Monday, January 4th, 2021

The shortcut to the mall is dark. A few pale, yellowed lamps glow above the path around the playing fields, but no light shines on the larger road that runs past the club and the roller skating pen. To my left, I hear recorded music and people playing basketball. I can't see them in the shadows. I wonder if they can play strictly by sound. I start to walk down the road. We're a few nights past the full moon. The moonlight is enough. Still, I recall that months ago, when I last walked here, construction blocked the far end. That sent me off course, even in the daylight. I take a path out to the parking lot and head to the street. I hear traffic. No cars go past. The sound must be from the freeway, far from here. I only see one other person on the street. At the entrance to the mall, the few customers each hold a hand up to a mounted thermometer. It proclaims “Normal temperature” in English. The guard lets us enter. He doesn’t bother to check most people’s bags. Out of habit, I have mine open. He glances at it and waves me in. Inside, the lights are dim. A handful of people stand around. I see the bright lights of the supermarket at the end of the hall. That’s all I need.