Burden

*-chapter six-*

The hospital called letting me know my mother has been put into involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation for like 48 hours. From then she can decide if she wants to go in their voluntary. I kinda hope she does, I want her to get better, I mean I don't know how long that would take but I'll doing anything for my mum to be happy.

Right now I'm sitting at the dining room forcing myself to eat a bowl of cereal. I'm also going. Through my mums phone just to call John. Scrolling through her contacts I find John's contact I give him a call, no answer, calling him again, still no answer. Sighing in frustration. I give him another call and leave a very very nice voice mail that went along the lines of "please answer you phone, you lazy drunk, I know your in so random bar, but mums in the hospital". There might have been more of it but I leave that as it is.

Now grabbing my phone, I call my boss ring ring ring
""Hey sweetie," I say, smiling at the nickname she gave me. I've been working here since I turned 14, so it's been 7-8 years. "Hey Joanne, I've come down with some nasty virus. I won't be coming in today, tomorrow, and maybe the day after that," I make my voice rasp, forcing out a cough for effect. I hear a sigh from the other line. "Are you sure it has nothing to do with your mother in the hospital?" I furrow my brows. "How did you know?"

"Bob fell off the ladder again; I saw you there. I'm so sorry. You take as long as you need off."

"Thanks, Jo," with that, I press the red button, grateful for her understanding during these difficult times.

Completing my breakfast routine, I carefully wash my bowl, contemplating the day ahead. As I walk over, I grab my purse, the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders as I head out the door. Today's agenda is not just about daily tasks; it involves ensuring that my mother can come home, which means I must meticulously check and stock up on her medications.

My mother has been diagnosed with a mental disorder that presents numerous challenges, a daily battle she faces with remarkable resilience. There was a pivotal moment, a year ago, when she decided that the pills meant to help her were, in fact, detrimental to her beautiful mind. In a bold move, she opted to go pill-free for an entire month. While her highs during that period were relatively okay, the lows became overwhelming and challenging for me.

After catching the bus, I get off at the stop near the chemist. Walking in I pick up her monthly pills, i figured that I need to go shopping for the necessities. Walking 5 minutes to the supermarket.

ith a trolley in tow, I make my way down every aisle, prioritizing the specific foods my mother prefers alongside her medication. It's a mission to ensure we don't run out of the essentials she relies on for both comfort and well-being.

Navigating through the aisles, I find myself in the last one, and there he is again, the tall and mysterious stranger who seems to have unwittingly become a recurring character in my mundane grocery shopping adventures. Now, I consider myself a big hopeless romantic, the kind who often imagines chance encounters leading to cinematic love stories. However, in this particular moment, my whimsical fantasies take a back seat to the pressing realities of life.

I remind myself that a silly crush should be the least of my concerns right now. I walk past him, focusing on the mundane task at hand — reaching the register. As the cashier scans my items, I can't help but wince at the total: a whopping $78.90. Grocery shopping has a way of draining both the cart and the wallet, doesn't it?

Gathering all the bags, I embark on my journey to the bus stop, the weight of my purchases somehow feeling more burdensome than usual. Finding a seat in the middle of the bus, I settle in, surrounded by the humdrum chatter of fellow commuters. The rhythmic motion of the bus becomes a backdrop for my thoughts, and I decide to let my mind wander, seeking solace in the frivolous.

As the cityscape outside the bus window transforms into a blur, I allow myself a moment of whimsy. Thoughts of the charming stranger dance in my mind, a fleeting escape from the complexities of reality. The gentle sway of the bus becomes a lullaby, and for now, I'm content to let the mundane fade away, replaced by the enchantment of a fanciful daydream. It's a brief respite before I return to the more pressing matters that await me, a conscious choice to savor the whimsy amidst life's chaos.

With the charming stranger's image still lingering in my thoughts, I arrive home, bags in tow, and a receipt in my wallet reminding me of the costly grocery expedition. The door creaks open, revealing the familiarity of my living space. As I step inside, the weight of both the bags and the worries seems to intensify. The dim glow of the hallway light highlights every detail, including the photographs that line the walls – those attempts from my younger years to bring a touch of joy to my mother's world. The journey from the bus stop to my doorstep has left me reflective, contemplating the intricacies of life.

Heading to the kitchen, I begin the process of unpacking the groceries. The clink of cans and rustle of plastic bags fill the air as I meticulously organize the items. The total on the receipt echoes in my mind, a reminder that even the mundane has its costs.

The silence of the home feels both comforting and unsettling. I contemplate the journey from the grocery store, from the bus ride filled with transient musings, back to the heart of my existence. The bags are unpacked, the groceries stored, and the echoes of the charming stranger slowly dissipate. Now, with the weight of both reality and reverie settled in my mind, I find myself standing in the middle of my living room. The photographs on the walls tell stories of the past, and the bags on the floor symbolize the present. It's a quiet moment, a pause before I dive back into the complexities of life, my thoughts no longer carried away by whimsy but anchored in the realities that demand my attention.

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Unedited
Hello
I wanted this to be like a filler chapter, yes you might think knowing she went shopping is useless, I want it to be like she has stuff to do you know, like instead of making this story all about her mother or her job