can not talk today

  My eyes seemed to want to remain fused together. The alarm is sounding, and I know that I have to wake up. Today I have to give give my presentation to my nephew's third grade class on my job at the circus. I know that it will bring more business to our yearly event, but I just don't want to get up this morning.



    I rub my eyes and stumble to the bathroom. I am usually humming by now, but I just don't have the energy. The phone rings.

   

    “H”, nothing is coming out. I try again. All I could do was cause a little cough.

   

    “Ms. Wright,” my nephew's  teacher Ms. Collins was on the phone. “If you can here me, we are looking forward to you presentation this morning at ten.”



    “.............”  How could I do this? I can not even explain to Ms. Collins why no voice responded to her on the phone.



    I could not say no. I guess that means yes. There was no other way. I can not leave the class with no one. So I put on make up and colorful clothes. I have to explain what it was like to live under the big top. I gather some magic trick to keep their attention. Though I did not know what I would do with it, I grabbed a large chest.



    I reach the school. I sit in the car for a few minutes. I was still not sure what to do next. I finally get the nerve to gather all my prompts. In the office, the friendly receptionist greets me. “Good morning.”



    I gave a nervous wave with a wide fake smile. I hope that I would not offend her. I handed her my identification. “Oh, You are Ms. Wright.” She hands me a pass to Mat's class room. “That right, you must be going to be miming for the circus.  I loved the circus when I was in school”

 

    That's it. I will mime. I finished signing in, and walked to the bathroom to detail my make up. I climb into the trunk. Mat and two of his friends rolled it into the class room. I hit the button for the automatic bubble machine. I rise from the suds.



    After acting out every job that I could think of at the circus, it was question time. I was so worried about how I would answer their questions.  Then the hands begin to raise.



    I pointed to this little red headed girl. “Is there elephants?

 

    I smile, bring my arm up to my nose swaying it, and rocked back and forth like a big elephant. The kids loved it. I point to the next child.



    “Is there music?” Asks a hyper little boy.



    I pretend to play the drums.



    Then the next question was from the a quiet little girl. “Can you do magic?”



    I climb into the trunk, turned on the bubbles, and slipped out the back trap. I sneak to the door. The teacher opened the chest. I wasn't there.



    I am glad when I can wake up talking again.









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