What’s today? Monday. No, it’s Friday because we had fish and chips. There’s my empty plate. See? Yes, Friday.
What happened to my memory? I used to win quizzes. I did – didn’t I?
Why’s this happening? WHY? It makes me so ANGRY!
Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout.
It’s like I’m staring through a misted window. I see shapes but not the detail. You wouldn’t understand, why should you?
Who are you, standing there gawping at me? My daughter? No you’re not. Go. go. NOW.
That’s it, turn on the waterworks. Youngsters today. Heaven help us.
My nurse is lovely. Jenny. No, Jacqui. I think. She understands me. She has a special gift. How can I explain it? It’s as if she wipes away the mist, and for a few precious moments, my memory returns.
Then she goes, it steams up again and I forget what I remembered.
Hey, cheer up. It’s fish and chips tonight. I think. My nurse Jacqui… err, Jenny will be here with it soon.
Word count 168
Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers is hosted by Priceless Joy. This weeks picture is by wildverbs.
is that selective amnesia? loved the ay u took turns to confuse me 🙂
I believe that’s what it’s called.
That’s so sad, that losing of the mind, of our memories. Who are we without them? Tragic Keith
They are precious. Thanks Lynn
This seems familiar Keith, is it a repost? Or perhaps, my memory is playing tricks on me… Nice one.
it’s a rewrite of a long piece rather than a repost Iain. Well spotted!
Good to know my memory is still intact for now!
…for now! Cheers Iain.
Wow, great story, Keith! Dementia… I think you nailed it!
Thanks so much PJ
He probably always was a bit crotchety, but with the dementia fogging and frustrating him… Well done, Keith. All you need now is to have him refusing to put on the clothes he’s given because they aren’t his and why should he wear someone else’s? (Went through that with Bob’s mom)
I can’t imagine what’s it’s actually like to live with it or to care for a sufferer. Cheers, Christine.
Oh, it’s awful for the person going through it, and the family and friends who have to watch. Once the memory is totally gone, it’s a little easier in some ways.
I imagine that is so. Thanks, Mimi.
I imagine that is so. Thanks Mimi.
This was fascinating to read, if very sad. Great job writing from the mind of someone with dementia, Keith.
That’s so kind of you Jade, thank you.
Intense and brutal.
Indeed. Thanks, Anurag.
Very true. Thanks Anurag
Too bad he is losing his memory. But fish and chips is good. I love it.
I agree on both counts!
I could eat every day! Thank you.
This is very close to home for me, an excellent take on the prompt, Keith.
I’m sorrry to hear that but thank you for reading and commenting.
I know it sounds cruel, but I hope someone just runs over me in the driveway if this happens to me. I do not want to put my sons or myself through it.
I’m with you 100%. Having said that, we may just think differently at the time if it were to occur to us..
Keith, we won’t be thinking at all. At least not rationally.
Oh man, this was pretty sad. It drew me in with the first few lines. My girlfriend’s grandfather has dementia and it kills me to see what it does to her when he forgets who she is.
I can only imagine. Thanks so much Jacob