Summerween Writing Challenge # MASK

When I was little, my Mom always and I mean ALWAYS wanted me to dress up as a Princess for Halloween.

The thing of it was, I was such a scruffy, little kid that I’m not sure the prettiest Princess costume in the world would change that- and in the 60’s and early 70’s we had those funny smelling  plastic masks and plastic costumes you could wear over your clothes.

But we thought they were magical.

We kids were convinced those costumes turned us into Princesses and Clowns and Gypsies and Vampires and Witches- but not me. I didn’t believe that I could look like a Princess no matter how much magic was involved..

Mom was really  frustrated because I kept turning down her suggestions she finally gave in and asked what I wanted to be.

I told her a scary, scary Devil.

” Oh for Pete’s sake. ” She went to the shelves and pulled a box off the top and tossed it into the cart. ” Let’s go. ”

My Grandpa Bert,  came over that night to see what  me and my brother had chosen to be for Halloween.

Frankly, I think he knew I was going to crash the train as it were and he wanted to see the wreckage for himself  and he wasn’t disappointed.

” She wants to be a Devil for Halloween.” my Mom said curtly.

” Oh Marie, ” ( he always called me by my middle name ) he said sadly,  ” so you’re  not going to dress up for Halloween?”

” You’re funny, ” I told him. ” I’m going to wear a Princess crown too. ”  I ran into the kitchen and took my bag off of the table, then I ran back out into the living room pulled the plastic tiara out of the bag my costume was in and showed it to him.

My Grandpa asked if I really needed to wear the crown and then we both looked at my Mom and tried not to laugh-

and we failed.