When Insomnia Strikes Again
Midnight
- Relax, woman. Stop moving. Breathe. Nope, not comfy.
- Did I put the leftovers in the fridge? Yes. I did. I’m pretty sure I did.
- I need to crack my right knee. Ah, that’s better.
- We’re almost out of coffee. I should go write it down or I’ll forget, but if I move now, I’ll never sleep. Never mind coffee.
- Who coughed? They can’t get ill now; we’re out of coughing syrup.
- What is that cat doing? Please, please, please don’t wake the dog. I beg of you.
One a.m.
- Is that a mosquito? Bugger, I forgot to plug in the smelly bug thingy.
- What should I cook tomorrow? Something easy. Pasta? No, not pasta again. Maybe some rice.
- My belly hurts. Why does my belly hurt? I’m sure I have an ulcer with all that stress. I need to calm down. Could be the beans though… yep, probably the beans.
- The tissue box is empty. I need to add it to the list. Tissues. Tissues. Tissues.
- What did I need to add to the list? I really should keep a pen and some paper next to the bed.
- Is that water dripping somewhere?
- Bloody cat. He threw something…
- And where is Eldest? What time is the last metro?
- I’m thirsty.
Two a.m.
- Where is that boy?
- Maybe I’ll make potatoes tomorrow… or pasta.
- My lower back is so sore. That can’t be normal. I should google it.
- I’ll get some meat to make with the pasta. And tomatoes… cheese… That supermarket list is getting longer by the minute. That’s going to turn into at least £100. Maybe we need to calm down with meat… and coffee… No, not coffee.
- Argh cramp. Argh. No, stupid cat, I’m not wiggling my toes for you to play with!
- What’s that noise? There’s someone outside. OMG what should I do? Oh, Eldest is back. Good, I can sleep now.
- I need a pee.
Three a.m.
- Why is a bird singing? What time is it?
- Might as well go have a cigarette, then. Sleep is overrated anyway.
- Wow, that’s a weird cloud. Was that star here before?
- No, Cat, there’s no way in hell I’m feeding you and we are so not playing hide and seek right now. You lunatic. Don’t you dare bite me. Ouch. Nasty creature.
- Eldest is trying to kill me, leaving his shoes right there, in the middle. It stinks of tobacco. Has the boy been smoking? Wait, no… that’s just me.
- Arghhh. Fine, Dog, I’m coming. Where are my shoes?
- Might as well feed the cat while I’m here then.
Four a.m.
- I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.
- There’s definitely someone coughing.
- So, rice tomorrow. What with though?
- I’ve got a headache now. That’s a lot of symptoms. Something’s wrong with me. I should google that too…
- I should not have googled it.
- I’ll have to go to the chemist and the supermarket. New list: coughing syrup. Maybe I’ll get some vitamins or something to help me sleep. Better not, that stuff is addictive. I’ll buy beers instead.
- I need to pee again and I’m thirsty. Do I have diabetes? When was the last time I had a blood test? It’s at least two years ago, maybe three.
Five a.m.
- Now my ovaries hurt. And here comes the night sweat. I’m not loving this perimenopause business.
- Oh, hello there sweet cat, cuddle time.
Seven a.m.
- I need coffee…
About:
Delphine Gauthier-Georgakopoulos is a Breton writer, teacher, mother, nature and music lover, foodie, dreamer. She loves butter, needs coffee, hates easy opening packaging, and likes to create stories in her head. She lives in Athens, Greece. Twitter: @DelGeo14
