I’m crazy, they tell me… The people in those white coats; although they are not really wearing white coats. I cast them wearing white coats in my retelling. But they do smell of mint, lots of mint and speak through foamy dripping mouths. I tell my wife this repeatedly as she shakes her head. She tells me that I’m wrong. Her voice is garbled as she tries to hold the pasty substance back. I sigh as I realize they’ve gotten to her as well. I didn’t know; am not sure when they got to her. I’ve always known before. The smell of mint is strong when it happens; overpowering. I tried to warn her but she wouldn’t listen. I told her about the caps. Oh, how angry it would make her. I hated hearing that drilling, piercing noise as she yelled, “how hard is it to put the caps back on the tube.” Then she’d screw it back on. For years, I didn’t tell her that she was inviting danger. How could I? She could not see what I could see. She’d never met them. Insidious creatures reeking of mint. I even tried losing the caps. It was all to no avail. There was no way to fight them. Now I wonder if I alone am the only one who truly understands what they are. Is there anyone left? Anyone they’ve not gotten to. I smell the mint everywhere. HELP! HELP!!! No, here come two with the white coats with pills to make me forget. I won’t take them, I won’t. No, not a needle. No, you can’t make me forget the caps. They can’t be connected to the tubes, it’s how they live. Believe me, I won’t forget…. But I can’t fight it alone. Take the caps, the caps, the….
“He’ll sleep for a while now, Ma’am. He fights the pills. This will work.” “Oh, good. Any change? Is he still refusing to replace the toothpaste caps? He’s been so afraid of them.” “The doctor’s are making progress,” the nurse smiled at her. “Thank goodness, I never thought a breakdown would come in the fear of caps. Imagine fearing such things as if they were horrible monsters. Poor man.” She smiled at the nurses as she gathered her things to leave. “I guess I’ll be back tomorrow. I wish I knew when he’ll be better. It’s been so long.” She waved at the nurses and sighed as she stepped outside, breathing in the fresh mint air. The nurses waved back. The one on left smiled as he dabbed at the white foam in the corner of his mouth.
devilishdishingmommy 