By: Jim Bates

The old man sat staring out the window of his apartment. The mask mandate had been lifted and people were flocking into the city’s streets to celebrate, some even dancing. He thought about his dear wife, lost this past year to the pandemic, and blinked back a tear. Next to him sat Phillip. He scratched the loyal Corgi behind the ears and then got to stiffly his feet. His loyal companion did the same. “Come on old friend, let’s go join them. We’ve been locked down for far too long.” The smile on the little dog’s face said it all.