Mom and I sat with Monga at a table covered by puzzle pieces. We were trying to organize them by edges and colors. Monga was helping by picking up pieces and putting them in her mouth. Then, she'd spit them onto the table and stare at the soggy cumulus cardboard.
"You don't eat it, Monga," I said.
"It's a puzzle," Mom added, "You used to love doing puzzles".
"I did?" Monga asked. Mom and I nodded.
A few minutes passed. Mom and I sorted puzzle pieces. Monga stared far away, unblinking.
"What's this?" she asked finally.
"It's a puzzle," I answered.
"You used to love doing puzzles," Mom added.
"I did?" Monga asked, putting the puzzle in her mouth.
Nice use of words to describe what Monga was doing. "Soggy cumulus cardboard." Such a descriptive touch. You captured her forgetfulness and alzheimer's kicking in.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this has a very matter-of-fact Brautigan tone. Short and sweet and I feel what you are saying.
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