AI proof of “The plan.”

Cover Letter for The Plan

The plot of the story is fictitious. It was inspired by my various attempts to break through my wife’s dementia.

THE PLAN

I remember the day was Wednesday when I decided how to celebrate my wife’s birthday, which was on that Friday, and I wanted to do something special with her. I decided to take her to Malverne, where she grew up, as a form of dementia therapy and socialization, besides. I just planned to go to the movie theater there and then eat at Ayrkes restaurant nearby. I knew, from previous experience, that it was not a good idea to visit the home she lived in until the day we married. I was afraid she would make a fuss remembering the house.

I decided we would go by train from Babylon to Malverne. Taking a taxi from our home in West Islip to the Babylon train station, I believed would add another form of socialization.

I reckoned Saturday was the better day to go since the train would not be as crowded as on a weekday. Also, I wasn’t sure whether a crowded train would upset her or not. It would be best, I thought, to tell her the plan. I wanted to add a little excitement to our adventure.

She was nervous when we got into the taxi. It settled her when I told her that the cab ride was part of her birthday present; she smiled at that. She was more relaxed while sitting next to the window on the train. I was not sure what she was thinking as she looked out at the scenery passing by; her demeanor was pensive. This part of the plan was a success!

It was a very short walk from the train station in Malverne to the movie House, which was a blessing for me since Carole acted like she had never been there before and was taken in all the sites. This part of the plan was a success, also. I bought the tickets and the popcorn and we made it to our seats without a hitch.

Since the lights were on and the movie hadn’t started, I decided I had to use the men’s room. She seemed OK with that, so I went to the men’s room.

By the time I got back, the lights were off and the movie had started. As I headed towards our seats, I quickly panicked. We sat in a section of the theater that had very few people and she wasn’t there. I thought she might have moved to a different seat, but that was not the case. I asked a woman worker in the concession area if she would check the ladies room for my wife. When the woman told me there was no one in the ladies bathroom, I panicked. I then asked her and the other employees if they saw a woman leave the theater. Their answers were “no.” Then I really panicked.

I surmised, when I had gone to the men’s room, Carole got mad and left; she didn’t usually panic.

She had gone to Ayrkes, I surmised, again hoping she would follow the plan.

I walked, no I ran to Ayrkes. I entered the restaurant and looked for her and then not seeing her I asked the maître d’ if she had seen a woman enter the restaurant and leave. She said yes; I was relieved. I asked her what direction my wife walked. I just knew it was to the train station. Carole followed the plan, but it was not with me!

I had to wait for the next train to Babylon since the ticket clerk told me the express train had just left the station going east. I had a gut feeling she was on that train. I relaxed somewhat, but I was still in the high alert mode! Since I had time before the next Babylon train arrived, I went to the nearby police station to report Carole missing. Once I explained that my wife had dementia, the desk sergeant immediately put out a call to all the police personnel on duty. I gave him all my contact information and a description of my wife, so I left to wait for the train. There was nothing more I could do.

When I got on the train, I went from one car to another to be sure Carole was not on the train; she wasn’t. I was a nervous wreck again, since my train was local which meant it stopped at every station before getting to Babylon. When the conductor punched my ticket, I asked him if the train before us was an express. His answer was “yes.” The question was one I couldn’t answer: “Did she make it home OK?” tormented me.

I thought that she must’ve asked the conductor if the train stopped at Babylon and how to get a ride home after she left the train. I had gone over the transportation plan a number of times with her, since I thought she might act up on the trains and in the taxis! I could only pray she made it home ok.

The taxi scheduler at one of the taxi stands had gotten a lady a ride home to our home address.

I was able to totally relax on the taxi ride home.

When I got to the house and noticed her jacket draped over a living room chair, I knew she was definitely home and I was very happy. But she had been home quite a while and I figured she was in bed sleeping. I decided I needed a “drink.” A large one of scotch and water was my choice.

Since I had been sweating profusely (it was January) through most of the adventure without her, I needed a shower before I went to bed. I quietly entered the darkened bedroom to get my PJs. After showering and putting on my PJ’s, I went back into the bedroom. Now the light was on, and she was awake and just looked at me, with a smile, and said, “Where have you been?” That was usually her invitation to something more intimate!

At that moment, I decided I was ready and I would notify the Malverne police station later!

Epilogue

Carole’s dementia in the story was taken from a period of time that Carole was in the earliest stages of dementia. Her later stages of dementia were manifested by the Sundown syndrome, and the constant need to go back to the house she was raised in. These symptoms were a prelude to a rapid decline in her physical and mental capabilities!