Discovering new Worlds

COVID-19 pandemic

Here I sit in the middle of what some would call nowhere land in upper New York State. My closest neighbor is across the lake. Funny but I can’t see the house, only the smoke from the chimney. With the three plus feet of show that has fallen within the past twenty-four hours I am basically confined to my quarters. I’ve been a widow for seven years now and I really miss her. My wanting to be left alone is the precise reason that I purchased this place. Look, I’ve got twenty acers, house on a beach front of an enormous lake, the forest engulfs me on three sides and it’s quiet so I can stew in my juices. Normally, once a week a mail courier deposits my mail to the box that is about a hundred yards down the path and I’m fine with that. He hasn’t been here for the past three weeks and that’s alright too. Since I don’t have a TV and the radio only gets reception sometimes, I don’t always know what’s going on in the rest of the world. “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” A clip from an old movie I saw so many years ago I can’t count. Yet it sums up my attitude toward the rest of the world. I will have to go to town next month though as the coffee is almost gone. Instant, you know. I never could wait for ten or twenty minutes for a cup of coffee and then most of it would go to waste anyway.

I was smart enough to bring in the dogs though. That’s okay because they don’t ask questions and even though they are sled dogs and could survive the cold, I kind of like having them around. Since I retired after my wife passed on, I spend a lot of time writing. I restrict myself to fiction adventure as I can never get caught in a lie, and I’ll never get my facts mixed up. I must admit though that I have times where I’d like some companionship other than the dogs. Memories of our wonderful years together have a tendency to creep into my thoughts as I write so I guess a lot of what I do is actually a reflection of how I’d like to see myself. It’s a good thing my mind works as there is no relationship to what my characters can do and my physical ability to enact them. I suppose it’s my way of coping with my loss.

I’d never thought of myself as a writer before. I had written a lot of poems and short stories for most of my seventy-nine years and always enjoyed the allurement of rhyming phrases to stress my ideas of how the world turns. Once I had to come to the realization that life as I knew it was basically over, I retreated to a place where I could fantasize, reshape my world without outside interference and conger memories to my liking.

Yet today is a day unlike any other that I’ve experienced in a long, long while. Not sure, but there’s something different. “Butch” I called “Stop scratching at the door. The snow’s up to the base of the window sill and you can’t go out!” He’s my oldest dog. We got him as a puppy just weeks before I lost her. He was so small that you could hold him in the palm of your hand. At first, I thought I’d take him back so he could have a real life with some young folks but every time I picked him up, I’d see her smile. We’d had a great fifty-years and she had that certain smile that would melt even the largest ice cap. I even got as far as the car one day and had made up my mind I’d be rid of him, yet he’d snuggle in my arms as if to say, it’s okay, I understand. So today I have him, his mate Tressa and the six pups. I know I should name them but my imagination just wouldn’t let me formalize names so I just call them number one, through six. They know when I’m talking to them and much like their father don’t pay attention very often. Butch kept scratching at the door so I finally gave in and went to open the dog door. I had to chuckle at the thought of how he was going to cope with the packed snow. He wouldn’t be able to push his way out, or at least I thought so. As I opened the door his ears perked up and he made a leaping bound for his exit. To my surprise he plowed right through the build up and was quickly followed by the entire crew.

Once outside, they all commenced to bark furiously. It wasn’t a baring your teeth warning like one would expect if danger were close but a loud jubilant playful sound as if they were happy to see someone other than me.

As I peered through the glass door window, I saw an adult and a child standing at my door step. Quickly I forced open the storm door and extended my hands in welcome. I didn’t know who this might be but I was sure they had to be lost. No one in their right mind would be out in this weather.

“Welcome to my home. I’ve got some coffee if you’ve a mind and perhaps some milk for the young one.”

“We’ve been out in the storm since last night. We were on or way to upper New York as I’d heard that there were safe zones.”

“Safe zones?” I queried wondering what that might mean.

“Yes, from the virus.” That’s a queer thing to say. I wonder what she means by that.

“What virus?” I inquired. “What’s happening that I don’t know about?” She looked at me as if I were from another planet.

“You haven’t heard? It’s spreading across the entire nation and no one has a cure for it. I had to get little Jimmy out before he caught it. He has a medical condition that makes him highly susceptible to illness. As soon as I found out about it, I gathered all our belongings and headed for the safe zone.”

“Well,” I contemplated on that for a minute then said “we’ll just have to put you up here until its’ over.

I don’t have a TV, telephone, and the mail hasn’t been brought in for the past three weeks. I seldom listen to the radio as most of the time it’s static and I’m getting along quite nicely. So, when did this virus hit and how does it effect people?” We talked for over an hour as I managed to pull out the old coffee maker, clean it up somewhat and brew a pot. She informed me that she was in nurses training and serving as an aid when she first heard of the pandemic. Her husband had been dead for two years now so she, without support, was managing to struggle on. I didn’t say much, I just listened. Jimmy was playing with the dogs and seemed to be quite content. After a bit he asked if there were any place, he could lie down so I put him in my bed. Number six, didn’t hesitate and jumped up next to him and rested his head across the boy.

“I hope he’s not allergic to dog hair.” I mentioned. “If so, I’ll tell him to get down.” She smiled and responded that he had always wanted a dog, and actually could have one, except they lived in a small apartment and she just couldn’t afford it.

“That’s number six if you want to talk to him. You’ll be able to talk to him but he doesn’t do tricks and don’t mind most of the time.” Six perked up his ears for a minute then simply laid his head to rest again. “I’ve got some camping gear in the back room and can set you both up in here. I’ll move into the back room.”

“No, please don’t. We’ll make out okay. Besides I’m intruding on your home. We’ll just stay a short while until he’s rested and warm, then we’ll be on our way.”

“No way” I objected “I’ve plenty of room and will welcome the change of pace. Those dogs are a comfort when I want to be left alone, but right now I’d rather have some company. Besides who knows when this weather is going to let up. Nope! You’ll be a welcome guest hers as long as the dogs will have you. They’re not normally this friendly so if you’ll stay, they would appreciate it. I can’t have you traipsing around out there you’ll freeze to death. Besides I’d like to know more about this virus.” So, we settled in. She told me her name was Winnie, that’s what everyone called her. She had repeated the story of Pooh so often that little Jimmy could recite it from memory so he started calling her Winnie. I never asked her. Her real name. I figured if she deemed it important that she’d tell me. We spent the next two weeks frozen in time and occasionally I’d fiddle with the radio dials to see if I could catch any new. It was actually a change for me and I was starting to enjoy our talks.

One morning I awoke to a ray of sunshine peeking through the blinds and thought I This will be a wonderful day. As I rolled over, I saw Three, Four and Five all sitting by the door. Their teeth were baring and a low growl was emanating from their throats. For some reason I went to the cupboard closet and picked up my shot gun. Checked its contents to insure I was able to use it necessary and proceeded to the door. I opened it only a crack and inquired who was there and what did they want. Three men stood out there armed to the teeth and demanding that I allow them in.

“Hold on a minute. Tell me what you want.” One raised his rifle and shouted that if I didn’t let them in right now, he’d plant me. I’ve never been one take a threat lightly so I unloaded both barrels, grabbed my pistol that I had sitting on the shelf next to the door and fired three more times.

“I don’t take kindly to those who threaten me or my dogs.” I resounded with a loud voice. “I was sure I had plastered the front one in the face and chest and at least two of my three pistol shots hit the mark. “Drop your weapons and bring your friend inside.” The last individual just stood there for a moment then replied

“We can’t come in if you have the virus.”

“The only way you’ll get the virus is if you brought it with you!” I was come what confused and rather angry that they would attempt to injure or kill us one minute and accuse us of having a virus the next. Two, Three and Four continued to growl so somehow, I knew things weren’t safe yet.

“Tell your friends to come out of the woods or I’ll unleash the dogs.” Actually, they were sled dogs and couldn’t do much in the way of mounting an attack but then I figured they didn’t know it. Eventually two more people came out and put their guns down.

“Now tell me what’s this all about.” I spied Winnie and the boy huddled in the corner and ask them for an explanation. One of the men, it turns out was her ex and wanted to take possession of the boy. He enticed the others to go along with his plan in order to attain sufficient power to take control. I allowed one person in as a spokes person and listened while he unraveled his story. The man with the shot gun wounds had been hit with both barrels but actually wasn’t hurt that bad as I had used rock salt. The man with the two pistol wounds looked pretty bad so I instructed them to take him to the town. They have a doctor there and if treated the wounds wouldn’t be fatal. I told them in no uncertain terms that I’d not release the woman and her son to the likes of them but if the ex had a grievance, he could file it with the town marshal. Since there were no roads, other than a few animal trails I figured it’d take a couple of days to cover the twenty miles so after they left, I decided to have a strong talk with Winnie.

“We’ve got a couple of days before they reach the town so I want to know exactly what’s going on.”

“He left about four years ago after we had a horrendous argument. I had neighbors who testified against him at the divorce and I was granted full custody of Jimmy. When the coronavirus hit, I was laid off my sales clerk job and rather than expose him to further possibility of illness I pulled up stakes. I’d heard of a sanctuary city up north so I decided I’d go. We were lost in the woods when we came across you and I thought we’d leave as soon as he was well enough to travel. As it turns out, we’re still here after some three weeks and I’m afraid to leave.”

“Well, the marshal will investigate his story and verify his status. If everything is as you claim you’ll be free of him for a while.” I had no way of knowing at the time but the ex had a warrant out for his arrest and wouldn’t go to file a report.

Over the next six weeks the boy grew stronger and Winnie and I had a long talk. We went to town once and the marshal told us he never showed up. He also told us that he had a warrant out for his arrest for robbery and a shooting. Now that the weather was warming up, got up to 30 the other day and people had gotten over their panic about the virus things started to look up. When the local doctor found out she was a nurse’s aid in training he offered her a job as he had more than he could handle. I helped her move into town and told her I’d visit more often now that I had a reason to come once in a while. Jimmy had even stayed with me for a short period of time until the school reopened as he and Six were like two peas in a pod. He asked if he could stay but that really wasn’t possible as we had no way of getting him back and forth. His mom promised him, if I’d agree that they could come back on weekends once in a while. I, of course agreed that it would be fine. I liked the boy and I enjoyed Winnie’s company.

I heard the dogs growling and making a fuss so I decided I’d get up and see what all the ruckus was about. I figured it was about o’dark thirty and I wouldn’t be able to see anything though. When I opened the door, I spotted someone retreating back into the woods and my shed was on fire. This time I grabbed my shot gun filled it with full buck shot and started in the direction I’d seen the figure. He was long gone and I couldn’t track him in the dark so I returned to see if I could salvage the shed. No luck there it was a full blasé and I had all I could do to keep it from spreading to the forest and my home. I’m not as young as I was once was but still managed to establish a breaker that saved the main house. After a couple of hours, I saw my neighbor coming across the lake. He started right in without a word. Finally, we managed to get control and I simply sat wondering what that was all about.

While Barnie wrapped my hands, I’d received from the burns and the blisters I’d obtained while shoveling the dirt he informed me that he’d seen a good part of what happened and initially he let out after the culprit. He did manage to corner him and in the ensuing fight he’d killed the intruder. “Didn’t mean to as I’d wanted to question him first. But…” he stopped momentarily “But that didn’t work out as planned.” I pulled him out of the water and put him in one of my boats. That way I can retrieve him later.”

As you might suspect it was the ex wanting to evoke revenge on me as I’d been instrumental in her being able to establish a new life. Winnie identified the remains and young Jimmy cried for a time but he said he was happy that now this would all be behind him. He’d met Lorain, a class mate and was really fond of her. Eventually the threat of the virus dissipated and things got back to normal. I’d found that I changed though and once again I had an interest in somebody else. I still talk to the wife and the hurt of loosing her still lingers but when I speak to her she always tells me that I can’t just clam up and live in despair. We’d had a wonderful life together and it made her sad to see me just wilt away when so many other things could happen that would make my life and my memories a joy again.

As I sat on the front porch watching the ripples on the lake I decided that now indeed was a good time to let go and start a new chapter in my life.