Cedric brushed with all ten fingers through his light brown hair. How can he convince Wendy to get on a plane and come home right away? If this virus thing gets out of hand, she might get stuck in Milan and who knows how that will end. What is so important about fashion that she can’t drop everything and get out of there?

He looked through the window but saw nothing, sick of worrying about his wife in Italy on a business trip.

Pacing up and down in his study at home, he dialed the number again.

“Hi Honey, I just want to know what’s happening over there.?”

“And I told you everything is fine. We’re wrapping up the deal and if everything goes as predicted, I’ll fly home in a day or two.”

“Excellent. What are they doing about the Covid19 business? Are they taking precautions?”

“I’m sure the government is working on a plan. Now, stop worrying and relax. I know things look a bit scary at the moment, but things will work out. You’ll see. Remember Exodus 15 verse 26.”

“Whatever. Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Seal the deal and get out of there. And don’t socialize. That’s how the virus gets spread.”

“Yes Daddy.”

“Come on, Wendy, I’m only concerned. Didn’t mean to preach. Or to sound like your dad. Though I’m sure he’d say the same to you.”

“Sorry Honey, but you worry too much. Really, I’m very careful, but I need to clinch this and there’s a lot to do before this day ends. And I need a good night’s sleep, because tomorrow is another big day. You take a nice hot shower and get into bed with a good book tonight. I’ll call you sometime tomorrow.”

“Why does your voice sound so scratchy?” He had only noticed the sound in her voice as he was about to say goodbye.

“Just a little dryness. I’ve probably talked too much today. It will be better after a good night’s rest.”

“Take care of yourself. Love you Sweets. Let’s talk tomorrow.”

He disconnected the call and went to the kitchen to make coffee. He looked through the window and imagined his wife waiting on the patio with a glass of wine. Daylight was fading fast. He changed his mind about the coffee, poured a glass of wine and went back to his home office to see if he could finish some work before he turned in.

Almost three hours passed before he noticed it had turned dark outside. It was still early, but he needed a break. Too much wine would make him sleepy, so he switched on the coffee machine this time. While waiting for the coffee to brew, he stretched his arms, flexed his muscles and thought about Wendy.

With a steaming cup of frothy coffee, Cedric reclined in front of the television and pressed a button on the remote control. Flipping through the channels he decided on a news program for an update on Covid19. His insides tied into a knot as the latest statistics revealed that the infection rate in Italy, France and Spain had soared during the last twenty-four hours. The death toll had risen alarmingly, and the hospitals could hardly accommodate the sick.

He couldn’t help himself. He dialed Wendy’s number. Engaged. He waited a few minutes and tried again. Still engaged. He will not just sit around and do nothing. He sent a message on WhatsApp hoping she would get it and call him.

He went back to his office and started up his computer. The first flight out to Milan was late the next day. He booked a seat and dialed Wendy’s number again. “The subscriber is not available.”

“Wendy, call me,” he shouted as if she could hear him.

While he was back at his computer, he thought, he might as well get some more work done. After an hour he gave up. It was impossible to concentrate. Tomorrow I’ll get on that plane and drag her home if I have to, he promised himself.

Following her advice, he stripped and turned the shower to almost steaming hot. He could feel how his muscles relaxed under the onslaught of the water. Finding a book that would hold his attention would be a different matter. He quickly finished his business in the bathroom and started packing an overnight bag for his trip to Italy.

It was still early, and he was too agitated to sleep. Reading a few articles on Medium might be helpful. With his cellphone in one hand, a glass of wine in the other, he scrolled down through a few articles until he found something that interested him. He needs some spiritual strengthening right now.

Halfway through the article he dropped his phone on the side table. He’d never been dissatisfied with any article he’d read on Medium. Especially an article written by one of his many favorite writers. Atheists as well as spiritual stuff and self-improvement writers.

Well, he thought, no one is perfect. At some point even the best writers missed the point. But what was the point for him right now? Safety? Protection from the virus? Reuniting with his wife? Yes, of course, that’s most important. But why did it feel as if he wanted more? He didn’t know.

Cedric woke up not knowing at what point he fell asleep. He’d been dreaming about his mother. He saw her gentle, smiling face. She said one word: “Life.” over and over in his dream she said the word.

He remembered when he was a child, she would tell him more than once: “Cedric, life is important. Nothing is more important than life. He still had the birthday card on which she wrote the word. But she had written it capitalized, Life.

Dear Mom, not now, please. I don’t have the stomach for this Biblical stuff right now, he thought. He got out of his easy chair and went to bed. The clock on his nightstand said it was half past one in the morning. He sank back into a dreamless sleep immediately,

He woke up to a changed world. It was still dark outside when he sank into his easy chair, coffee in one hand, TV remote in the other. He flipped from one news channel to the next, not believing his eyes and ears. Italy is on total lockdown. The Covid19 death toll was out of control, new infections could not be contained. Frantically he ran for his cell phone and dialed Wendy’s number.

“Honey, what is going on over there? I saw on the news Italy is on lockdown. What does that mean? How does that affect you?”

“Cedric, Darling” her voice quivering, “we’re not allowed out of our hotel rooms. Everything has come to a stop. We’re getting tested for the virus and I don’t know what to expect.”

“But you’ll be negative, right? Tell me you have not been in contact with any infected persons, please, tell me …”

” I don’t know that for sure. We are among people from all over the world, even China.”

“But you don’t have symptoms, do you?”

“I did register a slight fever on the scanner. When I told them about my sore throat, I was instructed to stay in my room, not let anyone in except room service. I am to stay away from the delivery person and wear a mask while he is here. He’ll probably leave the food at the door.”

“No, no! I’m coming over and I’ll get you out. You’re not staying in Italy one more day.”

“Cedric, haven’t you listened to what I said? Didn’t you watch any news programs.? We’re on lock down. I will be arrested if I leave my room. I’ll be arrested if I let you in. You cannot come here. Please, stay calm and stay at home.”

“How can I stay calm if I know you are in danger?”

“I’ll be OK, believe me. You need to trust me if you cannot trust God.”

“You and your God! You both drive me crazy. I’ve already booked a flight. I’ll find a way to get to you. Stay put, I gotta run.” He killed the call and checked his booking for the following day. It says, “on hold.” What does that mean? He’d already paid in full.

Frustrated now, Cedric called the booking office from his landline and was informed that all the airports in Italy were closed. No flights were allowed to take off or land. No flights, in or out. They were trying to divert their flights and see if passengers could get into Italy by any other means, but the notification came minutes before, that all border posts were closed. He slammed down the receiver, slumped down in his office chair in defeat and dropped his head in his hands. What a mess! He dialed her number.

“Wendy, Darling, you’re right. All borders are closed. My flight is canceled. I don’t know what to do now.”

“Cedric, listen to me carefully,” her voice stronger now, more confident.

“We’ll sit this out. Everything will work out, you’ll see.”

“I can’t see how.”

“It’s because you don’t know God. Did I tell you earlier to read Exodus fifteen verse twenty-six? Did you?”

“No, I was busy planning my trip to Italy.’

“Well, go read it. You’ll see why my test results show negative. We received our results as you were dialing my number. I have a slight cold and nothing more.”

Cedric exhaled mightily. They talked some more and ended the call, both feeling at least a little encouraged.

Finding a Bible, he sat down in the den and looked up the scripture Wendy wanted him to read. It seems God is speaking to the Isrealites. He promised not to let them get the diseases of the Egyptians. What has that got to do with Covid19? Wendy is not an Isrealite. She is not even Jewish. And the Corona virus came from China, not Egypt. This simply does not make sense, he thought. He dumped the Bible on a side table and went to the fridge to get a beer.

“God, you really drive me crazy. And I don’t even believe you exist.” Something deep inside Cedric prompted him to take up the Bible again. Taking a sip of the cool liquid, rolling the pleasant taste around in his mouth, he put the beer down and picked up the book. Aimlessly he paged around, read a verse here, paged on and read something again.

In the weeks that followed, Cedric watched every program that showed news about Covid19 and especially about Italy. The statistics were overwhelming. How could anyone endure such devastation? Italy was in mourning. And so was France and Spain with many other countries on a lesser scale. His lifeline was his ability to communicate with his wife.

Also being in lockdown, Cedric worked from home and accomplished much. Without the buzz and distractions at the office, he actually got more work done than during normal times. But his routine was set. No later than seven at night he would switch off his computer and take his mobile phone for a chat with Wendy. Afterwards he would watch some TV while paging through the Bible.

Close to the end of the seventh week of lockdown, when the president of the country promised to lift some restrictions soon, Cedric, his anxiety about his wife’s safety subsided, his isolation accepted as the new normal – communication with colleagues through Skype, and social life consisting of barbecue with the neighbors, each on his side of the fence – became aware of an emptiness inside him. He always believed he lived a full and fulfilling life. Now it all seemed useless and in vain.

Desperate to find meaning in his life, he started reading the Bible more structured. He took one book at a time and studied it intensely. Still, it meant nothing to him. It all sounded like gibberish to him. How can people, how can his intelligent wife believe such nonsense. He threw the book against the wall in frustration.

“God, if you are in that book, show me. Talk to me. Show me what I am missing. Show me what Wendy is seeing.” He stormed to the kitchen and poured a glass of wine, intent on getting drunk. Back in the den he felt guilty for throwing the Bible. He went to pick it up, but stopped with his hand still two feet from the book. It was lying open halfway in the middle. Is that possible? It is like the printed words sprang out of the page, right into his face. He could read the words at that distance: “The fool says in his heart there is no God.”

What? I’m not a fool. I have a good understanding of life, he thought, a little less convinced that usual. He grabbed the Bible and started paging. Another verse jumped from the page: “Do not lean on your own understanding.”

Goosebumps covered his skin and he started shivering. “God, is it you speaking to me? Or have I gone over the edge?” The next scripture that jumped out at Cedric did send him over the edge. The edge of unbelief. “I am the good shepherd. My sheep know my voice.”

He pressed his face into the open book, fell down on his knees and sobbed.

“God, God, forgive me.”

A month went by with Cedric eagerly studying The Word. He wanted to tell Wendy, but each time they talked, he hesitated, then decided against it. He wanted to make sure he was not merely delusional because of his loneliness. Deep inside, though, he was completely convinced of The Truth.

She saw him first, dropped her hand luggage and ran into his arms. He held her so tight, she could hardly breathe. He buried his face in her hair, smelled her fragrance, whispering “You’re home, you’re home.”

Finally standing back, she looked intently at him:

“You look different.”

“I am. Let’s go home and I’ll tell you about it. I’ll tell you all about the revelation I had during my time of isolation.”