ISOLATION

 I dwell in fantasy on a regular basis. However recent isolation has caused reality to sting me where it hurts.                  

Funny how the mind and body accept difference – eventually. Isolation. No choice, vulnerable. My age, my medical condition. Resilience leads to a desire to reconnect with my soul and overcome brain fog so I can finish my novel. I read a lot. I try to connect emotionally and verbally not physically. More phone calls less texting.

I sit in my bed, beside me, my significant other of twelve years. I lean over and tickle her sensitive spot. She responds with a lick of my hand and the look of love from those big brown eyes. My side kick Chai, my silky cross maltese.

I check out the usual external participant. The black crow who arrives every morning at 7.30. Male, I’m sure of that. He preens shakes his tail feathers in concert with his crowing. He breaks the silence. I had never realized that the crowing initiated the physical reaction of the feathers until I had time to observe it.

He jumps down onto the carport roof and tap dances as he collects nuts off the trees. He acknowledges my existence. Still alive he observes, as he does a fly-by across my window and heads off for the day.

Chai licks my hand ‘get up!’ I put my feet to the floor – she jumps past me showing off her agility demanding I hurry up and open the door to the garden.

I wait for her to kill a patch of grass and she’s back inside. I pick up the newspaper. I scan the front page. I’m not interested in the choice of news presented to me. With the deft I thought I had lost, I separate the pages like a skilled surgeon separates flesh. I locate the source of my addictions, cryptic crosswords and daily horoscopes. I check my iphone, my constant concern as I return to my bed. I keep it plugged into the charger – I cannot afford it to be silenced –it is my lifeline. My groceries are delivered and I have a new addiction – on line services.

I spend a couple of minutes on the first two clues. I haven’t a clue as to the mind of this particular compiler. I need brain food.

The phone rings.

Is that Hanna?

The voice is barely audible.

Yes, this is Anna.

You know me Hanna. You give me phone and your number if I need help I ring you. I need help Hanna. I locked in bathroom. Her voice rises as the emotion takes over. He gone to garage to get something to bash down door. Please help me.

I’m not Hanna, I’m Anna. I am 76 years old and I am not very well. I don’t think I can help you.

Please Hanna, you can help me. You can come here. He is a bad man. You help me please. You come here now.

Where is’ here’? Where are you?

I don’t know. Somewhere in Victoria.

I’m Anna and I’m in Queensland.

Please Anna, you help. You ring Policeman?

Do you know the address where you are?

No. it dark when we get here. Everything ok we had nice meal but when we get in his car alone it like button pressed he become a monster.

Please help me Anna.

I stand up. I look at the phone in my hand. I feel dizzy. I sit down on the bed. I will just hang up. No. I cannot do that. I put the phone on speaker. My ear is hot.

What is your name?

My name Susie.

I from Hong Kong. I come before virus. I have job then. Now I don’t. I have to do bad job with men.

Where do you live.

I live Fitzroy. With other girls. I don’t know their names. Only move there today. I don’t know address. It Fitzroy.

Ok. Where is the man now? 

He is outside bathroom door. He is yelling out ‘bitch slut come out I pay for you.’ He is bashing on door. I say Go away. I ring Police. You are mad man. He laughing Anna. He say Police are his friend. They won’t save me. What I do?

Keep saying Police on the way.  Go away. Police on the way.

He say you don’t know where you are bitch. The Police aren’t on their way.

Anna he go away from door.

I can hear him in back garden.

Your phone. Look at it. Does it have google maps app? 

Yes.

Go into settings and unlock location.

Ok.

Can you see the red dot where you are?

Yes.

Take a photo. Send it to me.

Ok.

Take your photo. Send it to me.

Ok.

When I get the photos I will send them to the Police.

Ok. Hurry. Man is on ladder climbing outside bathroom window. 

Your call to me and text show no caller id. I don’t have your phone no.

Do you know the number? Did Hanna write it down for you? 

No, it was contact. Only contact. Must be wrong number for Hanna? It your number?

Please Anna.  He is unscrewing bars off window.

Susie check the draws and cupboard in the bathroom. Are there any spray cans? Deodorant, air freshener?

Yes. There is deodorant and air fresh.

She is sounding excited. I am not. I ask her are there towels?

Yes. There are four towels.

Ok. We need matches or lighter. Look again in drawers or cupboards.

Ok.

I can hear her going through the drawers

I have little bag. It have plastic bag with weed and papers and a lighter.

Great. Wet the towels and stand in the bath and if he tries to break in through the window take his photo then spray him in the face with the sprays and push him off the ladder. Send me the photo. 

Ok.

I am going to make a cuppa and have some breakfast. Ring me back when you are free. Press recent calls.

Ok.

I go to the Crime Stopper web page. I report a crime in progress. I send photos and google map and I say what is happening. I am not confident with recent experiences with the Police. They have issues with the legal use of medicinal herbs. I end the call with Susie.

I stagger out to the kitchen. I’ll have to stop reading those crime novels. I grab some weed and roll a joint – purely for medicinal purposes.

The phone rings.

I answer it.

Is that Hanna?