Member-only story
Allow Yourself To Feel
Life On The Balcony
Day 21.
Wake up, realize that the lockdown is not a dream, close my eyes again. After a few minutes, I drag my body out of bed, maybe wash, or maybe not, and stare at the coffee filter that makes gargling noises. It was programmed the night before, and now it emanates an intoxicating smell. The smell brings memories, flashbacks from the crest of a mountain, the bar at the corner of the street, people passing by and nodding my way, smiling.
I pour myself a cup and head to my favorite place in the house, the balcony. I watch some neighbors take out the dog. A mocking bird I became friends with, and even named, doesn’t fail to make its appearance. Arabella, that’s what I called her, plunges on the terrace below, straight into a big dog bowl filled with water for her morning bath. She will come back for food in a few hours.
I then turn my attention to the old lady across the street, staring at me from her balcony. We lock eyes and almost smile at each other. She is then rushed in by her daughter, her care-taker, maybe? Who knows? At a different window, a middle-aged woman is pushing her blanket over the window. She stops mid-way and leaves the blanket hanging, dangling in the morning wind allowing it to breathe. I breathe, as well.