Dear Corona

Chapter 2

 Tuesday the 31st of March, 2020

Dear Corona,

This morning, the sound of knocking at my door woke me up. It was 07:15 am, time for breakfast. I took a tray off the cart and politely smiled at the waiter, who I couldn't recognize because he was wearing a medical mask. I put the tray on the table and went back in my bed and took a nap until 9 am. I had some vivid dreams about trees and a lake in my country. For a moment I thought I was home, but I wouldn't let my mind fool me. When I opened my eyes, I could hear my stomach rumbling with hunger. I thanked God for the nice and full breakfast: three eggs, two slices of bread, peanut butter, strawberry jelly, a cup of coffee and additional milk creamer for it. When I finished eating breakfast, I picked up my phone and started looking through unread messages from the last night.

Tyen made a photo collage out of all our selfies and posted it in the group. It made me smile for a long time. It was so cute and kind of her, and I always respected those kinds of things that someone would prepare for me.

Nora notified us that her manager called her to come back to work. She requested it because she couldn't stay alone in her cabin and she wanted to see her boyfriend, Melvin. She will be our 'secret agent'. She will give us news about happenings onboard, and all the things that she hears from other people, so we should know what to expect. I wasn't sure about that idea, or if it was it even good. Sometimes it's better just to be surprised by the things, rather than overthink about all the different endings when you can't change it, right?

Okay, so, yesterday I mentioned something about my life. And yeah, I'll tell you more, today. As you know, dear Corona, my name is Calvin Bassett, and I'm from Montenegro. As I also told you yesterday, I was born in Seattle. Unfortunately, my family and I had to leave United States when I was 5 and to move to Montenegro. It's a small country located in south-eastern Europe, right across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. Not many of people have heard of Montenegro, and I am positively surprised when they say that they went there on vacation. I came onboard this ship as bartender. I know I could get any other position easily, but I had the most experience at this one. If I could, one day, easily change my department, I would definitely go into entertainment. I was in drama club during elementary and high school. I joined the ship somewhere in October 2019. The main reason for my joining the ship was to travel, make some money so I could stand on my own, and to meet new people. I've met a lot of people by being onboard, and a lot of things have happened since I arrived, but that is a whole another story that I might tell... one day.

Let me introduce you to my friends that are there for me 24/7. I think the Universe connected all of us, in some weird way, since we are all from different departments and countries and I have come to really love them.

Tyen – At first I had difficulties pronouncing her name, and she would give me a dozen what-the-hell looks. She is oldest among us, and she acts like our big sister. She is caring, she is supportive, and she gives a hell of a lot of advice. She joined this ship in January as an Art Director. I remember walking towards the pantry, with a broken glass that I needed to dispose of inside, when I saw her. I just randomly stood beside her and asked:

''Should I give this to you so you could put it on art auction? I bet you could earn a lot for it. Look, it looks completely original.''

''Umm. Maybe?'', she said trying to figure out if I was joking or being serious.

''I'm just joking. Welcome aboard.'', I said and she smiled with relief.

''Dude, I thought that you are serious!'', she proclaimed and rolled her eyes.

''I thought that you understood sarcasm. So, where are you from?'', I asked her politely.

''Vancouver. What about you?'', she really wanted to know but got distracted by the papers she was putting on her work table.