We Must Do Something About Dad

Where am I?

What was I doing at five o’clock?

It’s nine o’clock now.

Four hours.

What have I been doing for four hours?

Don’t panic.

I know the woman in that picture.

Right, where’s the door.

Gawd my knees hurt.

This is the kitchen.

The gas cooker is off, the kettle is cold.

There’s food in the fridge.

That’s the front door.

Don’t go outside, you won’t find your way back.

This is the bedroom, the bed’s made.

Where was I last?

Oh no! Have I left the bath running?

No, thank Christ.

Right, stop breathing so fast.

I’ve been in the kitchen, haven’t I?

Front room; go into the front room.

Look in the book, there must be something in the book.

The names, I don’t know any of the names.

Doesn’t matter, just call one.

“Hello!”

“Hello!”

“Do I know you?”

“Yes Dad its Gillian.”

“Do you know me?”

“Dad its Gillian, I'm your daughter.”

“You know me?”

“Yes Dad, Its Gillian.”

“I don’t know where I am.”

“You’re at home Dad; I came to see you at five o’clock.”

“We had tea and a sandwich.”

“Why are you up so late?”

“Have you taken your sleeping tablet?”

“I don’t know where I am; will you come and see me?”

“Dad I can’t leave the kids, Terry is still at work.”

“I know you, do I?”

“Yes Dad its Gillian, Five o’clock remember?”

“I’ll come over in an hour Dad, when Terry gets home.”

“Ok, I do know you, don’t I?”

“Yes Dad, I Love you Dad.”

“Do you?”

“What do you look like?”

“I’m in the photograph on the wall Dad.”

“Go to the toilet and have a lay down in bed.”

“Go to bed?”

“Yes Dad go to bed, I’ll be over in an hour.”

“You love me?”

“Yes Dad, I Love you.”

“Where am I?”

© Stephen Pullman 2011