200 word drabble: The Work of Sisters

Written for avatar_500 prompt #20, Spontaneous.

Summary: In families, everyone has a job.


The Work of Sisters

Ty Un arrayed her dolls on her bed and watched suspiciously as the maids cleaned the shelves and tables where they had been.  One of her dolls didn’t have any hands anymore.  One had a hole where her nose had been.  She straitened robes, and smoothed hair, and waited for the maids to leave.

And when they did, she put her dolls back in their places, walked out, and shut the door behind her. 

The maids didn’t go into Ty Lee’s rooms.  No one did anymore.  The dust hung thick on the floor, bed, and tables.

Ty Un was supposed to be the good daughter, the one who never bent, and never made trouble for her family.  The one who played with dolls and smiled, and didn’t drink.

They were all good daughters, her parents said, but it was Ty Un’s job.

She closed the door.  She slammed the shutters.  She raised her hands and the dust flew around her in waves and eddies.  It was Ty Un’s job plan her trouble so it was out of sight.  

Ty Lee was gone, and she wasn’t coming back until she wanted to.  So it was Ty Un’s job now to play.