As I listen for the sixth, or maybe it’s the seventh time, to bits of what I recorded, I hear exhaustion, a little fear or maybe it’s just concern for their own health, and I hear pride, too. These people, from the techs to the EMTs to the nurses and doctors, signed up to save lives.
That’s what they’re struggling to do now.
And I’m trying to figure out how to tell their story so my readers know there are lots and lots of heroes out there.
The scratchiness in my throat won’t go away. I keep checking my temperature and it’s 97.8. I unwrap the little oximeter I ordered from Amazon to check the oxygen level in my blood. Clipped on my forefinger, it registers 99. Not perfect but this isn’t a third grade spelling test.
“So you’re telling me you don’t have anyone to officiate at the wedding?”
“Nope. I know an internet officiant but he lives too far away. Matt’s sister has two little kids so she can’t do it.”
“What do you need?”
“Can you do it?”
Chapter 16April 18, 2020, 3:20 p.m.Jessica: THEY DO My hands tremble and shine with a slick sheen of sweat. I tighten my hold on the notebook where I’ve written the service for this afternoon. I’m excited to officiate at my first wedding—and this wedding especially. As I wait with the pensive groom, birdsong fills the…
Here is the audio version of Chapter 14: Jessica: Bad news first. This one, the story of Jessica’s obituary about a couple who died from Covid-19, was very hard to read. I really did make myself sniffle. When Jessica tells Dan about her latest story, an obit of a couple who died from Covid-19, Dan…
Chapter 12 April 12, 2020, 3 p.m. Dan: April showers “Sorry, Rex. Not yet.” I feel the same way my dog does. We gotta get out of this house. I’ve already had Easter brunch with my family in New Jersey, thanks to a Zoom conference. It took more than an hour. And, while my younger…
Chapter 11 April 9, 2020, 10 a.m. Dan: Birthday wishes I straighten the oversized red and white striped top hat on my head and then adjust my red bow tie before sending the Zoom invite. Of course, I look ridiculous. But that is the point. I want to see little Lori laugh at what I…
The trouble with Zoom calls is how visible you are to everybody else—and to yourself. As Claire goes through the news budget with the rest of the staff, I find my attention wandering to Rashima who’s got the baby on her lap.
She’s my hero during this crisis.
I woke up feeling like a little like Bill Murray in the movie “Groundhog Day.” I know that’s not an original thought but it’s totally appropriate. Today looks pretty much like yesterday. I look at my calendar and every tomorrow looks like today.
It’s here, the audio version of Chapter 2—Jessica and Hanna. HANNA announces her wedding may be off. They can’t get a marriage license during #pandemic. Hanna’s #romance is the real thing. How can JESSICA help her best friend? A new audio chapter will post every Wednesday morning. Remember I’m recording my own self reading the chapters.…
Mary K. Tilghman, writer 