March 2020

Alyssa, "I don't like that they closed the border today."

Teddy, "it won't be for long."

Megan, "you can cross. You have both passports they can't deny you entry."

Alyssa, "there's no flights if I needed to go to LA."

Owen, "if you need to you can come home. They can't deny you crossing the border you're an american citizen."

Alyssa, "it's for pleasure travel both ways. I don't know if I can come back if I go down."

Teddy, "your a citizen they can't deny you."

Alyssa, "it's scary. If I get hurt or sick you can't come to me."

Owen, "let us worry about that."

Alyssa, "what about mom? She has to be higher risk."

Teddy, "she is. She's immune compromised. She'll have a plan."

Alyssa, "what if?"

Owen, "if your mom gets sick we will get you to her. You can cross the border if you're a citizen, they can't deny you."

Alyssa, "I'm worried."

Teddy, "call and tell her."

Alyssa, "you're all going to be in the thick of it."

Teddy, "we are. And Lyss it's not great. You are to avoid crowds and people. Get your groceries and anything else you can delivered. Shop online."

Alyssa, "mom?"

Teddy, "talk to her."

Alyssa, "are Leo and Allison okay?"

Owen, "they're going to spend a lot of time with grandma."

Alyssa, "how can I help?"

Owen, "keep calling all of us and texting. Teddy and I are on the front line of it all. Your brother is going to get lonely . Keep talking to all of us."

Alyssa, "I will and don't lie to me. Don't sugar coat the situation."

Teddy, "we will. Lyss be careful and stay safe."

Alyssa, "I will."

Alyssa called Megan.

"Lyss," Megan greeted trying to sound cheerful.

"Mom," Alyssa replied, "they closed the border."

"I know," Megan said, "we'll be okay it won't be for long. Just a few weeks let this get under control. You're okay."

"But if you got sick or something happened," Alyssa said, "I can't get home."

"You can," Megan replied, "you can cross but there will be a lot of restrictions."

"I don't want to now but need to if anything happens," Alyssa worried.

"Right now we're all okay," Megan replied, "we're getting extra beach time. I'm working on my research because I can't be with patients at the moment."

"Mom will you be okay," Alyssa asked.

"Why I'm working from home and doing research lady bug," Megan replied, "to keep me safe."

"I can't," Alyssa started.

"You will not lose me again," Megan assured, "we will still talk daily. Hows Matt?"

"Not working right now so he's taken the main floor down to the studs," Alyssa replied.

"How does that work," Megan asked, "if he's not working."

"I'm carrying all the bills," Alyssa replied, "I was going to pay for the renos anyway. I don't want him paying for structural things on my house anyway."

"This relationship," Megan asked.

"It was uncle Owen's advice," Alyssa replied, "his name is not on my house."

"What if something happened to you," Megan asked.

"Faroke, Leo and Allison," Alyssa replied, "everything is documented to go to my siblings."

"Cousin," Megan tried to correct Alyssa.

"No," Alyssa replied, "siblings. It's what I decided with Uncle Owen and Auntie Teddy. Remember three and a half functional parents."

"Half," Megan asked, "how do you get three and a half."

"One dadish person in Uncle Owen," Alyssa said, "two moms in you and Auntie Teddy."

"I still don't get the half," Megan said.

"Nathan," Alyssa replied, "he's not a typical step dad."

"Okay," Megan replied, "he is worrying about you though."

"I'm okay," Alyssa said, "working from home while Matt is ripping drywall down and rewiring things is hard."

"That would be loud," Megan agreed, "can you work at home?"

"It's weird," Alyssa replied, "I miss being able to bounce ideas with people and not have to set up an appointment to do so."

"It's lonely," Megan agreed.

"How long do you think," Alyssa asked.

"A few weeks," Megan guessed, "we don't know yet but these lock down measures should help."

"Worst case," Alyssa asked.

"We're not thinking that way," Megan directed, "stay home. Avoid people."

"I am," Alyssa replied, "uncle Don is creating lock down playlists and Auntie Wendy has a daily fun challenge we have to text her pictures of us doing."

"Share them," Megan said, "how is she doing that?"

"Whats App," Alyssa replied.

"Share them with us," Megan replied, "I'd love to play since I'm home."

"I can ask Auntie Wendy if I can add you to the group," Alyssa suggested, "is Faroke okay?"

"School online does not look exciting but what can we do," Megan asked, "it's not for long."

"I hope not," Alyssa replied, "and I want to go back to the office."

"You will," Megan replied, "let them figure this out and get it under control and you will. It'll be okay lady bug."

"Mom," Alyssa asked.

"You are okay," Megan replied, "you're good. You're safe where you are. You have your house to work on. Keep hiking and doing SAR."

"What do I need to do for SAR," Alyssa asked.

"Wear gloves to touch victims," Megan said, "get and wear a good mask if your less than 6 feet from them. You're outside as far as we know it's okay outside."

"Auntie Teddy is working with COVID patients," Alyssa replied.

"Your aunt will wear full PPE and be okay," Megan assured, "Alyssa we will all be okay."

"Leo and Allison," Alyssa asked.

"Are with Grandma," Megan said, "you've lived with her."

"12 years ago," Alyssa replied, "Uncle Owen's was better. Same number of rules but better food and more activities."

"They'll be okay," Megan said, "they're so little."

"Its hard when you're little," Alyssa said.

"You would know," Megan agreed, "I'm going to go start dinner. Call me tomorrow?"

"I will," Alyssa agreed, "we could try zoom so I can see you."

"Lets do that," Megan replied, "coffee date?"

"We can have coffee," Alyssa agreed, "see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow ladybug," Megan replied, "I love you."

"I love you too," Alyssa replied before hanging up.