Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Mona Fay Cartman is an African-American baby boomer who lives with her family in a shabby house owned by a crooked landlord. At the age of six, Mona and her family move to a town called Mulberry fulfilling her father's dream, in contrast cultural changes for her become a living nightmare. Shortly after moving, Mona survives falling out of a fast moving car. Mocked by classmates, neglected by teachers, taunted by folklore, her most fearful imagination spins into what appears to be a lifelong sleep disorder. Mona senses someone holding her down, upon awakening she cannot move or say a word. Her mother calls it, "The Witch-that rides you." Others may know it as "The Old Hag." Throughout grammar school she depends on miracles to get her from grade to grade until one year her miracles run out. Her imaginary friend is better than anyone can imagine; however, Mona's real best friend is her cousin P.J. Mona bases her life on numerology; but the epitome of a blind date happens to be one number she doesn't see coming. He treats her like the "sandman," but to Mona, he is the real "bogeyman." As an adult she is still afraid of the dark. She attends church regularly but where is her faith? Mona is convinced ghosts, spirits, and demons are the actual paralyzing forces holding her down as she lays down to sleep. This new revelation helps her thoughts differ from her mother's folkloristic explanation, "The Witch-that rides you." Her medical manual describes this sleep disorder as cataplexy/sleep paralysis. Her Bible interprets it as "The Spirit of fear." Nevertheless, she believes both books are right. Some lessons come with time, others come with wisdom, but what has Mona Fay Cartman learned? Is it true, there is nothing to fear but fear itself?