Day 189

“Hi there!”

I looked up from my book to meet the unfamiliar sound. My mind must’ve been playing tricks on me because this is the first time in months that I’ve actually heard another human’s voice in real time. But when our eyes met I knew it was real. 

“Well aren't you gonna say anything or just keep staring?” she asked.

“Uh hi.” I spoke, unable to form any other sentences. With my mouth ajar I stared at her intently. This was the first human contact I've had since the quarantine 6 months ago.  With my area being one of the most contaminated places in the country, everyone from my neighborhood moved away. Me being the stubborn guy that I am, refused to give up my home. 

I was so taken aback by the sight in front of me that I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Maybe it was the horrible headache I was suffering from at the moment that caused me to imagine this woman. Yesterday when I mimicked receiving my mail, the house next door to mine was vacant. No sane human would dare step foot into a place with a high concentration of cases. I was lucky they didn't force me out of the state. Now today this beautiful woman is standing in the yard smiling brightly at me. 

“Im Melanie. I just moved in last night.”

Alone? I thought as I watched her. She glowed like an angel from the heavens with a smile as bright as the sun. There's no way she could be alone. What woman moves into a new neighborhood in the middle of the night alone? 

“I see you're not very talkative.  It was nice to meet you….”

“Kendrick”

“Well it was nice to meet you Kendrick. Hopefully I'll be seeing you around.” 

“Im sure of it. Since we’re the only ones here.” I joked and that brought out another one of her perfect smiles.

She walked back into her home and left me there with a feeling of hope. By the way the virus was progressing I never thought I would be around another human again. The government has strictly advised us to not leave our homes for any reason at all, they even took away all personal devices other than the television. If you were not cleared and living in one of their many housing communities, you were condemned to your home. Drones would bring you weekly goods, including medicines. The only human contact you’d have would be with the television, if you didn't have family.  

I’d been alone since the beginning of the pandemic. Losing my wife to the virus was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. It is the main reason why I didn't follow the mass evacuation. I felt like I had nothing to live for and to be honest I was waiting on the day the virus would finally take me too.

Day 203

Melanie and I have become very close over the past two weeks. I learned that she worked as a yoga instructor and she also lost her family to the virus. Without much to do we struggled with finding engaging activities so we talked for many hours each day. We have so much in common. I never felt a connection like this with anyone before, not even my wife of 12 years. I find myself smiling more and actually looking forward to the next day.

“Hey, have you watched the news recently?” I yelled across the yard. 

I admired Melanie as she folded in uncomfortable looking ways. She was as flexible as a cat and I loved admiring her at work.  I wanted to give yoga a try but whenever I would attempt to do any exercise I could barely move a muscle. 

“Ken? Did you hear what I said?” Melanie yelled, knocking me from my thoughts. 

“Uh no sorry. You mind repeating?”

“I was saying to stop filling your head with that nonsense. The government is constantly lying to you.” She stressed. Melanie suddenly stopped her stretching and stood with her hands planted on her hips. “Im serious Kendrick. Trust me my husband used to work for them.”

“About that. What is it that he used to do? And why are you so against the government?” I questioned. She was always so vague when I brought up the topic.  

“Ken. We've been over this. I can't talk about it. Just promise me you're gonna stay away from the media.”

“Alright fine.” I agreed reluctantly.

 I wanted to inform her of the good news I heard this morning. There was talk of maybe letting up the quarantine and society would go back to normal. This was excellent news for me because recently all I wanted to do was be next to Melanie. It was crazy how strong our connection was. I'm thinking it's because she reminds me so much of my wife. Whatever it was, she was filling a void I didn't know existed. 

“Well what do you have planned for dinner?” I asked.

“Hmm, I'm thinking steak smothered with creamy garlic sauce and a side salad. Then topped off with a nice glass of red wine.” 

“Wow sounds amazing. Maybe one day in the near future I can chef that up for our first date.” I spoke with confidence that one day I may get that opportunity. 

“I would love that. But who knows when that would be. We may be in our eighties by the time the world is purged from that disgusting plague. So I guess i'll settle for a basic slice of meatloaf and some peas.” Melanie complained. “Not like I have much of a choice anyway.”

She gathered her yoga mat and water bottle and began to head inside. “I hope one day we do get a chance to finally be together. I really do. But for now i'm glad that you're here, even if I can't touch you."

“Well, I'll see you after dinner to watch the sunset.” I yelled after her.

We will be together soon. I know it.

Day 325

A couple months have passed and we are now entering the cooler months. Melanie and I have managed to see each other outside during the day but the cooler temperatures are forcing us in doors. I don't get to hear her voice as often as I would like but we find other ways to communicate. Our bedroom windows face each other so we often spend most of our time in there.

“I thought you’d never wake up.” I said as Melanie emerged from her home. She had on a light jacket and a scarf. It was chilly this morning and we both cradled a cup of hot cocoa.  It was hard for me to even be outdoors with the way I was feeling at the moment. Even an overall feeling of discomfort couldn't keep me away from her. The cocoa helped but she helped more.

“I struggled sleeping last night.”

“I know. I wondered why you were up around 3 in the morning.” I replied. We slept with our blinds and curtains open since we were the only two people here. I spent many hours just staring at her beauty.  

“Why are you always watching me sleep?” Melanie asked.

“I don't watch. I admire.” I said, 

“Yeah that's not creepy at all.” She replied sarcastically. “But I can't lie like I don't peep in on you every now and then.”

“Oh I know you do. I’ve caught you plenty of times.” I taunted.

Melanie and I sat in our yards and shared our hot cocoa. I was reluctant to tell her that the government had been saying that there has been tremendous progress with the making of the cure. She was still heavily against the government but I was reluctant to change her mind.

“So the president announced that they’re making the first round of cures. What do you think about that?”

“I think it's bullshit and more propaganda. They want complete control over everything and this is the first step towards it.” she fussed.

“Babe relax. I didn't mean to get you all riled up. I mentioned it because that means we are closer to actually being together. With a cure that means the quarantine will be lifted. It's been hard not being able to see you as much and now with the winter months approaching it's only going to get worse. I need to touch you.”

“It's been hard for me too. I never knew I could need something so bad but not being able to touch you is torture.” Melanie softened a bit and blew a kiss at me. Oh how I yearned for the feeling of her lips on mine. 

“We will have our day. I know it,” I assured her.

Day 365

A whole year in quarantine.  I have to say that it hasn't been terrible. It started off feeling like I was trapped in my own personal hell.  Being in the very place my wife passed was hard on me at first.  Since Mel has arrived I hate to say it but it's like that hard time in my life never happened. 

The government just issued their first round of the cure and our city was at the top of the list. I was ecstatic about finally being able to touch the love of my life. It's 5:45 in the morning and I could not wait to tell her the good news.  I sat awake and fought off the constant waves of nausea as I watched her sleep peacefully.

I knew she didn't trust the government but I had to let her know. The day was scheduled.  It wouldn't be long till I held my beautiful soon to be wife.  

When she finally awakened we instantly made eye contact. I grabbed the dry erase board we used to communicate, and began writing down the good news. There's no way this news isn't going to cheer her up. With only a week left we’re gonna be together sooner than I thought.

I held the board up and watched as her smile grew wider. She got on the bed and jumped up and down in excitement. For once I didn't get a negative response from her.  I knew she’d come around. 

With the snow on the ground we didn't go outside at all, except to retrieve our weekly goods. We spent all of our time in our bedrooms communicating through the dry erase board. Now that we know about the cure it's been like sitting on pins and needles as we waited. 

 Melanie sat Indian style and held up her board to the window. “How do you think it's gonna come? I'm hoping pill form. I can't imagine having to stick myself with a needle. I just might pass out.”

“However it comes it doesn't matter, as long as it works.” I stated.

“You're right. What's the first thing you want to do once we’re free?” she asked.

“Hold you in my arms.”

“Kendrick, you know what I mean. Like, do you want to visit the beach or anything?”

“Melanie, All I want to do is run over there and hold you close to me and never let go. This week cant go by fast enough.”

Day 372

Today is the day. The day I would finally be able to actually meet the love of my life. I've waited 183 days for this moment and I couldn't wait another second. The drones would be here any minute and I would have my cure. 

Melanie hasn't woken up yet, but I know she would be just as excited as I am. We stayed up all night talking about the things we would do together. I know the world isn't going to be the same after this pandemic but I was glad I wouldn't be going through it alone. 

I continued to wait on the drones for what felt like hours until the tiny device showed up with the normal package. I opened the door and retrieved it and searched the box frantically. I came upon the pill bottle and opened it, revealing a tiny white pill. A pill that would grant me a better life. 

I ran to my bedroom and peered out the window. Melanie was still asleep, I guess staying awake all those hours took a toll on her. I couldn't wait until she awakened and then we could take the cure together. I guess I have no choice but to wait.

Two hours later 

Melanie still hasn't woken up. It looked as if she hadn't changed positions at all. I was starting to get worried so I took the cure. I waited thirty minutes to let the cure take an effect on my body. There was said to be some slight side effects but nothing too dire. 

I peeked in on Melanie for the last time before I worked up the courage to go and see what was wrong with her. It was very unusual for her to be still in bed. I hoped she was feeling okay, because we’d been waiting on this day. With love on my mind and the sudden surge of adrenaline that was brought on by the pill, I was ready to finally see her.  I felt like a brand new person and I knew that the pill was the reason.

I put on my shoes and ran out the house. I didn't care that it was almost below zero, I had to get to my love. I ran across the yard and when I found myself standing on her porch, I panicked. What if she’s been lying all these months. What if she had been using me to pass the time all along and she doesn't feel the same way. 

I lifted my shaky fist and forced myself to knock on the door. I don't know why i'm so nervous. This is all I had been wanting for a long time now. After losing my wife, I felt Melanie was a gift. A gift that was sent by god and there was nothing that would come between us. I knocked several times and waited.

No answer.

I knocked again. This time a little louder. I knew she was still asleep but there was no way she couldn't hear me practically banging on her door.

My heart rate picked up and a pit formed in my stomach when I placed my hand on the door knob. I feared that something had happened to my girl. I twisted it and to my surprise the door opened right up. I walked in and what I saw made my heart drop.

Her place was empty. Nothing was there and I was confused. Maybe she’d moved in with no furniture. I thought, trying to rationalize the situation. But that thought quickly went out of the window when I searched the house. 

It was bare. No furniture, no food, no signs that anyone had been here at all. I was afraid to enter her bedroom because I knew that no one was in there. How had I been so stupid. She never loved me. 

My thoughts were confirmed when I opened the bedroom door. It was as empty as the rest of the house. I ran out of there as quickly as I could. I couldn't trust anything, not even myself.  I ran back home and slammed the door. I sat behind it and pulled my knees into my chest.

“The first round of cures was a success. The president is pleased to announce that within the first couple of hours there was improvement in sick patients. We are now seeing our country come back together.” 

I lifted my head and listened to the woman speaking on the television.

“Infected patients have seen some clarity and improvement from the following symptoms. Including nausea, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, malaise, fever, loss of appetite and hallucinations.”