Baby's first typed words

jknj nn b

Why

When someone dies from diabetes, no one questions why. No one says, why didn't I see this coming? The reason? Because no one ever says to a diabetic, you don't need that insulin. Therapy will be enough. You just need to be stronger. It's all in your head. You just need a good beating.

We don't deny that they are sick.

These days I seek out music by artists who killed themselves. My father, he says that the music I listen to is depressing. He says, "it makes me want to kill myself." He says, "it makes me want to drag a razor blade across my wrist."

But I'm sure the answer is in there somewhere. Not, why didn't we see this coming, but rather, how can we make sure it doesn't happen again.

An answer that I am quite desperate to have.

What happened

You seem to know a lot about how we do things here.

Used to be a nurse.

What happened?

Got caught.

It's time to get ready for bed

My mother has been deteriorating for some time. The falls, the memory lapses. But her recent stay in that rehab centre after breaking her leg, she's no longer able to care for herself. She needs to be told it's supper time. It's time to go to the washroom. Don't use that facecloth to wipe yourself. You need to wash your hands now. You need to use soap.

I'm there almost every day and every night waiting for her to be placed somewhere.

My brother, who cared for her from Saturday afternoon until Sunday afternoon, what a swell guy, insists that she can prepare herself for bed. That she doesn't have to be watched the entire time. So, tonight, I say to her, "it's time to get ready for bed, mum." And then I let her go the washroom by herself.

When I check in on her, to make sure she's using toothpaste, I see her holding the nail scrubber in her mouth, brushing back and forth. The scrubber going in and out, I can see that the bristles are covered in red.

I rush in and grab the nail scrubber out of her hands. The red is creamy and thick, and next to the sink I can see that her lipstick container is open.

I slap her face. "This isn't what you brush your teeth with!"

She looks up at me, her eyes wide, "what did you do that for?"

This time when I slap her, I make sure to tell her not to talk back to me and to brush her teeth properly this time.

Powers

By day, you can find me walking around the office. I'm easy to spot with my dazzling blue eyes and my good looks. Or, possibly, you can find me out at a local restaurant around lunchtime, dining with my wife. She's easy to spot as well, she'll be the one smiling and laughing, saying, "oh hubby", after my work time anecdotes.

By night, finding me is a little harder. But under the right circumstances, I might find you. I'll be the one in the mask and cape. Using the powers I was born with, powers greater than the average, to make sure that the laws are maintained, that justice prevails.