Page 18 - Self Talk

“Yes, sir, you can depend on me,” mother's voice was louder and stronger now.
“Just tell me what I have to do.”
“May we have a seat to conduct this briefing?”
“Why yes, of course, come in. Please forgive my manners. I thought you were here to tell me....” her voice trailed away as she motioned toward the kitchen table.
“Here's your official civil defense helmet, armband, preparedness card and Red Book,” he pronounced, carefully lifting each item out of a black satchel and laying them on the table as if they were precious jewels. The helmet looked like a giant shiny red apple with the letters, “CD” printed in white on the front.