bumping into your friend at the City MD line [OFFLINE edition]

1. You are overjoyed to see your dear friend in the COVID testing line. You immediately recognize their wool bucket hat when she shoots you a goofy wave. This means that a) you can bud the line and b) you can face your mortality with the company of a friend. 

2. You count your blessings. Your friend, Simone could have been 12 other people you don’t want to bump into in Bedstuy. You start to mentally compile the list:

• the food emporium manager you want to kiss goodbye every time you visit the grocery store

• the guy you went to the farmer’s market with that one Saturday in August and told them your favourite tv show was Mrs. Fletcher? 

• the ghost your roommate used to see in the old apartment

• You realize the list is short, and you don’t have many enemies. You make a mental note to make some.

3. You and Simone catch up. You must address the cosmic forces that brought the both of you to this CityMD line for at least 10 minutes. I say, “It’s crazy because this is the middle of the workday for me!! I shouldn’t be here!”, and she gives you a look that says you should probably go home. 

4. You talk about the incessant rain, if they’re going to accept the job or not! Big important stuff. You move a couple spots ahead. 

5. The rain gets worse and you start wishing you were in the ladies fashion store, Ashley Stewart across the street.

6. You’ve exchanged every relevant thought left in your brains. You both get quiet and start to think about what brought you to this line, how much you resent the systems that enforce this line and when is lunch?

7. You finally get invited to the waiting room. It’s different, it’s fun this time- you’re in a room instead of a sidewalk! You wave to your friend from the socially distanced chair and and Sheryl Crow is playing. 

8. You try to talk to your friend, but the space doesn’t necessarily invite chatter. 

9. You get tested. 

10. Is your friend still there? Was she ever there?? Oh right, she is there and waving again. We love to wave to each other. We exchange experiences. Simone is convinced she still has covid.