Phantom pain

 Mabel:  Mommy, okay. You know...when... Okay. Mommy. You know when thurr's just... Mommy what do ghosts be for Halloween?

Me:  What are ghosts for Halloween? Well I think they're ghosts, right? They're already something, they're ghosts.

Mabel:  No.

Me:  No?

Mabel:  Mommy, just listen. Ghosts can't be ghosts because thurr already ghosts and you're suppost to wear a costume. So... Ghosts can't be ghosts!

Me:  I feel like you're really trying to complicate something that ghosts already had pretty figured out, Mabes.

Mabel:  Mommy, you told me I hadta have a costume. Now I'm worried that all the ghosts in the world will feel left out of Halloween because they jus have ghostiness and no costume. Isn't that sad?

Me:  Well I don't know how often they get invited to parties, so maybe it's not even a thing.

Mabel:  Mommy, you're being silly.

Me:  I'll try to watch that.

Mabel:  Mommy, I think I should start finding costumes for the ghosts to wear.

Me:  Good thinkin', Mabes.

Mabel:  Can I look in your closet?

Me:  You want to look in my closet for Halloween costume pieces...for ghosts?

Mabel:  Yeah, spooky clothes an' funny stuff too.

Me:  Things that make you look silly or scary. In my closet.

         Stay down, 'my self esteem'.