Me: Your birthday party’s not happening now, Ants. Sorry!
Anthony: Well, I wouldn’t have been able to come along anyway, Jules, so it’s okay.
Me: Between the time I thought of the idea to now (just a few days!) we are now in semi-lockdown, there are local cases of Covid 19, the border to Western Australia will soon open, and we are already having to wear masks everywhere.
Anthony: Just a light-hearted suggestion, Jules – perhaps you could buy a more cheerful mask? With your dark sunglasses and your black mask you look like a bandit.
Me: Not funny. None of this is funny, Ants. It’s all very well for you, safe in Heaven.
Anthony: Yes, I have to admit that dying when I did was incredibly wise timing.
Me: The whole world has changed since then; it’s a bit scary actually.
Anthony: Are you afraid you might contract the disease and die because of your asthma?
Me: Well, yes, I guess….
Anthony: What’s really bothering you?
Me: I invited your brother and his wife to your birthday party which isn’t happening now anyway.
Anthony: And….?
Me: They didn’t even bother to reply.
Anthony: And….?
Me: Part of me hoped for some sort of response from them, out of respect for you I guess. Last night I rang their home phone to tell them the party was now cancelled but nobody answered so I just left a message.
Anthony: That was very sweet of you, Jules.
Me: Yuck! I hate that word ‘sweet’ Ants – stop calling me that!
Anthony: That was very generous of you, Jules.
Me: Much better!
Anthony: We gave up on them a long time ago, Jules. I’ve escaped that grief by dying but you are still there trying – oh, that rhymes! Stop trying.
Me: I just wanted to have a little family get-together to remember you, Ants!
Anthony: Well you can’t now anyway due to Covid 19 so just concentrate on yourself, Ming and his partner.
Me: Okay, yes, okay. So what do you think of her?
Anthony: Bloody beautiful!
jmgoyder 
lucky there is always some good with the bad –
I felt sad. And then I smiled at the end. xo
Oh well Covid buts in again