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When daddy comes home, you always start a fight

So the neighbors can dance in the police disco lights

(Arcade Fire)

---

I saw the little mink leaning against a tree, running a hand through his hair nervously as I arrived in Haverford Park a little bit after our scheduled meeting time. He grinned up at me as I kneeled down.

"Hey there," I smiled. "Sorry I'm late,"

Ciaran shrugged, walking over to the bike he had propped against a nearby drinking fountain. "No worries. The drive-in is only a couple blocks away,"

I walked slowly next to the sidewalk as Ciaran peddled away, trying to keep pace with me. While I'd briefly entertained the thought of offering to carry him, I didn't want to run the risk of injuring Ciaran on a first date. No. This wasn't a date. What the fuck was I thinking? Not a date. Just a chance to get to know Ciaran better. Hang out.

The Landmark was a pretty nice theatre (for a drive-in, at least), and I really enjoyed the film as well (a Cliff MacKay action flick--I had made a solemn vow to marry that raccoon several years ago, and I wasn't about to let being several orders of magnitude larger than him get in the way of that). I had to sit way in the back so as to not block anyone's field of view and couldn't steal any of Ciaran's popcorn, but that didn't stop me from really having a great time.

As we passed the park on the way back home, Ciaran came to a halt. He looked up at me, getting off his bike propping it against a tree.

"I think we should go our separate ways from here," he said.

"It's really no trouble for me to walk you home," I offered. "No hassle at all,"

Taking a leaf from my book, Ciaran was doing his best to avoid looking at me--no small task, given how large I was.

"I'd hate to inconvenience you," he mumbled. "Besides... it's just... my parents... I don't think they'd..."

The poor mink was floundering. I dropped gently to my knees, trying not to create too much of an impact.

"Hey, guy. No worries," I murmured, smiling sympathetically. "I had a great time. I liked hanging out,"

Ciaran looked relieved. "I'm just really glad you could come. It's been awhile since I've just, you know, spent time with ,"

"Me too," I replied. "Thanks for inviting me to that. I've had a pretty hard time meeting folks since... this," I gestured at myself.

"It was fun," Ciaran replied. "Hey--would you want to hang out again sometime soon?"

"I'd like that," I said, smiling. I shifted slightly. "I should probably get going. Parents burning the midnight oil, most likely,"

The mink looked up at me for a moment, seeming conflicted about something. Then he nodded and smiled before turning on his heels and cutting through the park towards his house. Getting back to my feet, I started the final leg of the trip home. I was grinning uncontrollably. Hell, I even felt like whistling a bit.

"Oi! Keep it down up there!" some irritable person bellowed from a house as I passed.

Oops, totally didn't mean to kick that topiary off its plot. Damn. A bit hard to see those sorts of things in the dark, asshole. If a gal wants to whistle while she walks, let her whistle.

*****

I breathed a sigh of relief as I rounded my house to the backyard. My bedroom window was still open a crack; I wouldn't have to risk sneaking in through the front door. Sliding the pane up, I was excruciatingly aware of each and every squeak and squeal from the glass. A steady stream of booze and shitty food had dulled many of Dad's senses, but his hearing remained terrifyingly acute. If he caught me violating curfew, I was a goner.

With the window open just enough to accommodate me, I squeezed through and slipped into bed, peeling off my clothes as I went. Nestled under the covers, I slowly closed my eyes. My bed felt secure. I didn't know if I could say I felt 'safe' anywhere in the house, but my bed was a warm, soft island of security in the midst of a roiling sea of chaos. Being there gave me a chance to think about my day, plan for the future... whatever struck my fancy.

As I tried to drift off to sleep, Tabitha consumed my every thought. Granted, given her gigantic proportions, it wasn't that hard to fill up every last nook and cranny of my brain. So big. Good gods. It would have been terrifying to be around anyone else if they were so enormous.

To be perfectly honest, even Tabitha still scared me maybe just a little bit. I always had to be careful around her unless I wanted to get accidentally squished underfoot. But she was so nice. Tabitha had an odd manner: that was for sure. But it was an odd manner that nevertheless managed to be somehow endearing. And the ferretess had the cutest smile...

Gods, was this infatuation? I couldn't. She was massive--there was no way dating could work like that, right? And the feeling couldn't possibly be mutual. Besides. Mom and Dad would never approve of me dating a girl who was larger than our house. Life was just easier if I kept my parents 'happy'. Not that 'happy' was a term that could ever really apply to them.

Doing my best to cast my mind elsewhere, I willed myself to sleep, floating away into sleep as I felt enveloped by the warmth of my bed.

*****

The weeks that followed were actually pretty nice. You could even say that they were really great. I was doing well in school for the first time in months. Hell, I even aced my last Chem oral (Given my stature, I had to take all of my exams orally--it would take a hell of a lot of 8 ½ x 11 papers taped together for me to answer anything in writing, after all.).

My social life was beginning to look like a real social life again, or at least some semblance of one. It was completely obvious that I would never be the most popular girl in school, or even liked by most of my classmates. The whispers still followed me everywhere, and I still had to deal with the whole giantess stigma. But I had Ciaran to talk with at lunch and sit through classes with. He was only one person in a student body of nearly two thousand, but he made a difference. The little guy even talked me down from an altercation or two when things got rough with the others. Rougher than usual, that is.

For his supposed lack of social graces, Ciaran turned out to be quite the fount of activity ideas. Weekends soon came to be the highlight of my week (granted, that's probably something of a universal truth), as that little mink always had something fun up his sleeve.

He showed me nice outdoor spaces, we had some fun picnics, and one time we even went to an outdoor concert. Ciaran had even gone through all the trouble of working with the concert coordinators to make sure that they knew I'd be there and that an area was cordoned off for me to hang out. It wasn't exactly normal for a 90-foot ferretess to just show up. Didn't want to cause a panic or something.

After everything that he'd done for me, I wanted to do something to return the favor. Besides, my parents had been pestering to meet this mysterious mink boy who had been spiriting their daughter away on such a regular basis.

"You doing anything tonight?" I asked Ciaran one Friday afternoon at lunch.

The mink shook his head. "Nope. Just hanging out around the house, I guess,"

I grinned. "Great! Would you like to come over to my place for dinner? Mom's gonna be making her coconut curry, which is absolutely to die for. And my parents are dying to meet you,"

"They are?" Ciaran blinked in confusion.

"Absolutely. They're so weird," I snorted. "So, you in?"

Ciaran nodded fervently. "When should I get there?"

*****

Finding Tabitha's house was probably the easiest thing I'd done in weeks. There was only one house in town with a ten-story high one-story structure in its backyard, after all. As I approached the front door, I brushed aside the lingering aftertaste of Mom accusing me of hating her cooking as I'd left and put on a happy face for Tabitha's parents.

A svelte, nicely dressed ferretess answered the doorbell. She had the warmest, most motherly smile I'd ever seen.

"Ciaran, I presume?" she asked, accepting the salad I offered.

"Yeah," I replied.

"Nice to meet you," Mama Crane smiled. "Come right this way,"

Tabitha (or rather her parents, I supposed) had a nice house. It wasn't excessively large or fancy or anything, but it felt cozy and inviting. I even briefly debated taking photos to show Mom.

Dinner was set up in the backyard. The kitchen table had been dragged out onto the lawn, situated on a low wooden platform. A burly wolverine in shirtsleeves was setting out utensils and checking on the steaming pot of curry while Tabitha looked on, sitting cross-legged next to the whole set-up. I'd grown accustomed to seeing Tabitha at school, but seeing her dwarfing everything around in this new domestic setting took me aback for a moment. I mean, I supposed she was a giantess 24/7, not just during class. She looked so cute dressed in her pink-and-cream polo and blue jeans. Given her proportions, she didn't have that diverse a wardrobe, but that outfit was my personal favorite of hers.

Tabitha grinned broadly when she noticed me. "Glad you could make it!"

The wolverine strode over to me, giving me a firm handshake. "Good to meet you, Ciaran. Nice to finally meet the person responsible for my daughter's sudden interest in behaving like a normal teenager again,"

"Uh, thanks," I laughed softly as I sat down at the table.

Dinner was exquisite. Tabitha hadn't exaggerated the deliciousness of her mother's curry in the slightest, and everything else was just as mouth-watering.

"This salad is really good, Ciaran," Tabitha's mother commented as I bit into another piece of naan. "Did your mom make it?"

"I did, actually. Thanks, Mrs. Crane," I replied.

"Please. It says 'Asha' on my birth certificate," the ferretess smiled.

"And I'm Ed," the wolverine chipped in. "But you're also welcome to call me Your Worship or Sir. I'm fine with those, too,"

Tabitha rolled her eyes, tossing naan by the dozen into her mouth. "Good gods, Dad. Calm it down,"

"Do you always do this? For dinner, I mean?" I asked, gesturing at the setup.

"Well, there isn't always delicious food," Tabitha said, licking her fingers. "In fact, I'd even go so far as to say sometimes it's pretty terrible. When Dad's in charge of it, at least,"

"I'll have you know that barbecue we had last weekend was _very_good by some accounts. And I'll also have you know it took me the better part of the afternoon to grill up enough food for you, Tab," Ed protested.

"Tell that to the fire department," Tabitha snorted in reply.

"More help for me," Ed chuckled. "We ought to hire a bunch of fucking line cooks to prep your meals,"

"Better than eating innocent townsfolk," grinned maliciously.

Asha rolled her eyes. "We built this platform as soon as Tabitha's room was completed," she said, leaning over to me. "Ed and I wanted her to still feel like a part of the family, despite... the circumstances,"

"Unless it's raining," the wolverine corrected, scooping up some more curry. "Then it's just every man for himself. Tab can eat on her own,"

"Good thing we don't live in Saaduuts, then. I'd never see you guys. Pours every damn day over there, from what I hear," Tabitha laughed. "But I mostly only stick around for dinners because I don't have to do anyone's dishes,"

I blinked, nodding in numb understanding. I hadn't had a family dinner in longer than I could remember. What can I say? We were more of a 'go eat your TV dinner in your room before I wring your fucking neck' sort of family. There wasn't even a TV aspect to the TV dinner. A damn shame, if you asked me.

"So, how long have you lived here? I think we owe you big-time for getting Tab acquainted and showing her around town," Asha said, interrupting my melancholy reverie.

"I've lived here basically my whole life," I responded. "My parents moved here when I was 3 or 4, I think. So I'm pretty familiar with the area, I guess. Not that there's all that much going on in Winthrop,"

"Plan on getting out of the small town after high school? College in the big city?" Ed asked.

There was no way my parents would be able to afford college, and even less of a chance they would co-sign on a loan for me. I'd recently applied to College-on-the-Hill over in Saaduuts, but it was mostly just to get my high school counselor to give me a break and stop nagging me.

"Yeah, maybe," I shrugged. "Hard to think of life after high school, though. Take it as it comes, I guess,"

"And what do your folks do?" Asha asked, passing me the bowl of rice.

This time, I had a prepared answer ready. I was used to fielding that question.

"Dad works in construction. I think he even worked on Tab's house thingy," I gestured over at the large structure behind us.

He hadn't. Hell, he hadn't worked on a project in at least a year and a half. Ever since he'd had an issue with a herniated disc, Dad had been placed on disability leave. Well, the condition had been dealt with, but he remained "injured," preferring to collect a check than to actually do some work.

"Tell your dad thanks, then. You would not believe the amount of whining that one did when she had to sleep outside in the rain. What a baby," Ed rolled his eyes theatrically.

I grinned slightly as I saw Tabitha mimed smashing her father into the ground over his shoulder.

"You should've invited Ciaran's whole family," Asha commented to Tabitha. "Now we're going to have to go through this all over again to meet them,"

"The horror," Tabitha gasped dramatically.

The trio laughed and I suddenly felt overwhelmed. My head was spinning. Tabitha's parents were so nice and kind... so normal. Their daughter could carry them around in her pockets if she liked, but they still cared for_her and cared _about her. And they thought my parents were the same way. It was all...

"I'm sorry, but where is your restroom?" I asked.

"Second door on the left," Ed gestured toward the sliding glass door at the back of the house.

Nodding my thanks, I pushed back from the table and headed into the home. I found myself walking past the bathroom and straight out the front door. Sitting on the stoop, I hugged my knees to my chest, staring out across the front lawn.

"What's up?"

I looked up in shock to see Tabitha crouched next to me, a look of gentle concern on her face. For being so enormous, she could move really quietly when she wanted. She was sitting on her haunches, hand resting on the rooftop.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just getting fresh air," I sighed.

"The air is a lot nicer in the front yard," the ferretess commented sardonically. Her expression softened and she sat down on the lawn next to me. "But really. Is everything okay? Ciaran... you're the best friend I've ever had. I really mean that. And I hope that I've been a good friend to you. If there's anything you want to talk about--anything--I'm here for you. Honest,"

Massaging my temples, I stared down at the pavement between my feet. I wanted to tell Tabitha everything--how much I hated every moment I spent at my house, how scared I was of Dad, how much I despised Mom, how glad I was that she had come into my life--but my body just responded by crying. I buried my face in my hands, my entire body shaking violently.

"Ciaran..." Tabitha murmured. "I'm sorry,"

Regaining a modicum of self-control, I gasped for air, wiping my eyes with my sleeve. I looked up at the concerned ferretess, unsure of what to say.

"I wish my family was more like yours," I mumbled at length. "My dad scares me sometimes. A lot of the time. And it's just..."

Tabitha frowned as I trailed off again. "You shouldn't have to deal with that. It's not fair. We should talk to someone about it. Maybe my folks could talk with your parents. Or have you seen--"

I jumped to my feet in a panic. "No! No, I can't do that. I'm sorry. Do you know how they'd react? They'd _kill_me!"

Tabitha's brow furrowed even further. "We really should talk to someone. There are resources for this sort of thing, I'm sure. Please. Let me help you fix it,"

"Let me take care of it. I want to do it myself. Take charge for once," I said.

I had no intent of actually going through with it--been there, tried that. But I figured it would be the kind of thing that would get Tabitha to back off. The ferretess nodded, getting to her feet, and I knew it had worked.

"Let's get back to dinner. I think we'll be just in time for dessert," Tabitha smiled.

I followed after Tabitha around the back of the house and back to the table. The apple pie was delicious, and I went through the motions of making conversation and finishing things up.

Politely refusing Asha's offer for a ride home, I made my way back across town, hands shoved into pockets. Much as I'd enjoyed spending more time with Tabitha and meeting her parents, it had further nurtured the seeds of resentment in my breast. But there they would remain--I'd never actually act on it. Are you kidding me? No way I could do that.

But I could get back at them. They couldn't fucking control every last second of my life. I could exact my passive aggressive revenge on them. And I think I knew just how to do it.

*****

Staring at myself in the reflection of the repurposed skyscraper windowpane that served as my mirror, I shook my head. How had I let Ciaran talk me into this? I was dressed utterly ridiculously in a clingy, revealing silk blouse that to this day I still had no idea how my parents had been remotely okay with me getting. Brushing a stray thread off the knee of my jeans, I adjusted my top one last time, running my fingers through my hair before heading out the door.

Hands shoved into pockets, I strode through the brisk night towards my usual meeting place with Ciaran at Haverford Park. For once in my life, I was actually early, beating even the always unreasonably punctual mink to the park. Sitting with my back against one of the sturdier trees, I listened for the familiar sound of Ciaran wheeling his bike up next to me.

My ears perked up and I grinned down at Ciaran as he arrived, coming to a dead halt a dozen feet or so away from me. He was slightly goggle-eyed.

"Holy wow. You look amazing," he gaped.

I giggled. "You look pretty good yourself. Let's get going! You do know where it is we're supposed to be going, right?"

"Of course I do!" Ciaran insisted. "Just follow me. It's basically just a few miles north of town right off the road. Can't miss it,"

Ciaran was a pretty fast pedaler, especially with almost no traffic on the street, but I still had to walk very slowly to keep pace with him. I made a few more attempts at getting any details from the mink, but his lips were sealed. All I knew was that it was supposed to be some sort of "fun event." Whatever that meant.

It didn't appear to be exactly the most legal event, either. Ciaran had provided no address for the "fun event," but I quickly learned that it probably didn't even have one to begin with. No, it fell more along the lines of 'warehouse in the middle of the fucking woods'.

"Ciaran, how did you find this?" I asked, looking around at the spectacle.

"Oh, I overheard something at lunch the other day. Figured it would be interesting to change things up," Ciaran shrugged.

"You sure you want to do this?" I asked as we approached the building.

On second thought, I wasn't too sure if the term 'building' could be used with that thing. 'Burnt-out shell' was probably more accurate. There was no roof to be accounted for, and two of the walls were only partially there anymore. Most of the building was crowded with people getting wasted and dancing to their heart's content, spilling out onto the surrounding grass.

"Of course I want to!" he responded. "I want to have some fun! Don't you?"

"Sure thing," I shrugged.

I caused something of a commotion as I approached to the party. Not that I should have expected any other sort of response; I'd gotten used to that sort of thing. There were a few screams and a 'what the fuck?' or two, but fortunately, most of them were already too drunk to worry too much about a gigantic ferret girl showing up and sitting down.

"I want some beer!" I enthused as Ciaran walked his bike over to the side of the structure. Leaning over one of the walls, I grabbed up a couple of large metal kegs. I shrugged inwardly. They were perfectly proportioned for me.

Ciaran approached my knee, clutching onto a red cup. He'd already downed half of its contents.

"Cheers," I laughed, tearing the top off one of the kegs.

I took a sip, grimacing slightly. To be honest, I hadn't ever had a beer, besides the occasional sip I'd stolen from one of my parents' mugs if they'd had some at dinner. It really tasted awful.

Ciaran wandered off to go refill his now-emptied cup and I got back to my feet. Damn. He was really pounding those things back.

The dull throb of bass from the DJ booth drifted up to my ears, and the tip of my tail began to twitch. As I polished off the pair of kegs (and replenished with another two... or four... uh, maybe six), dancing became more and more easy. Necessary, even.

Soon, I was flailing about with reckless abandon, sending folks scattering with each erratic step. My foot collided with a lone truck that had been foolishly parked in the middle of the field and I tripped, falling backward.

I crashed to the ground, crushing a smaller tree or two into matchwood under my back and giggling uncontrollably. The force of my collapse knocked a couple of people flat on their asses, provoking some loud complaints. Oh, well. Whatever. Bitches could deal.

But wait a moment. Where was Ciaran? Rolling over onto all fours, I crawled past the pancaked truck toward the building. The mink was there, face flushed and walking unsteadily as he weaved through the crowd back towards the entrance, giggling uncontrollably to himself. He came to a halt as he noticed me peering in through the large burned-out hole in the roof.

"Look out! Tabzilla!" he slurred.

"More like Queen Tab. Tab Kong. I'm not _that_big," I snorted in response. "I'm bored,"

"Already?"

"Let's go home,"

"Home?"

"My place!" I urged, beckoning impatiently. "Let's get out of here,"

Ciaran found his way erratically towards his bike, leaned against a tree, and we turned our backs on the busy party.