The Virus Cowboy

Blame it all on Covid.

I imagined a young boy upset that his grandmother had to go to a special care home and, during COVID-19, had to visit her through the window. The boy decides to rescue his grandmother from the institution.

The Virus Cowboy

Grandma was forgetful. She forgot to turn out the lights; other times, she didn't turn off the stove. Sometimes she didn't remember Kenny's name.

Kenny's parents thought it safer if Grandma went to a special-care home where people would take good care of her. The move upset Kenny because he missed Grandma's stories and the times he curled up with her on the couch. The care home was nearby, so Kenny could visit and hear his Grandma's stories of Zorro and pirates there, but it wasn't the same.

The virus came to town one day, putting the care home under lockdown. Kenny's family visited through Grandma's window, making Grandma's stories hard to hear and understand through the glass.

"Why is Grandma in jail?" Kenny asked.

"She isn't in jail," Mom said. "We can't visit inside because there's a virus, and we don't want Grandma to get sick."

"Who's going to tell me stories?" Kenny asked.

"We'll read you stories," Mom said.

"It's not the same," Kenny said.

Kenny thought Grandma should come home because he had strong superpowers against viruses. He believed the magic words from Grandma's stories, like "Abracadabra," were good medicine.

The next day, after Mom went to work at the office and Dad began typing on his computer, Kenny prepared to save Grandma. He wore his white cowboy hat, a black mask over his eyes, a Superman cape, and a blue bandana. Grabbing his red plastic Zorro sword, he mounted his scooter named "Horse" and shouted, "I'm coming, Grandma."

Kenny crossed the quiet streets safely and rode to the jail entrance. He tied Horse to the bike rack and ran to Grandma's window to reveal his plan.

"We're making a jailbreak!" he yelled.

"I'm ready!" Grandma yelled back as she got her walker and coat.

Kenny marched back to the entrance and rang the doorbell.

A space alien answered the door, wearing a plastic shield over its head and a blue mask, cap, and gown.

"I've come for Grandma," Kenny said. "It's a jailbreak." Kenny pointed his sword at the alien's mask.

"I'm sorry, Kenny, I can't let you in. You might spread the virus," replied the alien.

"How did you know my name?" Kenny asked.

"I'm your neighbor, Mrs. Smith," the alien said. "You dress like that all the time in your backyard."

"You don't look like Mrs. Smith, you're an alien, and you've got Grandma." Kenny tapped the alien's mask with his sword. "Be careful. I have superpowers!"

"Excuse me," said the alien, "let's make this fight fair." The door closed.

The alien returned with a broomstick handle and said, "Now, let's settle this on the sidewalk."

Fear gripped Kenny's heart as he faced the tall alien with its long reach and a broom handle twice as long as Kenny's little red sword. "Be brave," he said, trying to calm himself.

"Let's go," the alien roared. The battle began with swords flashing and clashing with the "thonk" of Kenny's hollow plastic blade. The alien, clearly an expert, forced Kenny back.

Kenny checked to look at Grandma, who was hooting and hollering, her arms waving. At that moment, the alien sent Kenny's sword sailing into the flowerbed with a flick of its wrist.

Kenny felt the dull point of the alien's broomstick against his chest. "The matter's settled," the alien said. "Grandma stays."

"I'll be back," Kenny said as he retrieved his sword and untied Horse from the hitching post.

After lunch, Kenny tried again. He disguised himself by wearing everything backward, his white hat, the mask behind his head, and the cape in front. Kenny tied his blue bandana beneath his nose, making a blue mustache. Wearing his pants and shirt backward was difficult. Buttoning the shirt first, he pulled it on like a sweater. A string over Kenny's shoulder held up his pants because he couldn't close the zipper or pants button. He checked the mirror. Nobody would know him now except his mother, who'd recognize his red underwear sticking out through the open zipper.

He rushed back on Horse to the entrance. The alien greeted him at the door. "I've come for Grandma," Kenny said, waving his sword.

"Not now, Kenny," the alien said. "People need my help."

"How do you know my name?" Kenny asked.

"You didn't cover your face," the alien explained.

"But I had…." The door clicked shut. "…a blue mustache," moaned Kenny.

Dejected, Kenny gathered Horse and went home. He waved at Grandma as he passed her window, and she smiled.

At supper, Kenny didn't say much. He had failed Grandma.

After supper, Mother said, "We bought Grandma a laptop, and we'll do a Zoom chat tonight.

"Oh good," Kenny said. "Maybe Grandma will tell us a story."

Grandma winked as she told a story about Zorro challenging a nurse to a swordfight and how Peter Pan flew by with a red bottom and waved at her. Mom and Dad laughed. Kenny enjoyed the story too, but he blushed because the tale almost sounded true,

 except for the part about the nurse.

"I love you, Grandma," Kenny said. "I'll be back soon."

Just then, the phone rang. Mom answered the phone. "Oh, hello, Mrs. Smith."

Suddenly, Kenny could feel his mother's glaring eyes. Rising from the couch, Kenny muttered, "Time to brush my teeth," and escaped.