The bears had a routine. Papa made the porridge, thick, same recipe as his mother's. Mama set the table. Baby Bear sat and waited. He'd been asking for eggs for weeks. Nobody was listening.
Porridge was too hot so they went for a walk while it cooled. Door unlocked because they lived in the woods and that's what you do.
Her real name was Eleanor. Goldilocks was a nickname from the hair. She was nineteen and had just had a big fight with her mother — the kind where you both say the thing you can't unsay, and then somebody walks out.
She walked until the anger wore off. Then kept going because she didn't know where else to go.
She found the cottage by accident. Door was open. She shouldn't have gone in. But it was warm and she was tired.
Three bowls. Big one, too hot. Medium, cold. Small one, just right. She ate the whole thing.
Three chairs. Big one was too big. Medium was too soft. Small one felt good. She sat down and it broke under her. The thing that fits isn't always the thing that holds.
Three beds upstairs. Too hard. Too soft. Just right. She was asleep in seconds.
The bears came home and knew something was off right away.
Papa went upstairs. There she was in Baby Bear's bed, curled on her side.
She woke up to three bears in the doorway. She didn't scream. They weren't moving. They were just looking at her.
"I'm sorry. I broke the chair. I ate the porridge. I shouldn't be here."
She was crying a little. Not dramatic. Just everything from that morning catching up.
Mama Bear sat on the edge of the bed and put a paw on her shoulder.
"You ate his porridge," she said, looking at Baby Bear.
"I know."
"He wanted eggs anyway."
Baby Bear lit up.
They made her tea. She told them about the fight. Being nineteen and not knowing where you fit. Trying things and they're either wrong or they break.
She walked home after. Said the things she needed to say to her mom. Her mom made porridge. Not because it was great. Because it's what she had.
Goodnight to the bears and their unlocked door.
Goodnight to Baby Bear, who finally got his eggs.
Goodnight.