Rose had never seen anything like it before. City Road at peak hour was usually bumper to bumper with cars, trucks and buses all jostling for position. Today it was almost empty. As she stood waiting to cross the road, a bus trundled past. A lone passenger stared out of the window at her, their face obscured by a surgical mask. There were no pedestrians on the footpath, the Thai restaurant and the café that Rose stood in front of had been closed for weeks.
Rose shivered, she couldn't shake a sense of impending doom as this virus pandemic continued to impact everyone's life. The lights changed and she scurried across the road, desperate to reach her studio apartment. Once there she could close the door and pretend the outside world didn't exist. We may all be in this together, Rose thought, but when it comes down to it, we're all alone.
***
Ten minutes later, Rose sat on her couch, the last of the afternoon sun coming through the window behind her. Breathing a heavy sigh, she knew that she was safe and secure for another day. And her day would end on a high, her erstwhile lover and friend Anna was on her way over.
After many months of being attracted to her vivacious, sexy personality, and one failed attempt, the two women had spent a loving, sensual evening together at the start of the year. Any form of relationship had proved difficult, however, as Anna lived in Brisbane and trips to Sydney were generally to stay with her elderly parents. The virus had changed all of that. With working remotely now suddenly acceptable in a lot of companies, Anna had moved down to Sydney a fortnight ago in order to be closer to her mum and dad. The two friends had managed to meet once but agreed that they would take things slow due to Anna's parents.
The intercom buzzed, shaking Rose out of her reverie. She let Anna into the building, then left her front door ajar. Half a minute later and Anna came through the door. But this wasn't the bubbly, energetic Anna that Rose had grown to love. Her friend looked distraught, her eyes red rimmed she assumed from crying.
"Anna, hey, what's wrong? Why are you so upset?" asked Rose. The two women approached each other and hugged. Rose looked up into Anna's eyes and brushed a few strands of her blonde hair away from her face.
"The lockdown, it's been announced. Wednesday midnight. Borders shut."
"Slow down, slow down, you're not making any sense. Here, let's sit down. Take a deep breath and tell me what's wrong." Rose gestured towards the sofa. Anna sat and resumed talking.
"Okay, okay. Sorry, too many jumbled thoughts in my head. So...lockdown confirmed, six weeks from Wednesday night. That's only two days away! Borders will be shut, which wouldn't be an issue if I stay with Mum and Dad. After all, I moved down from Brisbane to be with them, right?" Rose nodded.
"And this afternoon the Premier announced that people with elderly relatives should seriously consider not coming into contact with them until after the lockdown."
While Rose knew this had been likely for a while, she hadn't heard the announcement, as she'd been doing online Macroeconomics lectures as part of her third-year course. With the university's campuses closed, all her learning was online in her apartment.
"No, I hadn't heard that," said Rose, softly. "What will you do?"
"I will have to stay away from my parents, I can't take any risk with them. I talked to them just now and they think it's the most sensible thing to do."
Rose knew how close Anna was to her parents, and how hard it had been for her to live in Brisbane, separated from them because of work. Suddenly the chance to be with them again looked like being taken away, so it was understandable she was annoyed and upset.
"I think you are making a very hard decision, but the right one in the circumstances," said Rose. "Does this mean you're going back to Brisbane?"
Anna shook her head. "I've tried to get on a flight all day, no luck. I'm going to have to call Ryan tomorrow and see if he can put me up for a few days. Keep trying to fly home, deal with quarantine...this is such a mess."
"Ryan? But - but you and your brother don't get along that well, do you? Do you think he'd be okay with it?"
Anna laughed bitterly. "I don't have that many other options, do I? Mum and Dad will make sure he falls into line, it'll be okay." However, her facial expression belied those positive words.
Rose looked at her friend. "You could stay with me, you know."
Anna smiled and shook her head.
"Thank you, Rose, but you do live in a shoebox. I can't expect that from you."
Rose smiled back at Anna. "That is true, it is on the small side of tiny. But the offer stands, okay?"
Anna nodded and lent back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. Rose sat next to her, took a hand in hers and squeezed it.
"You'll be okay, your folks, they'll be okay."
"Thanks, Rose, I know. Just feeling a little overwhelmed right now."
"Aren't we all." Rose understood that Anna wore her heart on her sleeve at the best of times, now she was even more sensitive. The right thing to do now was sit back, listen and be a friend.
The two women spent another hour catching up, Anna calming down now that her emotional tirade had been voiced. They sat, hand in hand, sharing their thoughts, fears and desires.
"You know Rose," said Anna, "I wish your flat was a little bigger, the way I'm feeling right now I'd take you up on your offer."
"What do you mean?"
"Sitting here with you I feel safe, loved, wanted. You're such a good friend, thanks."
"You're welcome."
Anna leant over to Rose, kissing her softly, tenderly. Rose responded, the two friends holding each other close, content to share the moment with each other. They broke the embrace, Anna stroking Rose's cheek.
"I think I'd better go, sweetheart, otherwise I know where this is heading. As much as I want to repeat our night at Jess', I really need to get back to Mum and Dad's and sort my accommodation out."
"Of course, I understand," said Rose.
Anna prepared to leave and went to the bathroom. While she was out of the room, Rose checked her phone for emails. A news alert caught her eye - "State Government allows COVID buddies." She clicked on the link and read the story, smiling as her mind came up with a plan.
"Hey, Anna, look at this story," Rose said, as her friend re-entered the room. Anna took the proffered mobile phone and began to read.
"At tonight's media briefing, the Premier announced that with the impending lockdown, those living on their own would be able to share their accommodation with one other person. This would not contravene previous rules on social distancing and personal contact. The move comes as an effort to address the looming mental health crisis for those facing long term isolation."
Rose looked at Anna expectantly.
"So what do you think?"
"About COVID buddies?"
"Yeah, want to be my COVID buddy?"
Rose walked over to Anna and put her arms around her waist.
"The Premier says it's okay, what have you got to lose?"
Anna looked at Rose. "Are you sure, it's such a small space."
Rose nodded. "Of course I want you to. You're my friend, you need help and this is a no brainer. Besides," she leered at Anna, "you can remind me of what we did at Jess' all those months ago."
Anna laughed. "COVID buddy or fuck buddy? I'm beginning to warm to the idea."
Rose drew Anna close and kissed her.
"Then get yourself back to your parents place, pack a suitcase and bring your beautiful body back here."
