A Pound of Butter

(NYC Midnight 100 word microfiction challenge 2023 round 2 qualifier)

(Criteria: genre = historical fiction | activity = changing a diaper | necessary word to include = “upper”)

The upper floor nursery’s peace shatters. ‘What does “ravaging” mean?’ 

I look up from the half-changed nappy to behold a blur of pink silk tumbling to a stop.

‘Why you ask, Ethel?’

‘I heard Mama saying the Empire’s justice is marvellous because a gentleman was fined a guinea for ravaging and murdering an Indian girl –

‘A guinea?!’

My yell upsets the baby. My hands look dark on her British skin.

So, we Indian girls are worth a pound of butter;

Curry with sultanas;

Gin and tonic for the soldier who ravaged my mother;

His planted seed that sprouted me.