Mom Never Asks for Favors, But She Did Today…

“My back and leg are killing me,” mom said this afternoon on the phone. She sounded so tired.  “Your father says it’s because I am so fat.  Will you go with me to the grocery store and to your father’s pharmacy to help get everything?”

“Sure,” I replied. “Do you want me to pick you up or will you pick me up?”

“I will be over in a minute,” mom said. “Let me fix my hair. I want to see the puppy.”

Mom picked me up and we drove to the pharmacy first to do some shopping.  Mom had to get a check from dad from my disability account for my groceries.  Mom also had a case of paper towels to pick up that Judy had ordered for Helen, and she also had to get her prescriptions filled. I got some razor blades, a case of diet Sprite, and three packs of toilet paper while we were there.  Dad was behind the counter smiling warily at his “mentally interesting” crew as he calls us.  I talked briefly to dad about painting the inside of my house.  He has a credit account next door at Hayes’ Hardware and I wanted to get some paint and brushes.  I am hoping my disability money will pay for it.  Charlie painted every room in my house the same drab olive color and it has grown old.  I also want to finish painting all my trim a cream color as well. 

“How much do you think it will cost?” dad asked apprehensively.

“Not much,” I replied very optimistically. “I will be doing all the work.”

“Bring me all the receipts so I can see what your spending,” dad finally told me, giving in. “I don’t want a big surprise when they send me the bill at the end of the month.”

We then drove to get my groceries.  Mom had two pages of recipes and ingredients to give to me as we started shopping.  I did all the hard work and she just pushed the cart around having to stop every so often to rest.  We got all the ingredients to fix her lasagna, spaghetti, tangy chicken, sour cream and mushroom chicken, and beef lo mien.  Mom got to feeling better after we got out and about and she exercised her leg some. 

“It sure helps when you go to buy groceries with me,” she told me thankfully as I pushed the buggy out to her car. “You need to go with me every week.”

I told her I would be glad to.  I always thought I was a third wheel and got in her way.  We then headed to the optometrist to pick up my six month’s supply of contacts.

“I forgot all about your contacts even though I wrote it on my calendar,” mom told me very worriedly. “Your two month’s overdo for your disposables. It’s a wonder your eyeballs aren’t rolling out of your head.”

I laughed. Things like this just don’t even enter my mind.  My mother is so keen on the details.  She even keeps a separate calendar for Maggie’s healthcare and has added Caramel as well.  We got in a small argument over who would pay for the contacts, though.  It was $160 dollars for six pair.  I pulled out my debit card to pay, but mom insisted on writing a check.  I finally gave in when she looked at me sternly and blew loudly, tired of my arguing.

“I am just not feeling well physically these days,” mom told me as I drove her Honda back to my house. “Will you drive me down to Connie’s tomorrow in Auburn?”

“Sure!” I replied. “What time is the appointment?”

“Three o’ clock Auburn time,” mom said. “Four our time.”

Connie is mom’s soft tissue therapist which dad says is a glorified and expensive back massage. Mom exclaims that it works wonders for her leg and back and has been seeing Connie for close to fifteen years.  We both agreed it would be nice to eat an early supper at Red Lobster while we were down there.

“I want you to drive so I can have a few Margaritas!” mom said as she started to laugh.

Mom never drinks so this interested me greatly.  Mom and dad have both been teetotalers for the majority of my life.  I just laughed and told her I would be glad to drive and give her a break.  It would be my treat and I look forward to going with her tomorrow.

Well, I am off to the hardware store to pick out paint colors and to grab some paint and painting supplies.  I hope this will be an interesting new hobby for me if you can call painting the inside of your house a hobby.