The second grade chicken

The last time my mother actually bought me a Halloween costume was the year I was in second grade. It covered me fully.  I was one hundred percent chicken.

We sat in a half circle while Miss Ipson tried to guess who each child was.  Princesses were easy.

I sat quietly behind my chicken head. My voice could give me away, and I wasn't going to let this happen.  She went through each child and had to skip me and finish.  Then she came back to me.
She had the children help her. Finally, she opened her roll book and went down the roll to see
who was missing.  "Louise," she cried. "It's Louise!"

And it was. I removed my mask and grinned insanely for the rest of the afternoon.

Best Halloween ever.

After that, I was left to my own devices and put together hobo costumes for the rest of elementary school. I am partial to homemade hobos, although you seldom see one anymore.