It was the fifth month of the year 2021 that I first became aware I am a mere mortal species. And a rude awakening it turned out to be. There are many things that nudge us to put life in perspective. This opportunity, if I survived, would serve as said perspective. 

Looking back, the novel Corona virus was steadily and fortunately on a downward trend. I felt lucky that perhaps I dodged a bullet and would come away unscathed. 

Was I wrong. 

I was in the middle of tending to repairs to Emily’s house. Electricians to deal with. Invoices to pay. The rains kept me, Emily, and electricians on a “hurry up and wait” mode. Meanwhile Emily had a household to run. And for obvious reasons, she would text intermittently on the status of repairs, and always in a cordial civil manner. 

Covid hit me. And it hit hard. All told for a total of 10 days. Specifically of the ten days, 3 would be some of the most difficult moments I’ve had to endure. Ever. 

Either it was sharp razor blades or thumb tacks or sewing needles I swallowed but maybe it was three or four dozen. That’s how I felt for 72 long grueling agonizing hours. Additionally, one full breath was a half breath. The hardest part would be to hold panic at bay and being cognizant not to hyperventilate. Maybe somewhere in the 41st or 43rd hour, I had actually looked up my ex-girlfriend’s phone number. We had broken up in 2020 and really there wasn’t anyone who really even knew  me. Strange I know even though I lived in a city of 4 million citizens. I felt someone needed to know I was about to embark to the afterlife. I went as far as looking up her number on my phone. I chuckle now at realizing I couldn’t find her name in my contacts. I did that because I changed her name in my contacts so as to never even have to think of her. Silly I know, but that’s what I had done. 

Still, I never called. 

“Yeah you did sound unsure of yourself. You seemed afraid. I could sense it in your voice,” Emily would say months later. 

Truth is, that was an accurate statement. 

She didn’t know this, but Emily became that one beacon to provide direction. She was well-versed in how medications interact due to her previously mentioned background in the medical field. 

During the 10-day sickness, 2 calls were made daily. One to my doctor on FaceTime. And one to Emily via voice or text. 

So much for my personal rule of never engaging in friendly dialogue with any tenant occupying any of my properties. That flew out the window with Emily. I felt it justified since I was only speaking to her due to her ability to help me understand medication. 

In the meantime, there were bouts of delirium and ultimately intense hallucinations. I recall sleeping with all the lights on in the house. Most of this was brought on by medications, I’m sure. The anxiety was a byproduct. 

Sure other people would experience only a sore throat coupled with a loss of taste and smell. Conversely my olfactory faculties were incredibly sharp. I could not only taste water, I could smell it. But in that situation, the last thing I wanted was to taste and smell. I didn’t eat for days. If I did, I would force down cooked bland rice to help the meds go down. Everyone’s health is different. For whatever reason, my covid experience was a battle for the ages. It would last from May 15th through May 25th. 

If I would accomplish anything May 26th, it would be renewing my passport. That was the first and only thing on my agenda May 26. I remember it was on a Friday. And procuring my passport would at least serve as the impetus to help make changes in my life. It’s not that travel is important to me, it’s not. But if I did want to travel I would be ready. 

The work on Emily’s house was almost done. So June would be an expensive one to pay up for the work. But again, it was needed and necessary. And that’s the cost of doing business. More importantly, Emily proved she is beyond patient. None of the problems were brought on by her yet it would affect her family daily. 

Post covid things changed. I viewed things differently. I would appreciate things more and recognize them for what they were. I felt I no longer had a landlord-tenant arrangement, other than an official lease agreement that someone occupied that property. My covid battle made me trust Emily with pretty much anything I had to say. She would became a trusted sounding board for anything going on in my life.

For that, I was ever grateful.