Socially Distanced: A Quarantine Novella

“The future is way too much of a mystery now, huh?”

I turn my head toward her, wishing I could see the expression on her face. I can hear a shuddering sigh coming from her balcony.

“Kendra? You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she says quickly. “Got to get inside and shower. My water time is coming up.”

“Okay.”

“Talk to you tomorrow?”

“Sure.”

I hear her balcony door open and close. Though I can’t hear well through the glass, I’m sure she’s crying.

Chapter Four: Day 140

I twirl in a circle, letting the warm water of the shower cascade over me as I rinse off. I’m in a hurry today, which is unusual, and I’m smiling in anticipation. It’s such an unfamiliar feeling that I barely recognize it at first, but I know exactly why I feel this way.

She’s waiting for me outside.

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I have something to look forward to. I haven’t felt anything like it since before all of this started—before we heard the first breaking news story. I haven’t felt this kind of anticipation since before I realized I was a carrier, and there was no cure for me. I hadn’t looked forward to anything since then, and certainly not since I’ve been here.

Here, in quarantine, there is only existence. Actual living has become a thing of the past. At least, that’s how it has been until now—until she moved in. Every day for the past week, Kendra and I had managed to spend time on the balcony, sharing our luxury items, talking, and of course, masturbating together. It was a little twisted, I admit, but it gives me something to look forward to when I roll out of bed.

Someone to look forward to.

I jump out, throw on some clothes, and grab the pack of smokes off the table. Kendra isn’t there when I walk out onto the balcony, so I smoke alone, waiting for her to join me. When my cigarette is gone, my chest starts to tighten up a little.

Where is she? Why hasn’t she come out yet?

I swallow hard, trying to force myself to stay calm. It’s not like we have a set time to be out here; it’s more random than that, and I have no reason to feel so anxious. Still, a deep sense of dread envelops me, making it hard to draw breath.

Jake never did come back out.

I push those thoughts aside and light another cigarette. Halfway through it, I hear the sliding glass door open. I let out a long breath as relief flows through me. I look to my left, and Kendra leans over the rail, wearing nothing but a loose T-shirt and silky-looking pink panties. She grins at me, and I’m instantly hard.

“Hi there,” she says, still smiling at me.

“Hi, yourself.” I unabashedly look her up and down.

“Sorry I’m running a little late today,” Kendra says, “but I overslept, and then the damn water turned off on me before I was done. I ended up with shampoo in my eyes and had to use my bottled water to get it out. I tried using that crappy toilet paper to dry my eyes, and bits of it got everywhere. I’m pretty sure there’s a piece under my eyelid. It still hurts. Anyway, it’s been a shit morning. How are you?”

“Better now that you’re out here.” I toss her a cigarette.

“Oh yeah?” Kendra lights the smoke and leans forward on the railing. Her breasts touch the top of the rail, and I can tell she isn’t wearing a bra.

“Yeah.” I lick my lips, still staring at her hardening nipples against the cold metal of the barrier.

“Sean, were you getting worried?”

“Maybe a bit.” I shrug and look away. I’m starting to feel a little uncomfortable in my pants.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

“You look like you’re ready for me.” Kendra raises an eyebrow before pointing at my crotch with her cigarette.