Wednesday—April 1, 2020

"Please tell me this is an awful April fool's joke," I say, my voice cracking. "I don't care if you were being mean, just say it's not true."

"I'm sorry, Bella," Alice says, and she's sniffling into the line. "I'd never be so cruel."

I blow out a heavy breath, fighting my own tears. I've given him enough, but that doesn't mean I can't still be sad for him, for the entire situation. "How's Rosalie holding up?"

"That bitch," she snarls, her angry voice ricocheting into the line. "Word on the street is that she packed her shit and left as soon as she got her negative result."

I can't help it, I laugh. "Word on the street? Seriously, Alice."

"Okay, fine." She pouts, her anger simmering down. "Remember Mike from the floor below us? That's what he said."

"Unless we know it to be a fact, let's assume it isn't." I pause, pursing my lips. "Do you have a reliable way to stay in the loop on his prognosis?"

"Kate accepted my request to join the Facebook group she created, which I thought was nice, considering." Kate is Emmett's older sister who already lived in Seattle. She's the reason he came to U-Dub in the first place. "It was her earlier update that informed everyone he'd been put on a ventilator."

"Did she say anything else?" I ask, hoping there's a bright spot somewhere in her words. "That it wasn't necessary and they're being precautious, or that it's only temporary?"

"She didn't." Alice sighs. "He hasn't been very nice to me since I helped you through his cheating, but I hate this news. I truly do."

"Me too."

"I'll tell ya," she says, "I don't know what I'd done if Jasper had ended up in the hospital. Kate said she'll be getting updates when the doctor finds time to call her, but no one is allowed to be there for their family."

"Yeah, I figured as much." I shiver at the thought of anyone going through something like this alone. "He so young and healthy. I don't understand why it'd affect him so badly."

"That's why this virus is so scary," Alice says. "There's no rhyme or reason to it."

My mind drifts to Edward and his bi-weekly trips into town to stock up on supplies. It's where he is this very minute. Chances are high that even if he gets the virus, he'll be okay, we'll be okay. But being slapped in the face with a reality like this makes you reevaluate what's really important.

"It definitely has me questioning a few things," I ponder aloud.

"That sounds serious," Alice remarks, drawing me from my thoughts. I'd forgotten she was still on the line. "Wanna talk about it?"

"No," I say, shaking my head. "I don't. This was just a wakeup call, ya know?"

"Oh, I know."

My mind is going a million miles a minute as it creates dozens of scenarios where it isn't Emmett on that ventilator but Edward is instead. I wouldn't survive if something were to happen to him. Over four thousand people are dead and almost a quarter of a million people are infected, and he's been taking all the risk for this family and business.

"Bella."

"I'm here," I answer, distracted. "But I need to go. I don't think we've been taking this seriously enough."

"Is Edward wearing a mask when he leaves the vineyard?"

"Should he be?"

"It's not an official recommendation yet, but the South Koreans do, and they're managing it much better than we are."

"But don't the doctors and nurses need them?" I ask, remembering news stories about PPE deficiencies. "I've seen plenty about shortages."

"Yeah, but a simple Google search should give you some ideas on how to make your own. Talk to Mom. She has a sewing room," she says, her tone much more upbeat than it was at the beginning of our call. "I haven't tried yet, but neither of us will leave this apartment without wearing one."

"Point taken." I bob my head. "Thanks, Alice. For keeping me updated on Emmett and for being an awesome sounding board."

"Anytime, girlie."

Do any of my readers have a hankering for writing? Maybe you wanna try and start with something small? The A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words image contest is open for Summer Blowout entries. The word limit is 500. ANYBODY could write that, and you also submit an image. The contest page link is on my FF author page to get the deets!

See you once more this week :)