The crayon box had been overturned, and like fallen soldiers, the Crayolas were sprawled all over the floor.
I was picking up the ever popular Sky Blue, his head half worn down from repetitive use, when I hear some mumbling. Of course, I assumed it was the uppity Miss Raggedity. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to her non-stop complaining. However, when I glanced over to the toy shelf, I noticed she was snoring quietly, head on Andy’s shoulder.
I was shoving the seemingly unpopular Apricot Orange into the overstuffed box when I began to realize the voice was coming from the far corner of the room.
A Lime Green crayon was hopping up and down, waving her arms wildly, all the while tossing her complaints into the air.
“Not there! Not there!”she screeched.
On hands and knees, I crawled over to the little creature until she was right under my nose.
“Pardon me.” My voice had a bit of an edge to it.
“Everything is all wrong! You can’t just put it there! You just can’t!” She was near hysterics.
“Want to fill me in?” I was completely lost and my patience was running thin.
The Lime Green was getting red in the face as she began her colorful tirade.
“Everything’s out of order. Why, everyone knows the Evergreen doesn’t mix well with the Orange family. They haven’t spoken in years.”
“The Orange family?” I was beginning to get the picture. Just barely.
She continued. “And, don’t get me started on the Purples. You’ve put Violet on the far end, and Lavender and Fuchsia are nowhere near each other. In fact, the entire Purple family has been displaced!!”
I picked up that hysterical Lime Green and crawled back to the crayon box. I was Hell bent on lecturing the entire Crayola box about diversity and burying the hatchet when I heard another voice.
“There she is! Limey! Limey!” Rolling towards me was a rather worried looking Yellow Green. What resulted was a teary eyed reunion, a heartfelt apology and a long explanation about Limey’s lifelong battle with anxiety, paranoia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
I lent a sympathetic ear.
Then, I placed the assorted shades of green together, lightest to darkest. Figured she could use the family support.
Then, I put the crayon box up high in a cupboard. Figured she could use a little time away.
Then, I poured myself a good stiff drink.
‘Cuz if I am still hearing crayons talk in the morning, I might need to dip into Miss Limey’s medication myself.
Ever had a day like that?