my mother at her best

i don't remember how old i was, only that i was young. it was early in the morning, i stumbled into my mom's bathroom. like i would most every morning back then, to watch her apply her make up, get ready for the day.

'morning!' she says.

i sat on the carpet, blinked the sleep away.

'what was that on your back?' she asks.
'what?'

i stood up and turn around.

'oh my god, are you ok? you don't feel it?'
'what?!'
'there's a huge hole on your back. oh wow, it looks really deep. we should call an ambulance.'

i crawl onto the counter, trying to catch myself in the mirror, running my hands over the parts of my back i could reach. i'm panicked.

'i don't see any blood!'

she smiles. (smiles!)

'april fools.'