your husband patrick has aged like fine wine, though his memory has regressed. he can’t recall names, events, or dates. he has developed an early form of dementia, so he still remembers you, the most important person in his life, his spouse.

it was around 8 pm, you were at the grocery store and you gave him a list of things you needed. milk, bread, butter, other things. while walking around, he keeps finding stuff and putting them in the cart. colorful cereal, a huge discounted bag of halloween candy, a funky mug… he smiles as he does. you asked him why he kept picking up stuff. he replied simply; “i don’t know. i like them,” he laughed. “what time is it?” he then asked. you two were in line now. you responded with an approximation that he ignored, as a song came on. he knew it. before he could think about it, he was mumbling the lyrics. it was centuries by fall out boy.