The bus driver waited while my husband forgot where we lived

Dear Delyara, My husband has early dementia. Today, we took the bus because his doctor no longer wants him driving. On the way home, he suddenly said we had missed our stop. We had not. Then he became certain we were on the wrong route. His voice grew loud, and other passengers started looking. I tried to explain, but embarrassment made him angrier. He stood before the bus had stopped and demanded the driver let him off. The driver pulled over safely, turned around, and asked my husband, “What street are we trying to reach, mate?” My husband gave the name of the road where we lived thirty years ago. The driver did not correct him immediately. He asked my name, checked our current stop with me quietly, and said, “We’ve got your wife with us. She knows the way today.” My husband sat down. Today. That word was perfect. Not “you’re wrong.” Not “you’ve forgotten.” Just today, your wife knows the way. When we reached our stop, the driver waited until we were both on the pavement before pulling away. My husband had already forgotten the whole incident by dinner. I have not. Sometimes kindness is giving someone a way to be confused without taking their dignity with it.