exactly how brainless the triplets were. In a vague, scientific way, she wondered whether one brain had been shared between the three of them. It would explain their complete disinterest in reading or learning, and their complete concentration on matters of men and fashion. Well, one man, actually, which is what inspired Belle to pity them.
The triplets were, she must admit to herself, much prettier than she was, and a bit bustier, as well. This attracted them much noticed from the men in their small town, though it didn�t actually seem to faze them much. For once, Belle envied the triplets. True, the women of the town glared when their husbands� eyes were drawn to the triplets� swaying forms, muttering �poulet� under their breath. When Belle had first moved to the village, she had no idea why the good women of the village were calling the girls chickens, though a quick discussion with the friendly bookseller had revealed to her the true implications of that term. Not that the girls ever seemed to do anything to deserve this term, reserving their affection for only one man.
Sadly, the one man they truly desired completely ignored them. Which was, to their eyes, a complete and utter travesty, but Belle would gladly pay for Gaston�s disinterest. In fact, she was willing to utterly give up any vestige of beauty if it would mean getting rid of Gaston�s lustful stares and the triplets� death glares.
Finally, Belle pitied the triplets. Sure, Gaston was a major annoyance, and she was going to convince him that seeking her hand in marriage was a dangerous, if not deadly (Belle being skilled in the use of a frying pan) undertaking. Too bad Gaston didn�t realize how well he and one (if not all) of the triplets would suit. It would save a lot of pain and broken bones.
In the end, past concern, past envy, past pity, all Belle carried about was getting out of her provincial town. In her mind, the triplets were welcome to it.
| |
|
|
|
|
|