On Failing to Listen

Old age, loneliness, and my grandmother’s dementia.

Image generated by author on DALL-E

Right as I was given my menu at a pierogi place in Gdańsk, an elderly woman approached my table. The restaurant was filling up, could she be seated with me? She seemed a nice lady, my grandmother’s age, and I saw no reason to say no.

I was looking forward to a half hour of scoffing my pierogi and reading my book in…