The slender young lady stepped from the carriage, adjusting her simple blue gown. She was a small female mouse with black fur, a peach face, and short black curls that escaped from under her pleated hat. At first glance, she appeared to be just a well-dressed citizen, but a closer look would reveal that her clothes were of very fine material, the kind only available to the upper classes.
"I'll meet y' again at five, then?" The young lady turned and smiled at her driver.
"Yes, Horace… and thank you again for going along with this. I really appreciate it." He grinned at her.
"Glad to do it, it's my job," He gestured to his head. "That's why I get the nice hat. Besides, who could do a better job of driving than a horse?" The girl giggled.
"Good point. I'll see you later." She turned and walked toward a bench in the small park, feeling a twinge of satisfaction that no one was paying any particular attention to her.
People really do put too much stock in appearances. Her thoughts were interrupted by an eager voice.
"Minnie! Minnie!" Smiling, Minnie turned to be met with an enthusiastic hug by a well-dressed female duck.
"Hi, Daisy! So, what was the big important news you wanted to tell me?"
Daisy pulled back with a sly smile and started looking her friend up and down.
"What is it with you and this anonymous thing anyway?"
Minnie sighed; it looked like her friend was going to drag it out.
"I don't like being fussed over just because my father…" Daisy laughed and nudged her playfully.
"I know, I know… don't worry, you look nice anyway. Sooo…" She shifted on her feet. "Would you like to hear the news?"
Minnie smiled.
"It would be nice after coming all this way."
Daisy took a deep, dramatic breath, then her face broke into a huge smile, and she pulled her left hand from behind her back, holding it up.
"I'm getting married!"
Minnie gasped and grabbed her friend's hand, examining the ring.
"Donald?"
Daisy laughed. "Of course! Just this morning!"
"How did he get something like this with that stingy uncle of his?" Minnie exclaimed. Daisy held out her hand and blushed happily.
"It was more than he could afford, I know."
Minnie cocked her head.
"How do you know?"
Daisy smirked.
"When I asked, he got all nervous and said not to tell him." She grabbed her friend's hands and pulled her to a bench.
"Anyway, we've got a lot to do now!" Both girls sat and began talking eagerly.
….
At that same time, in a lower class section of the city, another young mouse was making his way down the street, whistling "Turkey in the Straw" as he walked. He had the rough look of a low class worker and his clothes were very worn, from his cap to his shoes, but his step was energetic and his dark brown eyes cheerful, although if one looked closely, they could see the weariness hidden there.
Soon he reached his destination, a simple house near the workers' district. His face grew a little more solemn as he knocked on the door. A tired looking rabbit opened the door and smiled, his ears lifting.
"Hey, Mickey." The mouse grinned back and nodded.
"Hi, Oswald." Before they could keep talking, a large group of children, also rabbits, ran out of the house.
"Uncle Mickey!" they squealed as they mobbed him in a group hug. Mickey laughed as Oswald grinned. After a few moments, one of the smaller children looked up at the mouse with big eyes.
"Are y' here t' help Mama again?" she asked. Oswald's face fell noticeably, and Mickey saw it and cleared his throat.
"Yeah, I am," he said, patting the young one's head. "It'll be okay." Oswald cleared his throat too, putting on a cheerful face.
"Why don't all of you go see if your mother needs anything?"
"Yes, Daddy!" all the little bunnies chorused and scurried back in the house. Once they were out of earshot, Mickey turned to Oswald and handed him a pouch.
"Sorry it's not much. It was a rough day for tips."
Oswald gave him a grateful smile.
"It's great of you to do this at all, Mickey. I know things have been tight since you got laid off."
The mouse smiled and shook his head.
"It's no big deal." His face grew more serious. "So… how's Ortensia doing?" Oswald's ears drooped and he sighed.
"The doctor came by today and… he says that…" He paused, and then closed his eyes. "He says she'll need an operation if both her and the baby will make it." Mickey's face fell, and Oswald looked up at him with an anguished look.
"I don't know what to do," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "The baby's due in two months. I'm already pulling all the extra hours I can, and we're still almost a hundred short." Mickey smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Oswald. I'm getting a lot of odd jobs, and my boss says my old one could pick up again soon. I'm sure I can…"
"Mickey." Oswald's firm tone stopped him. "You're barely making ends meet already. I know you're giving us more than you can afford." The mouse just smiled again.
"It doesn't matter to me. Just take care of your problems and let me worry about mine."
The rabbit looked at him and shook his head with a sad smile. He knew as well as anyone that Mickey would throw caution to the wind to do the right thing.
"I suppose you'll just do it anyway."
Mickey grinned and gave his arm a playful punch.
"Course I will. Family comes first."
