What's Up Doc?

O N E

I remember it like it was yesterday. Ironically.
1996~ Flashback.

I had taken the boys to the park to play that evening after school but it wasn't an ordinary evening, no. That evening was different.
"Mom push me" Gabe said as he dangled his feet on the swing trying to give himself that boost.
"Alright here we go" I pushed mighty hard and he was off, swinging like there was no tomorrow. Stepping back to let him enjoy his ride I glance over at Chris sitting by the treehouse. He's studying for a quiz he has on Monday. My boys will be something great one day. I smile to myself and he caught me staring and smiles back.

"Mom, are you gonna cook up our favorite this evening or what?" Gabe asked on our way home at around 5:20pm.
"I'll cook whatever you boys like" I smile and held onto his hand tight.
"Take your head out of that book now son, it ain't safe to walk and read" I scolded Chris and he immediately closed the book and paid full attention to where he's going.
"Sorry mom"
"It's okay son" I run my fingers through his hair and smile.

We get home and I open up the door to let the boys in before I turn and move the plant out of the shade to get that evening sun before it goes on down.
"Alright boys, wash up and come down for dinner a little later" I said hanging up the coats they threw on the couch and go into the kitchen to wash my hands and start dinner.

I hum along to an old tune, one my mom use to play every sunday when I was a little girl.

Oh and the sun that shines bright
It's such a sweet delight
To have you, oh dear, right next to me
And the kisses oh so sweet
You my dear are such a treat
Oh baby, baby don't let me go.

I push the apple pie into the oven for dessert and prep the plates for the creamed potatoes and tuna gravy. The boys' favorite. I took off my apron and sat at the table thinking about life. Bills to be paid, work getting stressful, kids growing up and need school supplies, the house in need of few repairs and even the old tractor needs fixing up for next month's harvest. Oh boy, so much to do with such little pay.

I exhale and run my palms over my face.
"Mom is dinner ready?" I look up and see Gabe sucking on his thumb.
"Yes dear, please call your brother" he dashed back upstairs to do so and I get up to share the food.

"How's school boys?" I ask to break the silence at the table.
"I learnt about caterpillars today mom and how they turn into beautiful butterflies! Can we get a caterpillar mom? Can we? Oh can we?" Gabe asks enthusiastically.
"Oh dear I'm sure they're some in the garden out front" I giggle and he smiles and says,
"I'm gonna have a pet caterpillar Chris" Chris nods but hasn't taken his eyes out of the book as yet.
"How about you Chris?"
"Oh um, school? It's good, just have a lot of work to do" I smile and nod.
"Well you both need to work hard for what you want and never give up, you hear me?" I say and they both look up and nod.
"Good, now finish up and off to bed"
After they ate, I cut the apple pie that I had no intentions of cutting tonight, and gave piece to the boys who begged me to do so. They ate, brushed their teeth and went straight to bed.

Chris is 12 and Gabe is 9. They're both extraordinary boys and I love them so dearly. The house is now dark and the only light is the television I just turned on to see tonight's programme and the moon that's shining through the window behind it. It's now 10:05pm and the boys are asleep and tucked in. I leave the television on and head over to the closet to grab my nighty then take a quick shower.
"Hey honey" I hear as I exit the bathroom. It's my husband Frank. He just got in from working down at the mill.
"Hi dear, how was work?" I ask pecking his lips gently. From the look he has on his face, I can tell it was another hectic day.
"It was exhausting but I've gotta keep going, someone needs to provide for us" he replies with a smile.

I work at the market place in town, just 5 minutes away from our home. The pay isn't good but it helps in cases where the harvest may not be able to cover, otherwise it goes towards savings for the kids and emergencies.

"Take it easy dear, don't stress yourself out" I hold his cheeks and look into his eyes.
"I'll be fine Martha, don't worry too much about me" he holds my small hands and kisses them. I smile and hug him.

"Dear, did you see where I put my journal?" I search frantically for it as Frank lays trying to sleep. The clock reads 3:45am and I can't find it anywhere. Frank sits up in bed.
"Honey what are you doing?" he asks drowsily and I begin to worry.
"Where is it, I know it's around here somewhere" I reply as I continue to search.
"Where's what?"
"My journal Frank! My journal!" Frank turns on the lamp and rubs his eyes.
"Honey, come back to bed, you can read your journal in the morning"
"No! I want it now! Help me!"
"Martha it's late, come back to bed please, I'll help you find it in the morning" he says now awake.
"Frank, I need it now, I know it's somewhere around here, if only.... I could..... Remember"

Frank gets out of bed and approaches me.
"Honey, what's wrong?" he hold my shoulders gently.
"My journal, I can't find it" At this moment I start to cry.
"Honey look at me" I do so and he has a worried look on his face.
"Your journal is in the drawer on the nightstand, remember you put it there after you read it this morning, it's not lost, you're just tired so come—" I push off his hand and open the drawer. My journal looked up at me and I took it out and opened it.
"Honey are you okay?" Frank asks and I look over at him and smile and nod.
"I am, thanks dear" I say and place my focus back on my journal.

I awake to the sound of birds chirping and the sun piercing through the yellow curtains.
"Good morning honey" Frank says with a smile holding a tray with toast and eggs and orange juice.
"Thank you dear" he places the tray on my lap and kisses my forehead.
"Honey, are you okay?" he asks sitting beside me and I smile and nod.
"Are you sure? Because last night, well this morning you didn't seem so" I looked at him and back to the tray.
"Martha this isn't the first time you've done that, you did it last week too" he says and I sigh.
"Are you pregnant?" he asks and I look at him.
"No dear, but you're right, I'm not myself and I'll get a check up today" I smile and Frank nods and kisses my forehead once more then leaves.

The boys are with their father while I head over to the doctor's office.
"Good morning Mrs.Reed" the doctor greets me
"Good morning" I smile
"Okay, let's begin"

After the check up, I wait outside for the results and after an hour of waiting he calls me back in.
"Well Martha I have some good news and bad news" I look at him with worried eyes and his in turn looks worried too.

I'm walking to the bus stop to catch a bus home and my mind is all over the place. I don't know how to break the news to the family but I have to. I get home quickly and walk slowly up the walk path.
"Hey honey, how'd it go?" I hear Frank ask from the kitchen. Chris and Gabe are sitting on the couch watching television.
"Can you come out here dear?" I ask and he soon after does so. The television is switched off and all eyes are on me.
"Okay kids, I have some good news and some bad news"
"You got me a caterpillar?" Gabe asks and I laugh slightly.
"No dear, the good news is that it's not severe"
"What's not severe?" Chris asks and I sit.
"I have slight amnesia"
"What's amnesia mom?" Gabe asks and I laugh
"It's when you forget things a lot and you can't remember easily like others" I try explaining to my 9 year old son.
"Oh, does that mean you'll forget me?" he asks and I frown.
"No Gabe, never, I will never forget you guys, none of you" I look at Frank who seems to be in a zone.

"You'll be fine honey, I promise" Frank smiles and hugs me. I hug back. I look at my two sons and gave them a reassuring smile, returning one from each of them.