All my life I’ve put on a perfect mask, hiding my emotions away from the world. I never realized it cut me off from a place of hope and love. Instead I was determined to avoid the pain and desperation. I didn’t know that my mask is what pushed me into the cold and unforgiving side of life. I always ignored anyone I wanted to cut out, until I realized I already knew how awful that felt. I reach for the phone, before I remember. I stop and remember that I am alone. There is no one here now. The mask falls to floor and shatters into a pile of glass being covered by my tears.