Delirium sucks.

So a fractured pelvis should be very high on your "No way, don't want" list. It has become so on mine. But it turns out that was the least of our issues. She had what is called sundowners or hospital delirium. Basically it means my sweet friendly 78 year old mother (unable to walk or get out of bed) went bat-shit crazy to the point they called security on her. That didn't help AT ALL. (Please note me refraining from a rant.)

I made the executive decision last Sunday (Oct 24th) to bring her home, no matter what. Cue a mad rush to get a hospital bed, wheelchair, more help at home, and everything else set up. I know I can be a bulldozer, when people I love are in danger, I'm much more of a guided missile.

So that means she's home and doing much better in a familiar location - however she can't walk. Which means multiple ups and downs all night long to help her go to the bathroom. I never had kids, so I'm telling all you parents - you're crazy. I'm exhausted, sleep deprived, and terrified I'm not doing it right. Parent's don't get anywhere near enough respect or wariness. You all are nuts and liable to go off on a person, mad respect.

That being said she is (after two weeks) able to transfer herself to the wheelchair and that has made my sleep much easier, which means I get to go Vegas. (Note we have a full time aide and my brother and sister-in-law live here too). Now don't think this is a vacation, I'm heading out to the 20Booksto50k conference. My hope is to learn how to be better. A better writer, business person, and marketer. Fingers crossed.

I can't thank you enough for your words of support and kindness. I might actually survive this. Maybe.

While you wait for my Vegas report, check out this book - The Descendant. Aliens, apocalypse, and life in danger, sounds an awful lot like my Kaylid Chronicles.

Here is your microstory for the week. Sometimes my own writing makes me smile.

To Bars

Mary sat on the tower, watching the zombies below. The world had ended months ago, but yet here she sat on her 21st birthday, alone. So much for dreams of a life. She dashed at the tears trickling down her face. It was stupid to be crying. She was alive. What more could she ask for? A safe place, food for years, with friends and family. So many others didn't have that.

It was still a sucky 21st birthday.

"Yo! Mary!"

She looked back to see Curtis climbing the tower, his backpack hanging off one shoulder.

"Hey, Curtis," she sad, her voice morose. He was nice enough but not her type. Too gangly, silly, still bemoaning the lack of football games and tailgating. What she wouldn't give for a charged e-reader full of books she'd never read.

He climbed up on the ledge next to her, his long legs dangling below her practical combat boots.

"So I got word today was your birthday, your 21st," he said, not looking at her, but instead at the zombies below.

"Yeah, some birthday. Bars everywhere," she muttered waving at the bars surrounding their base, keeping them safe.

"True. But no reason you should miss out on a rite of passage." He dug into his backpack, pulling out two pint mason jars and a bottle of rum.

"Rum? Where'd you get that?" Alcohol was precious, and most of it had been drank in the last few months.

"Dad. He's going to be so mad when he finds it missing." He poured a hefty splash into each jar and handed her one.

"To bars everywhere," he said with a smile and lifted the jar.

Mary grinned and lifted hers. "To bars everywhere." She sipped the potent liquor. Maybe Curtis wasn't so bad after all.

This one was 300 words, but I enjoyed it. Vegas here I come!

Mel

Remaining schedule for 2021:

20Booksto50kVegas - November

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