"Really, Megan, I don't know why you cover yourself in that Elvira make up. You're pale as it is, and it covers up how pretty you really are."

"Just part of the persona, I guess," I told her with a shrug. "Megan Decosta, the underground artist, wouldn't wear pink blush and a pony tail."

"Well, if you were at a showing, I could see that," Mom said, nodding. "But today?"

Mom was quiet for a minute as she waited for me to respond. Although I felt a little better my mind was still locked up and I had no idea what I was going to tell her.

"Megan, why are...