A Slumber Crown

My beaded bracelets clicked against the armrest as I carried my favorite puffy pastel hair scrunchie over to my fluffy white bear. My head felt buzzing and tired tonight, and the bear's plain forehead looked like it needed a sleepy crown. When I stretched the pink ruffled elastic over its fuzzy ears, the fabric snagged twice against a felt tip, making a hot prickle of frustration rise up in my chest. I stopped, pressed my plush palms into the soft cushion, and took four deep breaths until the prickly feeling faded. Then I eased the scrunchie right over both ears, smoothing the frills flat so it looked like a sweet flower headband. Nestling under its arm feels instantly calm.