Things to Remember, Things to Forget
written by: Atefeh Rasouli
Now the stench is mixed with a faint smell of lavender, no better than before. Everyone has started complaining, but no one in the building really has the heart to tell him. It is surely the litter box. It must be. He has been neglecting it for a few days now. He told his next-door neighbour too, when he bumped into him on his way back from the grocery shop this morning.
“Don’t worry. I’m cleaning it today. See?” he said as he held up the heavy bag of cat litter with both hands for the young man to see. But how could he not worry?
He sets the lavender air freshener above the mantel, next to three framed pictures of his grandchildren along with a Christmas card. He’s been meaning to frame that one too. The room feels as peaceful as always. The mid-July sun peaks in through the blinds and leaves warm and orange stripes on the washed-out carpet. That’s Marmalade’s napping spot. He should clean her litter box today. Right after he finds some Gaviscon. His stomach has been upset for the past few days. They say it’s a sign of old age. That and the other thing.
Marmalade’s food bowl is empty again. It’s right there in the corner of the room, next to all the outdated magazines. He should fill her bowl. “Cat food is in the kitchen cabinet.” For some reason he has been whispering it to himself all day. Perhaps because of all the post its. They’re all over the house. To remind him to take his pills, to remind him that lunch is in the blue container in the fridge, to remind him to clean the litter box. He must write another one. Two new ones actually. One to remember to buy more lavender air freshener and another one to remember to take Marmalade to the vet to find out why she is not meowing.
As the day slowly drags on like a wary traveller, the sun shifts off Marmalade’s spot and the litter box remains in the corner of the room, untouched.
- Things to Remember, Things to Forget - June 6, 2025
