Mind Your Own Business
Written for the Toilet Dreams and Leaf Machines event on Morsmordre.
Newt shifted in his seat, uncomfortably eyeing the people in the room. A low murmur of conversation filled the air, laughter and music flitting from the stage, but it did nothing to ease his nerves.
"Tina," he began hesitantly. "You can tell me to mind my own business... but I saw something in that death potion back there. I saw you - singing - in the bathroom."
Her heart leapt into her throat, stalling as her mouth dropped open.
"No," she breathed, suddenly recalling a moment from her childhood.
.oOo.
Tina Goldstein, only four years old, smiled at her mother as she pulled up her pants. She was so proud of herself, because she was a big girl now. Learning to use the potty like big girls do.
"Wait, mommy, wait!" Tina cried, reaching for her mother and holding onto her wrist. "Let me sing my song."
Her mother let go of the handle and took a step back, giving her daughter some room.
Tina stood beside the toilet and began to sing.
"Poop, poop, poop, poop, I love you. Poop, poop, poop, poop, I'll miss you."
Her mother laughed, amused by her daughter's sweet little song. "Okay, say bye. We're going to flush now."
Tina waved good-bye to the poo as her mother flushed the toilet. "Bye-bye, poopy. I hope you'll be okay." Tears formed in the corners of her eyes, and the little girl began to cry, heartbroken over her dearly departed poo.
"Aww, teeny Tina and her giant poop," her mother said. Then, a minute later, "Uh-oh, second flush!"
.oOo.
"Tina?"
The witch had gone silent, staring at the opposite end of the room.
"T-Tina? Are you alright?"
Newt reached to touch her shoulder, when suddenly there was a flash of light.
"You were saying?" Tina queried, slipping her wand back in her purse.
"Uhh..." Newt drooled, his eyes crossing. "My - my creatures... Who's going to help me find my creatures?"
Tina smiled sweetly at him. "That one," she said, nodding towards the goblin in the corner. "Hush now! Here he comes."