“…. with these cases rising in Queensland, the only sane thing to do is implement a lockdown in the state. You will be able to leave the house wearing a mask and only for essential activities.” The TV announces in the background.
“What a way to start the new year.” I groan, biting down on the vegemite toast I made for breakfast.
My phone chirps and my heart races. I can feel the smile form on my face.
Did you see the news?
The text read. I look down at my phone and my heart stings a little. This lockdown will mean that I won’t be able to see him for a while. We don’t live together, mainly because we have only just met two weeks ago but it puts a damper on any plans that we may have wanted to do. Like go on a beach date, see a movie or even a dinner for two at a nice restaurant.
I did, this is annoying. Why can’t people just obey rules. Ugh.
I lock my phone and walk towards the kitchen; the place is a mess. I check my watch and see that I don’t have enough time to clean up before I need to leave for work. As if on cue, my phone rang, and it was my boss.
Sighing, I answer. “Hello Linda.”
“Cait, we’re going to close today. you will be paid annual leave for the day but with these recent developments, we’re not sure what the future is going to look like right now.” Linda replies.
I can hear the worry in her voice.
“Linda are you okay?” I ask, moving into the lounge room and sitting on the couch.
“Yes Cait, I’m okay. These are quickly becoming tougher times than we expected.” Linda lets out a shaky breath.
“Will our jobs still be safe?” I ask the burning question that she’s probably been asked all day so far.
“I don’t know yet, we’re having a zoom meeting later today with the ops managers. Hopefully we have more of an answer for the rest of the team tomorrow.” She answers. She sounds more herself, as if she shook herself into composure.
“Do we come in tomorrow?” I ask, curious. Will we even still be employed tomorrow? I look back up to the muted tv and it’s flashing the words national crisis on the ribbon at the bottom of the screen. This doesn’t look like it will be going away any time soon. What will happen to the people who still need to pay bills like rent and electricity? How will this affect our communities?
“Sit tight Cait, we will do a call round again this afternoon. I know you are worried; we all are but we will figure out a strategy, okay?” she states.
I sigh and agree. We say goodbye and hang up.
I sit on the couch for what feels like hours but only minutes pass by. This is crazy, how did this happen so quickly? Everything was fine, this disease hadn’t even reached our shores. It was only ever overseas.
My phone rings again, it’s him. I remembered that I didn’t reply to his text.
“Hey Marty, I’m fine. Sorry I didn’t reply. The boss called and said no one was going into work today. can you believe that?” I say, groaning angrily.
“yeah I got the same call from my boss. Look, I’m getting in the car. I’ll be there soon.” He says, I can hear the jingle of his keys.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? They just announced the lockdown, I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
I hear myself say before I could stop myself.
What am I doing, he could be here isolating with me and I wouldn’t have to be alone.
“I’m just worried about you and wanted to see you.” He pouts.
I have never heard a guy pout before. It’s kind of sweet.
“I know, I want to see you too.” I say, looking at the tv again. I can’t hear what they’re saying but those
‘national crisis’ words are still flashing on the screen reminding me that everything is about to change.
“Hey, turn on your face time.” He asks politely.
I place the phone in front of me and turn on the video call option and his face pops up on my screen.
I smile.
“oh, you are in your car.” I say laughing. Then I take a glimpse at what I look like in my camera. Hair sticking up on all angles, still in my pyjamas and sleep still tucked in my eyes, “oh Jesus I look terrible.”
He laughs and replies, “no you don’t. you look beautiful.”
My heart does backflips. He isn’t even here, and I just want to fall into his arms.
I smile at him. “you look great too.” I reply.
He returns my smile. What a gorgeous human being this one is. We’ve known each other barely two weeks and he’s already making me weak at the knees and wondering how I got so lucky.
“this is what we will do for now. Face time dates until we can see each other again.” He suggests, still smiling.
I take a screen shot right there. Of him smiling his big smile. He’s brown hair sitting so immaculately on his head, his beard freshly trimmed, framing his face. How could you not want a photo of that on your phone.
“Face time dates it is.” I say, smiling back at him.