Blackout

My mother had just cause, trying to protect me from things

inadvertainly dislodging. I returned; my mind peacefully blank, to

join their images. Slowing my step, dragging me down. Alone,

silently trying to shrug them off. Time alone, time to unwind, and 

 relax, deal with problems later. Instead of fading away, images

grew bolder. Like a genie escaped from a bottle; clinging to me,

suffocating, clutching at my throat, so tightly I could barely

breathe. What was going on? Why was I the one trudging through

deep snow, never tripping over my own feet. Who stood by you,

broke your bones and battered your spirit? Don't bother with her.

You'll deal with her later.