Covid Diaries: Love in the time of Covid

Day 13 - Ibiza

Brian wasn't accustomed to seeing himself as an essential worker. He'd started working at the local grocery store as a cashier a few months before Covid-19 spread in March 2020. He chose the job as easy cash. He was 19 years old and was living with his parents. He was hoping to use the additional funds as spending cash. His parents wanted him to quit, they worried he'd get infected with Covid at the store. Brian decided to continue working since his age group wasn't at risk. Besides, getting another job would be impossible during this time.

On his walk to work, he put on his Spotify playlist and disconnected from the world. The trance beats took him away to his time in Ibiza. He was dancing with his friends at Space club. Neon green lights flashed above him. Paul Van Dyk was spinning. Jumping to the beats, he could feel every beat pulse through his veins. His mind focused on each transition and he let his worries go.

Reaching work, he put on his mask, gloves and got busy at the cashier. There was already a line of impatient shoppers forming outside, standing two feet apart eager to get their shopping done before the crowd grew too large. The day moved slowly for Brian with only a few limited conversations with shoppers. His mind went back to Ibiza. This time, he was at Ushuaia club. Purple lights shimmered across the large pool, the club was packed full, David Guetta's beats pumped across the venue. It was one of the most memorable nights of their Ibiza trip.

"Excuse me, how much are those protein bars?" asked a young male customer.

"Let me scan and check, it's $15.99 for the pack," replied Brian.

"Great, I'll grab them."

After his last customer, Brian closed out the cashier and started his walk home. He didn't feel safe taking public transit. It would take him a half hour to walk home. Putting on his headphones, he turned on his playlist. He thought about the number of tequila shots he consumed with his buddies pre-drinking before the Swedish Mafia House concert in Toronto. The sound quality at the Rogers venue was amazing. Blue lights flashed in sync highlighting the crowd with each track.

He wondered when concerts would be back on again. Any outsider looking at him walking down the street would look twice, his arms weaved in and out to the music, head bobbing to the side.