Pops
“Mind passing me that corn there, Nick?”
“Sure thing, Pops.”
Nick didn’t realize what he’d even said until, with a start, all activity along the vast dining room table came to a stop. Hopps family members of every age turned to gape at the lone fox among them, more attention than he had ever received in his life. Some nudged their neighbors and pointed. Others whispered among themselves. One or two frowned. To Nick’s immediate left, Judy looked ready to grab his arm and flee if things turned old-fashioned. To her left, Bonnie had a hand over her mouth. Past her, Stu was…
…Grinning, surprise in his eyes turning to an unfamiliar warmth. “Ya know, I’m still waiting on that corn, son.”
Nick fought hard not to sniffle, the bunnies returning to their meals around him gone blurry as he grabbed the bowl and passed it along. “Y-yeah, um, sure.”