| Humor Fiction posted February 12, 2024 | Chapters: |
...5 6 -7- 8 
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Remembering can be confusing for Caroline.
A chapter in the book Phone Calls from Caroline
Who's My Mama?
by BethShelby
RINGGG…. RINGGG…
Hello?
Hello…. Beth? Have I finally got you? Don’t you ever look at that thing that takes messages? Is this Beth? It doesn’t sound like you. Are you eating again?
Yes, you got me. Caroline, I tried to call you back, four times. I can’t leave a message, because you don’t have an answering machine. You weren’t in your room, and no, I’m not eating.
Well, you usually are. I need you to help me get some stuff straight. I guess I’m losing my mind. That’s what that case worker, or counselor, or whatever she is, seems to think. She keeps asking me all these questions about my family. I think she wants to put me in with the crazy people. They have a different unit for that.'
You mean the Alzheimer’s Unit. What is she asking you?
She wants to know why I keep calling my daughter, my mama. She says my mother’s dead. She wants to know when I started doing that.
You’ve been doing it for at least five years. Maybe more. I used to ask you that too, but I know who you’re talking about. I think I understand why you call her Mama.
Well, I wish you’d tell me. She always answered, when I called her Mama.
I think it's because when you were little your mother used to wait on you and do everything for you, and when you went to live with your daughter, she started waiting on you and doing everything for you.
Then, you need to talk to that woman and tell her that. She thinks I’m crazy.
Oh, Caroline, You’re not crazy. You’re just getting a little mixed up, sometimes. We all get mixed up when we get older. I think you may be having a bad day.
She was asking all kind of questions about the rest of my family, and she’s the one that got me all mixed up.
What did you do with that list I sent you. I wrote down everybody's name in the family and how they are related to you, so you can get them straight, in case you forgot.
I think somebody stole that list. You can’t keep nothing around this place. Everything disappears.
You do remember your daughter’s name is Christine, right?
Well, there are two Christines. That woman who comes over when I call her, and brings me things I need is named Christine. I think the other Christine is my mother. That woman said she is dead.
No, your mother’s name was Elaine. She is the one who is dead. There isn’t but one Christine. Christine is your daughter, and she's one you call to bring you the things you need.
That woman who comes over here, doesn’t look like my daughter. She looks more like my mother.
Your daughter, Christine is 72. I think she looks really good for her age. She is probably upset because you have forgotten she is your daughter. I think you are having a bad day. It is probably because the weather is overcast with high humidity. Do you know who I am?
Of course, I know who you are. You’re my first cousin, Beth. Why would you ask me if I know who you are? I can’t be expected to remember everything, but I’m not stupid. You call that woman for me, and straighten her out on who everybody is. She is the one who is all mixed up.
Oh Listen, I heard that sound. Somebody is trying to hear our phone call. I’m going to have to hang up. If that Christine woman comes back, I’ll tell her to call you, and you can explain to her who she is. You call me sometimes. I'm tired of having to do all the calling.
CLICK!
RINGGG…. RINGGG…
Hello?
Hello…. Beth? Have I finally got you? Don’t you ever look at that thing that takes messages? Is this Beth? It doesn’t sound like you. Are you eating again?
Yes, you got me. Caroline, I tried to call you back, four times. I can’t leave a message, because you don’t have an answering machine. You weren’t in your room, and no, I’m not eating.
Well, you usually are. I need you to help me get some stuff straight. I guess I’m losing my mind. That’s what that case worker, or counselor, or whatever she is, seems to think. She keeps asking me all these questions about my family. I think she wants to put me in with the crazy people. They have a different unit for that.'
You mean the Alzheimer’s Unit. What is she asking you?
She wants to know why I keep calling my daughter, my mama. She says my mother’s dead. She wants to know when I started doing that.
You’ve been doing it for at least five years. Maybe more. I used to ask you that too, but I know who you’re talking about. I think I understand why you call her Mama.
Well, I wish you’d tell me. She always answered, when I called her Mama.
I think it's because when you were little your mother used to wait on you and do everything for you, and when you went to live with your daughter, she started waiting on you and doing everything for you.
Then, you need to talk to that woman and tell her that. She thinks I’m crazy.
Oh, Caroline, You’re not crazy. You’re just getting a little mixed up, sometimes. We all get mixed up when we get older. I think you may be having a bad day.
She was asking all kind of questions about the rest of my family, and she’s the one that got me all mixed up.
What did you do with that list I sent you. I wrote down everybody's name in the family and how they are related to you, so you can get them straight, in case you forgot.
I think somebody stole that list. You can’t keep nothing around this place. Everything disappears.
You do remember your daughter’s name is Christine, right?
Well, there are two Christines. That woman who comes over when I call her, and brings me things I need is named Christine. I think the other Christine is my mother. That woman said she is dead.
No, your mother’s name was Elaine. She is the one who is dead. There isn’t but one Christine. Christine is your daughter, and she's one you call to bring you the things you need.
That woman who comes over here, doesn’t look like my daughter. She looks more like my mother.
Your daughter, Christine is 72. I think she looks really good for her age. She is probably upset because you have forgotten she is your daughter. I think you are having a bad day. It is probably because the weather is overcast with high humidity. Do you know who I am?
Of course, I know who you are. You’re my first cousin, Beth. Why would you ask me if I know who you are? I can’t be expected to remember everything, but I’m not stupid. You call that woman for me, and straighten her out on who everybody is. She is the one who is all mixed up.
Oh Listen, I heard that sound. Somebody is trying to hear our phone call. I’m going to have to hang up. If that Christine woman comes back, I’ll tell her to call you, and you can explain to her who she is. You call me sometimes. I'm tired of having to do all the calling.
CLICK!
 Recognized |
#20 February 2024 |
This is close to true, with name changes. My cousin has been diagnosed with some dementia. Some days she has more trouble than others. I know it is sad, but at times, I'd rather laugh than cry. I'm her favorite person to talk too. Christine is her daughter, but she has trouble getting that straight.
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