Alice and Bob live together and they both have ADHD. They are delightfully neuro-spicy. Claire lives with them. She doesn’t have ADHD. Poor Claire.
One day Claire is out, and the toilet roll is running low. It’s up to Alice and Bob to change it. How do they get on?
Step 1. Fetch the toilet roll
The loo roll has two sheets left. Alice uses it, then spins the empty tube in a distracted haze while she continues to sit on the toilet. She comes back to the real world, and notices the potential hygiene deficit. Alice is a lovely person, and trots off to fetch another roll, not wanting Bob or Claire to be left wanting for this most intimate of necessities.
Alice returns with a single roll. She considered bringing several, but it will be at least three days till it runs out, so that’s in the distant future and not worth considering. Alice places the toilet roll on top of the cistern, but then loses interest and doesn’t unwrap it or put it on the holder.
Alice has exceeded all expectations.
Step 2. Unwrap the toilet roll
Bob is in next. His heart sinks when he sees the empty toilet roll tube on the holder. He ineffectually scans the smallest room for alternatives, and considers fishing something out of the bin to use instead. Fortunately he notices the loo roll on the cistern before he has to take such drastic action.
He gratefully unwraps the roll, drops the packaging on the floor, wipes and wanders out. He forgets to wash his hands, or perhaps he can’t be bothered. It’s not clear.
Bob has not exceeded expectation.
Step 3. Put the toilet roll on the holder
Alice again. Once finished she puts the loo roll on the holder, washes her hands and goes out, leaving the toilet in a better state than when she found it.
The packaging is still on the floor.
Step 4. Put the packaging in the bin
Claire comes home and immediately sees the packaging thrown on the bathroom floor. She puts the packaging in the bin along with all the empty cardboard tubes which have been collecting on the cistern for weeks. She also goes and gets six more toilet rolls and puts them under then sink, but in her heart she knows that Alice and Bob will never think to look there.
She sighs and wishes she lived with David who always tidies up after himself. David doesn’t exist.
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Any similarities to individuals living or dead is purely confidential, and this story in no way reflects my current living situation. Any parallels drawn between Alice, Bob and Claire and my family is totally misguided. And we don’t live with David. Unfortunately.
Photo by Colourblind Kevin on Unsplash
