"Circus Baby (optional): Did you know that I was onstage once? It wasn't for very long; only one day. What a wonderful day, though! I was in a small room with balloons and a few tables. No one sat at the tables, though, but children would run in and out. Some were afraid of me; others enjoyed my songs. Music was always coming from somewhere else, down a hall. I would always count the children ― I'm not sure why. I was always acutely aware of how many there were in the room with me. 2, then 3, then 2, then 3, then 4, then 2. Then none. They usually played together in groups of 2 or 3. I was covered in glitter. I smelled like birthday cake! There were 2, then 3, then 5, then 4. I can do something special, did you know that? I can make ice cream! ...Although, I only did it once. There were 4, then 3, then 2... then 1. Something happened when there was 1. A little girl, standing by herself. I was no longer... myself. And I stopped singing. My stomach opened, and there was ice cream. I couldn't move — at least, not until she stepped closer. There was screaming for a moment ― but only for a moment. Then other children rushed in again, but they couldn't hear her over the sounds of their own excitement. I still hear her sometimes. Why did that happen?"