I
The hat sits upon the shelf, where it has endured an entire off-season's threat of the washing machine. Nay, say I, that hat cannot be washed. It is luck, and it is part of my uniform, and each stain and tear represent an entire campaign; history which cannot be re-lived, battles fought and won, seasons successful...and bittersweet. The queen of the house understands enough to know that she does not understand at all, yet it is enough that the hat has successfully carried its scars, and has done so well enough to have earned the honor of another campaign.