Survival Mask

April 17, 1987: My Tia puts on her mask when my mother calls. Everything's fine, she tells her. We are not rich, but we are doing just ok. My health? No aches and pains these days. As soon as she hangs up the receiver, she drops her defense mechanism and I can see what she's really thinking and feeling. She doesn't do that very often and I know that it is for my sake. She is protecting me. I love her very much for it.