When The Boy was in the fifth grade he recieved a package from his Godparents. It was a birthday gift that we will never forget. It was a nice gift, a wonderful multi colored kite, but it was the little something extra tucked into the box that gave us the most laughs and the most enduring memory. The greatest thing in the box was a monkey mask.As far as masks go this was a very simple one, just a photo of a monkey’s face printed on some lightweight card stock with holes punched where the eyes should be. It’s funny how the simple things can bring so much enjoyment. For the rest of the day The Boy, Shannie or I kept putting the mask on and sneaking up to startle each other. There were a few minor frights but mostly just lots of laughter. After all, how spooky is a monkey?

When I went to my son’s room the next morning to wake him up the mask was laying on the floor beside the bed. The happy little monkey was grinning up at me and it immediately brought a smile to my face. What a great way to start the day, with a nice smile and a happy heart. On impulse I picked up the mask and put it on. Then I gently touched my sleeping son’s shoulder and softly called his name.

What happened next is a blur or motion and sound. The Boy’s eyes popped open and immediately grew as big as dinner plates while his body somehow levitated and flew backwards into the wall. It’s hard to remember which one of us screamed the loudest that morning but I’m pretty sure most of the sound was drowned out by the loud thud as he tried to hurl himself through the plasterboard.

My poor child was frightened out of his senses and it was all my doing. I never meant for things to go so horribly wrong. I honestly thought he would smile and laugh, at worst he would tell me that I wasn’t funny. It was just suppose to be a feel good moment not a waking nightmare. As I contemplated the results of my actions I knew that there was only one thing for me to do. I put the mask back on and went across the hall to wake up his sister.