“Pancakes!!!” Chloe and Conner raced into the kitchen with the speed of cheetahs, and the grace of newborn foals. Chloe immediately sat down, but Connor stopped to stare in horror at the half finished pancakes on Andie’s plate.
“What?” Andie returned Connor’s stare with a confused look, one which transitioned to a smirk as she remembered the empty threat she’d made. “Hey, I warned you…”
“Andie! Be Nice!” Tully patted Connor on the head. “She’s just messing with you, your pancakes will be ready in a…” He caught sight of Chloe, who was dressed in her favorite pink dress and had smeared her mother’s lipstick around her mouth. “…second. Honey, what did you do?”
“I dressed myself up pretty!” Chloe beamed with pride. “Like a proper princess should!”
“…I see…” A twinge of hesitation and concern settled into Tully’s expression, though he tried to keep his supportive smile. “Excuse me for a moment.” He walked over to Kayleigh - who was just about to leave the house - and pulled her aside. “Honey, I’m worried about Chloe. I think all those old Disney princess movies are starting to have a negative influence on her.”
“Oh no, a girl that likes cute and frilly pink things. Sound the alarm, she must have been brainwashed. We must save her from being forced into liking these things so she can be forced into liking sportsball and science. If we don’t constantly encourage her to have an ambitious and aggressive personality she might grow up to be…” Kayleigh gasped with feigned horror. “…a homemaker! She could spend her time at home raising children and doing chores, instead of making money! How tragic it would be - and so likely! It’s in her DNA, Tully! What if Chloe grows up just like you, spending time with her kids, instead of on her career? The horror.”
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“Sweetie. Honey. Kay. We both know that’s not what I’m worried about.” A rare frown crossed Tully’s face. “I don’t want her to think she’s just an accessory or trophy for some successful husband, or to feel like physical appearances are more important than what’s underneath…”
“You worry too much, Tul-tul. Chloe is our daughter, and though she and I may be different on the surface, she takes after me where it really matters. Tell you what though, just to be safe, I’ll go take care of it right now.” Kayleigh strolled back into the kitchen, and leaned over Chloe. “Hi, sweetie. I heard you watched Cinderella again last night. You really love that movie, huh?”
A sparkle of excitement flared up in Chloe’s eyes. “Yah!”
“So I was wondering, why do you think Cinderella gets the prince at the end?”
Chloe rolled her eyes, answering with a tone that made it clear she thought the answer to be obvious. “Because she’s a princess, duh! She’s nice, and pretty, and good!”
“Really?” A smug grin sprouted across Kayleigh’s lips. “Are you sure it’s not because of how hard she worked? I mean, she went through so much without ever letting it shape her. No matter how much her nasty stepsisters did to her, she returned evil with kindness and never gave up on her dreams. So, she reaped what she sowed, and earned herself loyal friends and allies - like her fairy godmother.”
Chloe froze in place, blankly staring at her mother. After a few seconds of silence, she turned her gaze downward - lost in thought.
“Anyway, I’ve gotta go now, kiddo. See you tonight.” Kayleigh walked back to the front door of the house, stopping briefly to mime a mike drop as she passed her husband. “Boom. I just turned Disney’s Cinderella into feminist propaganda. You’re welcome.”