Becoming His

Jefferson County, Alabama

Nineteen years ago

“Ya can’t marry Barbie to T-Rex.”

“Sure, ya can. Barbie’s got a white dress on, don’t she? That means she’s ready for a husband.”

“That don’t mean she wants T-Rex.” Little Amy ripped her doll out of the young boy’s clutches, smoothing out the already wrinkled white dress. She attempted to fix the tufts of blonde hair she’d cut months ago, the patches of plastic a tribute to her brief hairdressing fantasy turned nightmare. A tragic mistake she’d never recover from.

Zyran grinned, showing off the fresh gap next to his two front teeth. “She should. T-Rex’ll keep her safe. Make sure she don’t run into no bad guys.”

Amy's hazel eyes flashed with anger. “She’ll be safe with Prince Ken.” She grabbed the shirtless Ken doll and punctuated her point by shoving him under the makeshift wedding arch—right next to Barbie.

The arch was a stack of books with a large leaf they both found outside. They weren’t sure what to do with it until Amy remembered the beautiful swirl of twigs and flowers she’d seen two weeks ago at her Auntie Lynette’s wedding.

She was still admiring the way Barbie’s hand was positioned next to Ken’s when a big, stupid green T-Rex foot nudged between them. Too big. Too monstrous. Too wrong.

“Hey, quit it!” Amy snatched her Barbie and held it protectively against her chest. “I told you. She don’t want the T-Rex! She wants Ken!”

“Ken’s weak. Look,” Zyran said, wrapping his small hand over the doll’s head. All it took was one flick of his wrist, and—

“Ahhh! What did you do?!” Amy shrieked, her palms cupping her cheeks as she stared down in horror at headless Ken balanced in Zyran’s lap. The head was tossed carelessly onto the carpet, landing right next to her favorite rabbit plushie.

The little boy shrugged, the dimple on his cheek popping as he explained. “Barbie needs somebody to take care of her. Ain’t gonna get that from Ken. T-Rex is stronger.” He shoved his T-Rex in Amy’s direction. “Here, try and break his neck.”

Amy dropped the tiny bride in her hands and gunned for the door, but not before turning around to level her nemesis with a glare. “I’m tellin’ your daddy and my daddy too. You’re in so much trouble.”

Zyran smirked. “Go ahead. Ain’t gonna change a thing.” He reached over to nab the Barbie and smushed her against the T-Rex, his lips puckered as he forced them to kiss.

“They’re still gettin’ married. Whether you like it or not.”

The last thing he heard before he was dragged out of the room was Amy’s scream of frustration as she called for her daddy.