Prompt Rides - 15. Damn Uncle!

My scream must have been heard in every corner of the restaurant.

“What happened?” I hesitantly asked noone in particular, as my mind tried to clear the fog enveloping it. I was laying on a hard, cold surface―the restroom floor. I could hear whispering voices, and there was a damp towel over my eyes; which I removed before asking my question.

“Don’t move, Nevin.” My boss took the cloth from my hands, and replaced it on my face. “Just relax, we called 911, and paramedics are on their way.”

“What happened?” I asked again, a sense of dread and urgency creeping into my voice. I recalled it was my boss’ birthday, she refused to have a party, so her assistant arranged a silly little event at McDonalds. Hats, streamers and McNuggets, for a dozen adults.

“We’re not sure. You excused yourself to go to the men’s room, and a few minutes later we heard a scream. The store manager came to get us, letting us know you were passed out on the floor.

“My uncle’s fault I passed out.” Oh yeah, It was all coming back to me now. I’d walked in the rest room, there was a kid at the urinal, so I stepped into the stall. I heard the kid leave―didn’t hear the little fucker wash his hands―and then some adult voices discussing how the birthday lady was going to be surprised. I opened the door to the toilet cubicle, screamed, and passed out. Must have fallen and hit my head, it hurt like a bitch.

“What about your uncle?” My boss sounded intrigued.

“When I was a little kid, he babysat me on a regular basis, one day he decided to have some fun, put on a Halloween mask, and yelled boo at me. I jumped, pissed my pants, and cried for hours. I wouldn’t go near him for years. Since then, I’ve been deadly afraid of clowns. When I saw five laughing Ronald McDonalds surrounding me, all that fear came back, and I screamed.”

“Damn uncle!”