Short-Sighted

"King Ben," Noah grins from behind the counter. "Nice to see you again."

"How many times do I need to tell you," he walks up to him. "It's just Ben here."

"Of course," he nods down. "What can I help you with today?"

Ben wets his lips, "I am having memory problems. I think I remember there being something for that."

He nods, before he points to the side wall, "They're going to be over there."

Ben walks over before scanning through them, "You like any of these?"

Noah shakes his head, "I don't know a lot about those, actually. Sorry."

He compares a couple, sighing, before he pulls out his phone, muttering in French, "Stupid English."

"Need help?" Noah switches over.

Ben eyes him, "You know French?"

He shrugs, "Enough."

Ben hesitates, "Can you, uh… read these to me?"

Noah frowns, "Sure." before he walks over to him. Ben hands over the two cases, and he meets his hazel green eyes. "First off. I can tell you without even looking at the box that it's going to tell you it's not meant to treat any serious condition."

Ben's mouth opens, before he says, "Yeah. I know."

Noah glances down at the boxes, "These ones are about improving energy and focus."

He shakes his head, "No. I just need something to help me remember."

Noah puts the boxes down and scans the shelves, before he takes another, "This one says it improves stress, mood, and memory."

"Great." Ben mumbles, "Maybe it will help with my sleep problems too."

"Oh, wait." He takes a closer look, "It also says it for women going through menopause."

Ben looks off in annoyance, "Of course, it does."

"Sorry. I didn't see that." Noah puts it back on the shelf, "Maybe you could tell me what this is for again?"

Ben takes a moment, "I, uh. I'm still having problems with English, obviously."

"And you said that was from your concussion, right?"

He gives him a look, "When did I tell you that?"

"You said it in your interview," his eyes widen.

"Oh, right." Ben places a hand to his head, shutting his eyes, "It's official. I am losing my mind." He drops his arm and shakes his head, "Please tell me you have something for me."

"What I recommend," Noah hesitates, "is for you talk to your doctor."

He huffs, "So, you can't help me."

"Let me finish." Noah pauses, "Omega threes are supposed to be good for the brain. Maybe take some of that and rest, until you and your doctor can figure this out."

Ben sighs, "Okay. I'll try it."

Noah nods, "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Uh, yes," he remembers. "Do you have any new appetite suppressants?"

"The other ones didn't work?"

"Not really," he admits.

"Were you still getting cravings?" Ben nods, and he questions, "Was it for sugar, because we have a spray now that can supplement that taste?"

"I mean," Ben hesitates, "it is sort of sweet, I suppose, but… it's more like meat, actually. Is sweet meat a thing?"

Noah thinks, "Do you eat a lot of meat?"

Ben shifts in his stance, "Well, it's not like I'm a vegetarian or anything."

"How much fat are you getting?"

He lifts a shoulder, "I mean, I eat meat. So, enough?" Noah nods, and he asks, "Why?"

"If the appetite suppressants haven't been working for you," he informs, "then we could try something else."

"Like what?" he cautions.

"Have you heard of the keto diet?"

Ben lifts his shoulder again, "I've heard of it."

"Basically," Noah explains, "when someone goes on the diet they are taking in less carbs and more fats. It's a really good one for a carnivore."

"I'm not a carnivore," Ben immediately defends.

Noah lets out a breath, "Sorry. I just meant that someone who already eats a lot of meat would have an easier time adjusting to the diet than a vegetarian." Ben doesn't speak, so he continues, "You would be replacing carbs with more fats. Coconut oil is always an easy, healthy fat to add to foods and drinks."

Ben takes a breath, "My family doesn't just eat meat. They eat pasta too, and I don't really have a choice in any of it."

"Well, you're pretty thin the way it is," Noah notices. "If weight loss isn't your goal, then you could still see if adding more fat would help."

Ben looks off, "I already tried adding more fat. If eating more bacon didn't help, why would taking coconut oil help?"

"It's a healthy fat," he informs. "Your body might be able to use it better." He hears the rumble, as the king places a hand to his stomach. "Ben?"

"Sorry." He shakes his head, "I have to go." before he hurries out of the store.

"Wait," Noah calls after him. "Don't you still want the omegas?" Ben disappears, and Noah turns to see her holding a box, staring across the store. "Nadia?" She fails to answer, and he steps in front of her, "Nadia. Is something wrong?" Her eyes move to him, and his mouth gapes at the horror in her expression. "Nadia?"

"I can't see," she whispers.

"What do you mean?" he worries.

"Everything's blurry," she shakes her head. "Something's wrong."

"Maybe, um," Noah thinks, "you should take the rest of the day off, go see someone."

"My mother." Nadia meets his eyes, "I need to see my mother."

"Okay. I'll—" Noah pauses, "I'll take you to her."

She breathes in relief, "Thank you. So much, Noah."

He reaches out to her, and she takes his hand. "Let's go."