We’ve all had that moment where something is missing. Roaming around the house or office, it dawns on us that we forgot something seemingly insignificant. Well, what happens when that random forgetfulness morphs into a deeper issue? What happens when it’s someone you love?
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Welcome to Smirk. A podcast that covers society and culture through a storytelling lens. Part creative writing, part discussion, and always interesting. Each week our hosts brings a story to the show, a story they wrote themselves, which is immediately followed by discussion on the author’s moral or theme.
These stories can cover any topic the host wants to discuss, it can be lighthearted or more serious. No one but the author knows if these tales are truth or fiction, and part of the fun is guessing while you’re listening before the reality is made clear.
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Want to read Amanda’s story “Take Care” in full? Think you can identify the moral or theme for this episode? Read it below, and then take a listen to the podcast.
Take Care
Oh that’s right, I need to head to the store. My refrigerator note promptly reminded me. ‘Eggs, milk, flour, vanilla, and chocolate chips’, I reiterate to myself again and again, hoping I won’t forget anything. I’ll have to take a shower, get ready, and then I can leave.
Thirty minutes pass by, my shower was refreshing, so maybe I’ll sit on the couch and watch the news. “Oh shoot!” – as I pass by the fridge I’m once again reminded of my need to get groceries. I’ll just go now, it’s only 10 minutes away. But… Where’d I set my keys?
I finally find them, head to the store, and start to grocery shop. OF COURSE I left the list at home. Eggs… Milk… What else was it? As I go through the isles, I grab a few things I think I’d need and proceed to checkout. I ask the checkout clerk the time: 10:10 a.m. My daughter, Felicia, is coming to visit at 11 so I had better hurry. I take my groceries and put them in the trunk, get into the car, and decide to head home.
A car’s headlights are coming right at me! I slam on my car horn, panic, and swerve back to the right side of the road. When I get it under control, I pull over to the side of the road. The car clock says 11:15 a.m. Where am I? I look around.. I don’t remember getting here. I look for my telephone, I know Felicia gave me one and keeps it in my purse. It’s got to be around here somewhere. Come on.. God, please.. FOUND IT!
I thought the point of mobile phone was to be smaller, not the same size as a landline. I’ve got to call Felicia, got to call Felicia. There’s an alert she called, I click on that and there’s a call back button. It’s dialing, so that’s good.
“MOM?? MOM WHERE ARE YOU?” I begin to cry. I don’t know where I am and I don’t want to scare her, but I need help. “MOM? Are you there?”
“Hi honey, I’m okay, I just.. I don’t know where I am. I think I was just almost in an accident but I don’t know where I am. I pulled over”
“Mom are you sure you’re ok? Just hang tight, we’ll find you”. I hear her mumbling in the background, she must be talking to Joe, her husband. “Okay mom, Joe’s going to walk you through a process to send us your location from your phone, ok?”
I nod and wipe away my tears, as if she can see me. “Okay honey”.
Joe takes me through the steps – so many steps – but they figure it out. Apparently you can send where you are through a text message, isn’t that scary? An officer pulls up behind me – “Ma’am, I’m Officer Dutchlech, your daughter asked me to head over to make sure you were okay until she got here okay? Is there anything you need?”
“No I’m okay, thank you. I’m so sorry to have you come out here with me like this.”
“Ma’am you have nothing to be sorry for, we just want to make sure you’re okay. I’ll be in my car with the lights on to keep cars from getting to close but you stay here alright?”
“Yes, thank you for your help”. This is so embarrassing.
After about 30 more minutes of waiting, Felicia and Joe arrive. She barely waits for the car to stop before she runs at me crying with her arms open. I open my door and walk to her, tearing up again. “Mom, I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so worried. I was at the house, but you weren’t, I was so worried it was going to be like last time. I love you so much”.
Felicia held me in an embrace for a few minutes and I felt relief – but also shame. How could I let this happen? I’m the one who is supposed to take care of my child, not the other way around.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I remembered I needed groceries. The list on the fridge. I was going to make you cookies.” I feel so embarrassed I can’t even look in her eyes. She can tell.
“Mom, I love you. Nothing will ever change. Not even Dementia. I will make sure we take care of you. That’s what today is all about. Making sure we get you somewhere safe. I promise we’ll take care of you. Okay?”
I breathe a sigh of relief. She will take care of me.