Bea Longing

Hi! I’m Emily Bea Long. Please allow me to introduce myself. I have good grades and I work hard to make my parents proud. I like to play with garden gnomes and I laugh really loud. I’m student council president and a bit goofy. I’m always pleasant, and when my teacher calls on me I say ‘present’! I live in a place outside Chicago. Have you heard of Elmwood Park? It’s just like any other place. We have firefighters, police officers, doctors and nurses, construction workers, bankers, grocery clerks, lawyers, and teachers. My town is filled with all sorts of great people! I like to crack jokes, eat moon pies, and ride my blue tricycle around town. My dream is to be Elmwood Park’s Best Singer! But then my life changed. “Hey, I’m Ariana! I’ll take the story from here. I’m Emily’s best friend, I want to make that clear.” “Ariana back off! This is my story to tell.” “Yeah, but Emily, you don’t tell it well!” “Oy! You’re pressing my buttons.” “Whatever, Emily, now let me begin!” The year is 2020 and in March her world turned upside down. Suddenly Emily had reason to frown. People were sent home from work, she couldn’t see grandma until further notice, and her mom’s nights at the hospital got longer. People purchased toilet paper in big packages. It seemed like Halloween wasn’t just one time a year. School was over too...so she thought. Her dreams were over, gone down the drain. She was forced to sit and wonder: Will E-Swizzely come out from under? No summer vacation, Mom bought a pool for home this year. Emily tried to make summer not drag, she was about ready to throw in the rag. Mom and dad turned on the news. Emily thought to herself: “What The Heck Is Covid-19… And Why Is It Giving Everyone The Blues?!?!?” Her mom said not to worry, wash your hands, and use sanitizer in a hurry. Emily did as she was told, but the nights grew cold. She had no friends. She lost her strive to be bold. And staying home was getting OLD. She needed change, her world was dark. Emily wished for a little spark. School started, it was different this time, she could only see her friends and teacher online! Emily disliked being home. She missed her clubs. She imagined the school’s bathroom stalls stunk like nobody’s poo. And Mrs. Worbly’s gross cafeteria food seemed good too. Emily Bea Long started to feel like she didn’t belong.