I go upstairs to charge my phone. The battery is completely dead! I walk into the bedroom and spot the laundry basket.
“Hm, I should do a load of laundry,” I say, maybe even out loud.
I start sorting the clothes. I find a pencil among them. Thus, I take it to the office, where a thirsty, drooping plant stares at me accusingly. I grab the water bottle next to it and start watering all the plants on this floor. Then, I remember the ones downstairs and head down slowly.
There, I hear one of my kids coughing. I suddenly remember I bought a new cough syrup! I go to the medicine cabinet and start organising everything by category. The kid coughs again. So, I finally take the syrup and go to the kitchen sink to wash the measuring cup. There, I see two used coffee cups. I want to put them in the dishwasher, but it is full of clean dishes. So I put everything away.
In the cupboard, I find some coconut biscuits hidden from the kids. Sneakily, I eat one, trying not to rustle the package, then I feel guilty. Kid #2 catches me with my mouth full and wants what I have. But, I offer him an apple instead. So, I open the fridge and wonder what to make for dinner. Therefore, I take out some chicken breast and put it on the counter, but then realise I don’t have any broccoli. I need to call my husband and ask him to stop by the supermarket.
I spot the water bottle for the plants again. I pick it up and start watering the ones downstairs.
Kid: “Mom, my apple???”
I shove the chicken back in the fridge and grab an apple.
Wait, why did I come here again? Ahhh, the plants!
I feel like I forgot something.
I go upstairs to jog my memory. Halfway up, I get tired and stop to catch my breath, sitting on the stairs. When I finally reach the top, I see the laundry sitting by the basket.
“That’s it! Now I have to go up one more floor… and I’m panting like I’m climbing Everest!!!”
I get to the washing machine to add detergent, only to realise I don’t have any clothes in my hands. I pour in the detergent first, then go into the kids’ rooms to grab their laundry baskets. I step on a Lego and start picking them up through clenched teeth. Then I drag myself back down to the bedroom for the rest of the clothes.
I’m exhausted. I go to sit on the bed, but it’s a mess. Thanks, kids. I robotically straighten the sheets, then collapse and lie there motionless, losing track of time.
From downstairs, I hear coughing. “Did I give him the syrup?”
“Mom, where are you??? I’m hungry!!!”
“What did I do with that chicken?” I wonder.
“Ughhh, and I still don’t have any broccoli.”
I hear the front door open and excited voices.
“Alina, I called to ask what to get from the supermarket, but seriously, what do you even do with your phone?!”