Stratego

My mom called me the other night, saying she was lonely. "We like our new place. It's very nice. Well, it looks just like the old place. But we don't know anyone here yet." I told her I was sure they'd meet people soon, that it takes time.

The thing is, they haven't moved yet. Which explains why the new place looks just like the old one. I think she's processing the idea of moving, but it can't find a foothold in her brain so it bounces from future to past to present and back around again.

On the other hand, the idea of driving has a foothold in every region of her brain, with bases secured and fresh attacks launched from them sporadically, tirelessly every day. The enemy, my father, is at his wit's end. Today he dispensed with his usual SOS emails to his children and actually picked up the phone and called me. She was insisting he go out and make her a key to the car. She refused to go out to meet friends for lunch. She's fighting for control even as the ground is slipping away from under her. But she's still capable of inflicting a great deal of real pain, particularly on her husband. He went to the doctor this morning about all the fatigue he's been experiencing. The doctor told him he's depressed.

I'm going up this weekend. Two weeks after that my brother arrives to begin getting them packed up and moved. I believe he's bringing my nephew, who my mom adores, which may mean she'll be on better behavior. At any rate, we'll all be there together en masse, outmatching her.

Comments

[dale]

Ay. {{{Leslee}}}

[leslee]

Thanks, Dale. Ain't easy, is it.

[Dave]

I love that you manage to keep a sense of humor about this. A shame your father never learned how.

[Jean]

Leslee, I'm so sorry, this is awful - tragi-comic. It's also wonderfully written.

[leslee]

Dave: Humor (particularly the irreverent kind) is one saving grace we have in my family, and it seems to have come down my mother's side. (It's not always appreciated by the more reverent, however!)

Thanks, Jean. I appreciate your comments.

[joanna]

Well, yesterday my father asked me if he had to fill out any leave forms to go out west on vacation with us. I asked him where he thought he worked, and said "WHy right here. I report for duty every day." I think that his confusions are taking him back to the army.
The other night he asked if I could help him phone his brother because he hadn't heard from them in ages and wanted them to know that he was still alive. The truth is, he'd just spoken with my uncle a few days ago.

Anyhow, I'm glad that your father went to see his doctor. He needs to take care of himself.

[leslee]

Weird, isn't it? My mom also has talked about getting up for work and she hasn't worked in 10 years. I reminded her she didn't have to work because "it's Sunday!"

Yeah, my dad saw his doctor, but he couldn't do anything for him. My brother has appointments lined up for both of them with the university docs when they get out there. So that's good. Just need to get them both through the move intact.