I Reach For Pink Mask

Open up the Mask Drawer Please I cackled delight as I opened up my mask drawer. Naughty Wednesday mask was on top. It had a permanent stamp on it that said “Call in sick.” Wednesday is the longest day at work, an extra hour every Wednesday. In the back of my mind, I felt Purple. Purple I kept thinking. I know Sunday’s mask is purple. I glared at yellow-green mask; distorted, ugly, hideously angry. I tried never to wear my Angry mask. Nothing shuts children down faster or harder than Angry mask. Being a school counselor, I know that it’d be better for me to stay home than wear Angry mask. On a whim I throw it on the floor and began stamping it into the carpet. My husband comes around the corner and says “Boo.” So glad I had that can of vegetable soup in my hand. I am in such a rare form mood when I’m Anywhere near Angry mask. Husband yelps, and wisely retreats, In a small scared voice I hear him ask, “Where is pink mask?” “Probably in the washer, because I’ll bet you forgot to DRY it TODAY!” Angry mask and I yell, angrily. I can hear the pitter patter of a husband’s feet. Hear the dryer open. Happy mask is flung inside the room with us. Angry mask and I glower at it. “Come on,” My muse says. “You could try to change your mood.” You’d think me being a school counselor and teaching children they are in charge of their own moods – changes, swings, etc. I could do this. I struggle to think of my best lesson for changing attitude. Aha! Now I remember. I pull out stop sign. Hold it up to the mirror where a mean angry woman is glaring at me. God, she’s old! Much older than I ever think I am. “STOP!” the reflection and I yell. “STOP! Your mood is up to you. You can be mad for a week, a day, an hour, or….” A buzzer goes off. Time to get up. I run over and slam the alarm clock into the floor hard, Breaking off every piece I can. “STOP!” the stop sign in my head yells. “STOP! STOP! STOP!” I am taking a hammer to it now. I really have to get off the steroids. Too bad my choice is between breathing or sleeping. And yes, Mom, I have NOT slept in 5 days, and do you want to fight me, really? You are 84 years old, and I know you can take me out as well as you put me in…. Damn steroids. I’d best go back to the doctor today. I love my job, and I certainly Don’t want medication to Make me lose it. I reach for Pink Mask.