next in line

 Frankie took Tori to get a test somewhere near the campus. He found a way she could get it free, but they wouldn't find out the results right away. She felt a little lost not sure what to expect. She hated doctors, and it still felt unreal that she would be here, getting a COVID test.

Naturally, Frankie had had several of them, even in different countries. Of course, he didn't tell her about the pain and the nurse only said, "It might tickle."

Tori thought she was obviously wrong about that statement, she thought she might have gotten infected just from the swab. It was excruciating. She was certain blood was gushing down her nose about now, but it wasn't.

"Why don't I get you a milk tea?" Frankie said afterward. He'd seen a tea place not so far from here. "I haven't tried that place yet, but it is open." Which was saying a lot, these days snow blanketed the campus and there were always some sort of weather closure. But the sun was out today.

Tori felt immediately frail as if her immunity was about to collapse. She was too tired to worry about having COVID. Yes, she'd fought it for so long with sleepless nights and feeling so low. And still, it was only the beginning.

But Frankie was optimistic. It wasn't long until she had her Earl Gray and it was lightly sweet. Yes, she was relieved to have it. Happy to taste the flavor. It reminded her of the times when she was out with Frankie on a warm sunny afternoon. But now, he started talking about yoga while in his little white jeep, oh so toasty on a brutally cold afternoon.

"What?" Did she hear him right? He was teaching yoga? "How."

"Online," he said he was with a studio that only did classes these days without students in a white room with a camera. "Do you want to sign up?" He smiled with a light laugh.

She looked at him puzzled as if she would be the one on video, not him.

"Don't worry, you don't have to. It can get expensive," Frankie told her he'd be happy to do yoga with her at home.

She nodded, thinking how fortunate he was to just go on. Tori still felt she was stuck, just waiting for the worst possible scenario to develop.

"Let's go to JOANN'S," Frankie took her hand. "You know, you need yarn."

He sounded as if she needed to make him a hat. "I want a barret this time. Make it pink for Valentine's day." His smile was infectious and she smiled back.