There was a time when Amy’s basement was a gathering space for her son, A.J., and his friends. Each day, they would come home from school, congregate in the basement, and ready to tackle their homework. Once homework was completed, they would go to the corner shelf and find something to do, whether it be art-related or a board game.
Then COVID hit and since then, Amy’s basement has become a ghost town. A.J.’s friends’ parents no longer felt it was safe to let the kids hang out at A.J’s despite the bottles of hand sanitizers Amy had bought.
(100 words)
This is Another Story 
I like how you considered the arts and crafts items, and sanitizer, along with the games. And the post-covid ghosting vibe wfir this image so well
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
COVID really did a number on community.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many things never went back to normal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like my work…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s tragic what the government response to COVID did to relationships, and especially to children and the elderly. Thankfully, it seems to be a thing of the past.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And hope it remains that way.
LikeLike
Yes, the Trump Administration not only failed to meet the moment but their lies and misinformation and enabling the insurrectionist antimask/antivax movement lead to countless more deaths and erosion of public trust. But we all know that Trump doesn’t give a fig for American people just his own self-interest.
LikeLike
It’s interesting to me how, even though Covid has faded in importance, we’re still affected by the rules and regs that it engendered. Really good write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recently came back from a trip to Asia and it was interesting to see how big of an impact the pandemic had on the people over there, like all service staff must wear face masks. I don’t think there’s a person in this world that’s not affected by this period.
LikeLiked by 1 person
sad that the gathering space has become empty. hopefully, only for a while.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel for all the A.J.s of the world. Good story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person