Pig of the Litter

It wasn't until she got to the reptile house that Annabelle realized her bracelet was gone, the one from her grandmother with jade stones. She panicked. What else had she seen that day? Penguins? Zebras? Could it have slipped off her wrist while feeding the petting zoo animals?

She’d been so distracted since she walked past the rhino exhibit. That’s when she had passed him, Jeff her ex, on a date with Lauren. He didn’t see her, but she saw them. That must have been when she’d lost the bracelet, turning it around mindlessly thinking about the betrayal.

She looked down at her wrist, noticing the tan line where the bracelet had been was fading. When she looked up, she was disoriented. How far had she walked? Where was she? And what time was it?

Just then it occurred to her that her mother was probably concerned about her whereabouts. That evening was the annual Pig Picnic, a tradition her family had practiced for generations. She began to reminisce about last year's affair, and got lost in thought.

How had they done it? Annabelle and her mother had been given the worst odds last year to win the festival's marquee event: The Here Piggy Piggy pig portage contest, wherein pairs of participants took turns shuttling real live hogs from Point A to Point P.

Annabelle and her mother had worn their matching T-shirts, proudly stating their team name: Precious Piggy Pickers, in a bespoke font to help wow them the crowd. And win they did! They nabbed the chubby Louis from Maple Farms at the last second. The award was theirs!

The crowd began chanting ‘Precious Piggy Pickers’, ‘Precious Piggy Lickers’, Precious Tiggy Tickers’. And Annabelle realized they hadn’t won anything. They were being laughed at.

She was mortified. But she wasn’t going to let this rude crowd ruin the best day of the year. With a flourish she welcomed her piggy brethren onto the stage, and together they gave a regal bow. The audience, in awe, erupted into applause. She was indeed crowned piggy princess.