The Other World
by Kelsey Combe
In another world, my mother and father are still alive today. They debated going to Michigan in early March, out of fear of the pandemic keeping them away all summer. They lived for Michigan. But, ultimately they decided to stay with us in NY because their grandchild won out over Michigan.
My dad makes jokes about being an “elder” and getting to shop early. He goes to the store every few days in the morning. He has a whole routine worked out and is cautious and safe, and wearing a mask that my mom made using her sewing machine. She has been making so many masks, so we can donate them to hospitals and nursing homes and shelters. My dad has a list of groceries to get, for all of us.
My mom has been baking up a storm. She has mastered a gluten-free loaf of sourdough. She’s also making wheat-filled “Mommy Bread” again like she did for all of us when we were kids. Carter, after all, needs wheat exposure. And homemade bread is best.
She is very excited about him getting solid foods and plans elaborate menus to make sure he gets proper allergen exposure and lots of different textures and flavors.
After dad returns from the store, they head out on a walk. Mom wears a mask she has cross-stitched “BUT HER EMAILS” onto. When they return, Carter wakes from a nap and they take him outside to the garden. Mom weeds while dad plays on a blanket with our boy. Clayton and I head out on a bike ride, together.
Dad scrolls twitter and keeps up updated on the latest ridiculousness. Mom is busy making a quilt for Carter, for when he is allowed to sleep with blankets in his crib.
Later, dad gets back to work on the raised vegetable gardens he is building in our yard. They have a carefully laid out plan for what to grow, this summer.
We sit down to a big family meal. Mom spent the day cooking up a lasagna for all of us. There is wine, and jokes, and cheer, and smiles. Sometimes we get on each other’s nerves. We are family, and it is a small house. We are together and we are safe.
I am having a much harder time handling the anxiety and stress of the entire world-changing and life as we know it falling apart. Because it hasn’t already happened to me. And how lovely would that be?
