Libby's Diagnosis ~ Fiction Friday

It is time once again for Friday Fiction, this week hosted by Dee at her My Heart’s Dee-Light blog. This was another entry in the FaithWriters Weekly Challenge. It was a lot of fun to write and revealed just a bit of my newest affliction. The topic had to do with Concentration. If you would like to read more great fiction, or participate, please go to Fiction Friday. I hope you enjoy the story.

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“Libby,” called Steve as he walked in the door, “I’m home, where are you?”

“In the kitchen, Steve. I’m getting dinner ready,” Libby called back toward the front of the house.

“So, did you see the doctor today?”

“Yeah, I saw him. It was crazy there. They were really busy so there was a long wait, and with the boys wanting to run around, I was nearly pulling my hair out.”

“Ok…?”

“Ok, what?”

“Libby, what did the doctor say?” asked Steve with a touch of frustration creeping into his voice.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Libby. “He said… Hey! Tommy, get off your brother! I told you, no wrestling in the house! I swear they are wearing me out. Hold on, I just need to get this in the oven. Oh no, I forgot to preheat it. Ugh!” Libby turned the oven to preheat, turned to look at Steve and frowned. “What were we talking about?”

“The doctor, Libby, we were talking about the doctor!”

“Oh right, the doctor. Ok, well he said what I have is not uncommon, it happens to most women and it’s chronic, but not terminal. No need for a CAT scan or any other medical testing. It’s, well it’s silly really…” Libby felt herself getting flustered, as she turned back to the oven.

“What is it? Is there a name for this common, female affliction of yours?” Steve was clearly frustrated now because he just wanted an honest answer.

“Well, yeah,” answered Libby, “it’s called momnesia. It happens to moms all the time apparently. It’s always been around, but with life today being so fast-paced and chaotic they see it more. So, I can remember everything about the boys, where their stuff is, what sizes they wear, and where I put all the little ‘presents’ they give me day to day. If it’s about them, I can remember it. But I can’t remember to make appointments, pay the bills, where I put my keys, to turn on the oven and a billion other things I used to remember on a regular basis. I can’t even remember our phone number half the time, but I sure know the names of all their stuffed animals and the words to all those silly Veggie Tale’s songs!”

Steve quickly turned toward the refrigerator, to hide the smile that was starting to form on his face. “Well, I guess it’s a relief that it’s not something serious,” he said, trying to keep the laughter from his voice, as he opened the refrigerator door.

“Not serious? I can’t remember anything, my concentration is totally shot!” Libby exclaimed in frustration.

“Yeah, but you’re a good mom and wife,” he said as he pulled a cold bottle of water out. “So what if you forget things, like that you put your cell phone in the refrigerator…”

“I what?” Libby turned quickly to see him holding both a cold bottle of water and her now cold cell phone. “I don’t understand, how did that… Oh, I was going to call you earlier to tell you this, but I wanted to grab a water. I guess I must have put the phone down when I picked the bottle up. See, this is just awful!”

Steve wasn’t able to hide the laughter anymore. He then walked to where Libby was standing and gave her a hug. “It’s okay, if you can’t remember anything. I love you and I’ll take care of you, even if it means I have to get you a pet tag with our address and phone number on it,” he said with a big smile.

“Stop it, it’s not funny!” said Libby as she lightly punched him on the arm. Even as she said it though, she too was starting to laugh. “Ok, I guess it kind of is. You still love me?”

“Yeah, I still love you. But umm, I was wondering something. Are we going to eat anytime tonight?”

Libby looked at the meatloaf, still sitting on the countertop and groaned. Rolling her eyes, she said, “Oh man, now I forgot to put it in the oven! Remember, you still love me.”

“How could I forget? I’m not the one with momnesia!” Steve said as he ran out of the kitchen, knowing she was a good aim with the water sprayer at the sink.