April 2020 in The Creative Stuff- Feedback is welcome

I anxiously pace back and forth in front of the window, waiting and occasionally peeking out at the darkening night sky and thick rain that offer little clarity as to whom, or what, may be out there. I’ve been stuck in this pandemic lockdown for almost a month now, and things are getting weird. I live alone. I have no local family, no job, no pets, no kids and at the moment, no supplies. It’s like the whole damn world is closed. I never thought I’d experience anything like this in my lifetime, and I’d never felt more anxious or unsettled.

I continue looking out the window, alone with my thoughts, silently longing for anything I could get my hands on to just make this mess go away. I just needed some peace of mind. God knows I could use it. It felt gross to have gone a few days without doing it.

Bright headlights pierced through the rain, interrupting my thoughts and temporarily blinding me. A hooded figure jumped out of the car, carrying a large duffel bag with him. My heart skipped a beat as he ran across the lawn, dodging the rain as best he could and then I heard it- 3 short knocks on the door, which was our signal. It was the sound I’d long been waiting for. I sprinted over to the front door, slipping my mask on over my nose and mouth. He couldn’t get in here fast enough.

“Who is it?” I asked, just to be safe.

“You know it’s me. Let me in,” came the muffled, impatient reply.

“What’s the password?” I asked.

“Dammit Amy, let me in right now or I’ll go give this to someone else! It’s pouring out here!”

I swung the door open and ushered him inside. “Really? Password? Seriously?” he asked, giving me a hard stare as water dripped off of him.

“Listen, you can’t be too careful these days. It’s 2020 for godssakes.” I shrugged, handing him a towel.

He hastily dried himself off as well as the duffel bag, then tossed the towel on the floor. My heart caught in my throat as I wrung my sweaty hands together and anxiously waited for him to open the duffel bag and give me all the things that would bring me the most piece of mind I’d had since I’d run out several days ago.

“Did anyone see you come in?” I asked.

He again gave me a weird stare. “Seriously- what the hell is your deal? There’s no one out there! And even if there was, I can guarantee you no one gives a shit.” He opened the door and screamed out into the night. “Hey everyone! I’m at Amy’s house! And I have lots of-“

I pulled him back into the house and slammed the door. You can’t be too careful in this neighborhood. “Stop!” I snapped. “You’ve made your point.”

He walked over to my couch and took a seat, bringing the bag with him. I couldn’t wait any longer. “Is it fresh?” I asked, barely able to keep the excitement out of my voice.

He looked up and gave me a wry smile. “Oh, most definitely. I just picked it up less than an hour ago.”

I smiled and pulled the money out of my back pocket and eagerly thrust it into his waiting palm. Moving slowly and carefully, he counted the money that I had given him and placed it delicately in his wallet. He was good at making me wait. Finally, he started to unzip the duffel bag.

“Okay. Hopefully this will last you until you can get out there again and pick up your own, cause you know I typically don’t make house calls.” And with that, he placed the goods on my coffee table. It was white. It was shiny. It was everything I thought it would be and more.

“Thank you so much, you don’t realize what this means to me!” I said gratefully, unable to take my eyes off the new goods I’d acquired.

He stood up and headed for the door. “No worries. I assume you’re going to use that now, so I’m gonna go. Have a good night, and don’t use too much of it at once. Pace yourself.”

“Right. Bye. Thanks again!” I said, barely looking up as I heard the front door close behind him.

I waited until I heard the engine start and his car back down the driveway. I was alone. Finally! I beamed as I opened the plastic wrap. I took one of the cannisters of Lysol wipes out of the packaging as I reached for the case of toilet paper and happily headed upstairs to clean my bathroom and restock my toilet paper.

Last updated October 29, 2020