The Last Laugh

Sitting on the sofa under my soft fleecy blanket, safe in my bubble, I read the latest news and discover that a second wave of covid-19 is about to hit our state. Or maybe a first wave. Could what we have already experienced be nothing compared to what is to come?

My eyes skim my iPad screen, flitting from headline to headline, and then they stop on the name of a local town. I press the link, and a page opens revealing a photo of a familiar supermarket. Covid-19 has arrived at the place where we shop. But I don’t need to panic. It’s okay. We’re perfectly safe. The supermarket was deep cleaned overnight.

Deep cleaning? What does that involve? Is every can taken off the shelf and wiped?

Imogen and Gemma-Rose appear. As they’re putting on their shoes and coats, getting ready to leave for work, I say, “Keep safe!” They are silly words. What extra precautions can my daughters take as they stand on their side of the cafe counter handing over coffee and cake to people who have come from who knows where?

Yesterday, I drove to the village where Imogen and Sophie work to deliver something they’d forgotten. I parked the car and then ran along the footpath to the cafe, threading my way through the rain and the tourists. As I arrived, the cafe door opened, and a group of people emerged. Before I could step back, one of the women coughed in my face.

I want to avoid everyone, stay away. I yearn for contact, a touch on the arm, a tight hug, a kiss.

I don’t want my family exposed to the virus. I want them to work.

Two weeks, they said. We’ll soon have this under control.

Three months.

Six months.

Will it all be over by Christmas?

Who could have predicted that one tiny virus would do so much damage to the world, bringing fear and death and suspicion, separating us from one another, creating division?

A novelist?

Or the devil? Is he laughing?

I want to stay at home in my safe bubble, not emerge until this is over. ”I’m not going out until the world gets back to normal,” I announce.

Raised eyebrows.

”Yes, I know I said that back in March. But this time, I mean it.”

Despite wanting to opt out of this changed world, I know I will indeed venture out of our house. I have to adapt, keep living life, have faith that things will be okay.

Because the devil won’t have the last laugh. The sun will shine again.

I have hope.

Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash