Boomer Chicks Mask Up

By Mary K. Lanza

Boomer Chicks Mask Up is the sequel to Losing the Boomer Blues and Boomer Chicks. Covid-19 changed the lives of people throughout the world. Mary, Jane, and Lucy feared the deadly virus because seniors were its number one victims. During the pandemic, hatred exploded, and America had to come to terms with the worst disease of all, racism. Boomer Chicks Mask Up follows the chicks along on a journey back to losing the boomer blues.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665530927

Mary K. Lanza

Mary Lanza is the author of Losing the Boomer Blues and Boomer Chicks. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. During her lifetime, she has made every effort to listen to her creative self. Being a writer, collage artist, and romantic, she has forever devoted her time to artistic endeavors. Website: www.marylanza.org and www.authormarylanza.com

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© 2021 Mary Lanza. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/12/2021

ISBN: 978-1-6655-3091-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-3092-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021913486

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter One The Seventies

Chapter Two The Eighties

Chapter Three The Nineties

Chapter Four The 2000s Millennium

Chapter Five The Obama Years

Chapter Six February 2020

Chapter Seven March 2020

Chapter Eight The World Turns a Sad Eye on America

Chapter Nine The End of 2020 and Donald Trump’s Presidency

Chapter Ten Joseph Biden Becomes the 46th President of the United States

INTRODUCTION

A mysterious virus is spreading throughout the world. Mary, Jane, and Lucy thought that living in the now would ease their boomer blues. But as the year 2020 unfolds, a deadly virus is taking the lives of dozens of Chinese citizens in Wuhan City. The novel coronavirus spreads rapidly throughout China and Europe. Italy is the worst-hit country outside of China. Cases of the virus in Italy surpass those in China. Ten towns in Italy are locked down. When the virus finally reaches America, the government is not prepared to battle it. President Trump refuses to listen to science and insists it will disappear. It hits New York City hard, taking hundreds of lives. Tragically, there is no vaccine on the horizon.

President Trump informs the governors of each state to fend for themselves. Hospital workers plead for more testing, PPE, and ventilators as increasing numbers of people fall ill from the virus. In early March of 2020, Governor Newsom of California ordered a shelter-in-place. Mary puts her wedding plans on hold, Jane’s business slows, and Lucy begins to paint dark subject matter.

At the end of March, President Trump called for a voluntary national shutdown. Nearly all the governors issue stay-at-home orders, but a few of them refuse to mandate social distancing guidelines. In May, most of the world seemingly keeps the virus at bay. But the United States finds its cases and deaths surging to unimaginable high numbers due to division, politicizing science, and a general lack of leadership.

Although the governors try to mitigate social interaction to decrease viral spread amongst their populations, the virus spreads to high-risk populations like convalescent home residents. In states where there are no Covid enforced protocols, the effect of the virus is horrific, especially among the people who are already battling pre-existing illnesses.

The murder of George Floyd forces people to cry out for an end to racially motivated police brutality. Black Lives Matter protests grow across the country as riots taint peaceful protest marches. President Trump never addresses racism, violence, and police brutalities. He does nothing to unify the country. Mary, Jane, and Lucy mask up and march to end systemic racism. The virus is spreading, people are dying, millions have lost their jobs, and police murder of unarmed Black people has triggered mass protests.

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CHAPTER ONE

The Seventies

I n the winter of 1974, Jane rented an available storefront on Market Street to showcase her photography. Her friend, Andy, a gay artist living in Castro Village, worked part-time at her photography shop. He was a close friend of Harvey Milk and Scott Smith, who owned Castro Camera. He introduced Jane to Harvey and Scott, and instantly, they became good friends. They had a lot in common politically as well as professionally. Coens Photography was Jane’s heart and soul, and Castro Camera was likewise for Harvey and Scott. She fell in love with what was happening politically as well as artistically at Castro Camera.

Jane and Bob bought the building right before the Christmas holidays in December. Andy helped them decorate the shop with Christmas cheer. They strung red and green lights around the front window and planted a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the center. Andy dressed up as a Christmas elf, and Jane posed as Santa’s helper.

Playfully, Jane asked, Bob, why don’t you be our Santa? She walked over to the elaborate old oak chair and sat on Bob’s lap. She whispered, How about playing the part on the weekends?

Bob replied, No can do, babe. I’m too busy selling property. I’d love to, but we have bills to pay.

Jane said, We’ll make do without you, but you’ll miss out on all the fun.

Andy said, Too bad I’m so darn thin, or I’d fill in for you, Bob.

Bob replied, Believe me, I wish I could play hookey, but I flat out can’t.

Bob was running his real estate business, and he couldn’t become Jane’s full-time Santa Claus. But he wasn’t going to disappoint Jane. On December 10th Bob’s friend, Ken, walked into the shop wearing a Santa’s suit. Jane wondered if he could be the answer to her prayers.

Ken said, Bob told me you needed a Santa for the Holidays.

Jane asked, Did Bob hire you to be our Santa?

Yep, I’m taking some time off from acting until the members of the Mime Troupe return home from New York City. Bob thought I could help you out, and I can use the money.

Andy asked, Where did you get that outfit?

It was my dad’s. He used to dress up as Santa every year when we were kids. I’m carrying on a family tradition.

Ken made the best Black Santa ever, and kids came from all over the city to sit on his lap and pose in front of Jane’s camera. Coens Photography became well known during the Christmas holidays. The business was thriving. Ken played the role of the Easter Bunny, dazzling children of all ages in the spring. And Andy posed as the clown who turned every kid’s frown upside down. Lucy stopped by occasionally to sketch Jane’s customer’s favorite photographs. She even drew a caricature of Harvey for one of his campaign buttons.

October 20th, 1975, Lucy dropped by Jane’s photography shop on her way to Castro Camera. She had vintage cameras from the late forties with her that Grace wanted her to deliver to Harvey. She walked into Jane’s shop and asked, Hey, Jane, do you want to come along with me to Castro Camera?

Jane grabbed her purse and replied, I could use a break. Andy, can you handle things until I return?

Andy answered, Of course. Say hi to Scott and Harvey for me.

Will do. I don’t have any more appointments until tomorrow morning. If someone wants a passport photo taken, you can do the honors.

"No problem. I was hoping you’d say that.