COVID Diaries

By The Collaborative Press

A collaboration of short stories from Christian authors to inspire and encourage.

 

Love in Lockdown, Joi Copeland
Being a germaphobe during a global pandemic sent Riley Smith's anxiety level to new heights. Receiving a text she thought was from her brother, Riley confides in him regarding her anxiety attacks. Realizing the person on the other end of the phone is not her brother, Riley comes face to face with her past - Grant Reynolds.

Stray Dog Love, Rebekah Rodda
Jemma is just coping with working full-time and managing her volunteer-run stray dog sanctuary in the country of Georgia. Then the coronavirus hits, causing her school to shut down and her all her staff to leave except for one: Murray. He's fun to be around with a faith she finds intriguing but he's only planning to stay for a few short weeks. Will Jemma ever find someone who loves her and the dogs enough to stick around?

Fear No More, Sara Beth Williams
Growing up together, Jocelyn's brother's best friend Brent was nothing short of obnoxious. Now they're older and he's still obnoxious, but also incredibly handsome and alluring. If only he would stay in town longer than two days.
When they finally close the states-wide distance between them and begin a solid relationship, a world pandemic erupts, ripping apart the very fabric of everything Jocelyn holds dear.

No Better Time, Audrey Appenzeller
Jen Turner's life was hard before the pandemic hit. Now it's impossible. Shaky job situation. Mounting bills. And a twenty-year old car that's more rust than metal. As life crumbles around her, Jen discovers help might come from unexpected places.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Collaborative Press
• Release date: Jul 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9780648664963

Book preview

REVIEWS

COVID DIARIES CONTAINS four short stories: Love in Lockdown by Joi Copeland, No Better Time by Audrey Appenzeller, Stray Dog Love by Rebekah Rodda and Fear No More by Sara Beth Williams. This is a great, quick read that almost everyone can relate to in some way this year. There are old friends, new friends, loss of and separation from family and friends, job loss, moving, anxiety . . . everything relating to Covid-19 . . . yet, even in these uncertain times, love, forgiveness, and hope shine through. I enjoyed reading these and hope you will, too! Jill, Goodreads Review

I DON'T KNOW WHOSE idea this was, but it is brilliant!  For one thing, I'm getting acquainted with new authors I'd never heard of before. For another, the stories are very real.  I love how these people are trusting the Lord and praying for healing from this virus. Kelly, Reviewer

THIS BOOK INCLUDES four delightful and heart-warming stories to help while away the time in isolation or fill in a cosy afternoon’s reading. While all are written in a unique way, and all highlight the challenges of living through the restrictions of a Pandemic, there are some unexpected twists and pleasant surprises along the way. A pleasant read. Jenny, Goodreads review

A GREAT BOOK OF SHORT love stories of a time when life was hard, lonely, and depressing. Bonny, Reviewer

ALL STORIES PROVIDED a timely message for trusting God in the midst of chaos. I loved the evangelistic theme spread throughout! What a neat collection of stories! Naomi Craig, Author

THIS IS A NEAT COLLECTION of stories!! By far my favorite story is Love in Lockdown by Joy Copeland. This one was great! Thanks to a wrong number, Grant reconnects with his high school love, Riley. Now, nothing, not her anxiety, not corona virus, can keep them apart! There's no shame for a Christian needing to take medication for anxiety, and this story puts that into perspective. I have friends that deal with anxiety, and I'll be recommending this to book to them! Trudy, Goodreads Review

DEDICATION

Dedicated to all who struggle with anxiety, depression, or any mental illness.

My prayers are with you!

Joi Copeland

LOVE IN LOCKDOWN

by JOI COPELAND

CHAPTER ONE

JUST BREATHE.

Riley Smith bent over, squeezing her eyes shut. Heat traveled up her spine, raising her body temperature to over a hundred degrees. Her breathing became shallow. Sweat formed on her hairline while her mind whirled, as if on a roller coaster. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

I can't, Millie, Riley struggled to form the words.

You can. Tell me five things you see. Millie held up a hand.

Riley pried her eyes open and took in her surroundings, the apartment she shared with her best friend. I see the beige walls, the brown couch, the barstools.

Good, Millie encouraged. Two more.

I see the picture of Jesus laughing and the painting your boyfriend gave you of the mountains.

Okay, let's keep going. Tell me four things you hear.

I hear your voice, the buzzing of the fridge, the breeze rattling the blinds, and the radio. Riley's heart slowed its speed.

Three things you can touch, Millie pressed on.

Riley ran her hand over the couch. I feel the microfiber cushion, your hand on my arms, and . . . She wiped the sweat off her face, the icky sweat.

Millie chuckled. Nice. Two things you smell.

A tight smile lifted the corners of her mouth. I can smell the rolls burning in the oven and your vanilla perfume.

Her best friend handed her a bottle of water. Tell me one thing you taste.

The cool liquid swished in her mouth and down her throat. The water. I taste the fresh water.

Better? Millie’s brown eyes filled with hope.

Ugh. I hate, hate, hate anxiety. Riley sniffed. Why does it happen out of the blue?

Millie stood and moved to the kitchen. I don't know, sweetie. What's different about today than yesterday?

Riley rested her head against the couch and sighed. What was different? The world falling apart, maybe? Her worst fears coming to life? I'm just scared about the corona virus.

The burnt smell wafted toward Riley. She wrinkled her nose.

You saw the governor's speech, then? Millie plopped down on the couch beside her and patted her leg.

Riley nodded as her shoulders slumped. I know this means you need to go home.

Yeah. My mom and dad need me. I don't want to leave you here by yourself, though. Millie twisted her long brown hair into a bun. Can your parents come stay with you?

No. They are helping my brother with Michael. It's only been three months since Sarah's death, and he needs them. Riley rolled her shoulders. I'll be fine, Mils. You need to take care of your family.

Let's go out tonight. Not all places have shut down yet. Let's go get some Chinese and then watch a movie. I need to leave first thing in the morning.  Millie pulled Riley to her feet and wrapped her in a hug. I'll be home as soon as I can.

I know you will. Let's go eat. Apparently, I shouldn’t cook dinner when there’s a global pandemic.

Millie giggled. I agree. So, I'm going to make sure you have food that you can just pull out of the freezer.

I'm kidding, Mils. She waved her hand. I'll be fine.

I'll drive. Millie scooped her keys from their key box near the front door of the apartment.

Riley closed the door behind her, breathing in the clean air of Colorado. How had a virus spread from China to the United States so quickly? A few months ago, she'd calmed her elementary students when they were worried about the virus. She'd told them it had similar symptoms to the flu, that they had nothing to worry about. Sure, a few cases were in Washington, but none were in Colorado. Buckling her seat belt, Riley stared out the window as Millie drove to the best Chinese restaurant in town. People on the streets seemed fine. No one wore a worried expression. How do they do it? Riley had no idea. One day, she hoped to find out.

Chapter Two

HEY, SIS.

Grant Reynolds' fingers flew over the keypad on his phone.

I received my new phone in the mail today. Who would've thought we couldn't go into a store to trade in phones when ours quit working? Ah, the joys of pandemics. Anyway, this is my new number. How are you?

Grant set his phone on his desk. He'd entered in everyone's number he could remember in the contact information. What a horrible time to drop his phone in water. Next time he’d backup to the cloud.

Grant turned his ear to the DJ from the radio station he’d been listening to. Remember, folks, the DJ’s voice filled the room, The governor's speech a few days before closed most stores and restaurants. Y’all can exercise outside, but only six feet apart. No malls are open, no hair salons. The governor encourages people to work from home, to stay at home as much as possible. Grocery shopping and getting gas are still permissible.

Oh, yeah—he needed to head to the store to pick up some more food. And maybe fill up his gas tank while he was at it. With prices so low, he might as well.

Grant's phone buzzed, drawing his attention away from his computer.

Hey, bro. Thanks for the update. I'm doing ok. Working from home is tough. How do people do this? Miss you and wish you were here.

A grin tugged