Reality Check

No movement on the streets, intense quiet and grey skies. Henry is on edge. It seems like it’s been like this for weeks, but it’s only four days since the shutdown started.

     The truth is his life was already spiraling into the gutter. This mandatory lockdown is just another event that challenged his mental state. Henry’s not a people person, he doesn’t crave companionship, but being told to socially distance is alarming. He understands and is aware of the dangers of the virus, but he questions that we know the real truth.

     The sun shined brightly in the afternoon, chasing away the grey skies and warming the earth, so Henry drags a lawn chair to the middle of the backyard and plops down to read a book. He has all the time in the world since the library is closed indefinitely.

     Mikey, the little boy next door is running around his yard like most three-year-olds, unaware of the dangers from the Coronavirus. He only knows that his friends can’t come over, but he doesn’t understand why. Mikey loves being with people. His excitement for life is contagious. Something Henry lost long ago.

     Like most three-year-olds, Mikey is curious. He runs to the fence separating the yards and waves. Henry can’t hold back his smile. So, he waves and laughs at this exuberant child watching him dance in place singing Baby Shark. Henry doesn’t know the song, but the child’s expressions are comical. It’s hard for him to remember a time when he had that enthusiasm. He is a little jealous he lost that part of his life.

     Henry spends the next half hour watching Mikey run around playing by himself. The little boy has an endless amount of energy and imagination. He doesn’t judge, he isn’t embarrassed and enjoys every moment of the day.

     The clouds form overhead and it starts to sprinkle. Mikey's mom calls him to come inside. As he turned to go, he waves then says, “Morrow, kay?” Henry laughs and takes those words as an invitation to meet him there tomorrow.

     Henry steps through the sliding glass door into the kitchen feeling a little better about the world.