Thread by @Scribulatora

OMG. My last pick up was an older woman, perfectly coiffed blue hair, pale coral lipstick, a beautiful St. John knit skirt suit. As she was closing the door her neighbour came running out asking if they could tag a ride. Her sigh was audible. The window went down a sliver.

“Are you vaccinated?” she asked from other side of the back seat.

The person said “That’s none of your business, (name).”

“Then no,” she said and the window closed tightly.

“Drive,” she said to me with a little wave of her hand as she put on a pair of sunglasses Jackie O would have envied.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said with a chuckle and she nodded like that was the answer she was expecting.

We didn’t talk at all for the twenty minute drive other than when she asked if I could turn the radio to CBC.

When she got out, she tapped her cane on my window and I rolled it down. “Thank you,” she said and turned and went into the polling station.

She refused assistance going up the steps from an older gentleman and, Lordy, I’ve never seen posture like that in my life. It’s like she’s putting all her energy into not looking frail.

I await her majestic return. #Elxn44

(When I asked her if I could describe this experience to folks on social media she looked at me a moment (in the rear view) and then sighed and nodded - other than that we didn’t talk.)

She should be coming back soon so I’m going to get out and wait by the car door. It will be my honour to open it for her but something tells me she wouldn’t like the fuss of me jumping out. But if I’m already out …

I won’t, of course, but I’ve never wanted to photograph anyone/a moment so much in my life.

On the way home she looked pensively out the window, her elbow on the arm rest, two fingers resting lightly on her cheek, thumb under chin. I took the scenic route, across the open spaces of the original Acadian Dykeland, past Grand Pre, towards Blomodin.

“That was my last vote, I imagine,” she said when our gaze met in the rear view. I nodded my head to and fro in a “you never know” motion and the barest smile turned the stern set of her mouth into something soft and kind.

A little sigh-laugh shook her shoulders and she looked back out the window.

When I walked her to her door she put her hand on my arm and squeezed and then disappeared inside.

I feel I was afforded a privilege today. #Elxn44

Now time for some supper before I report in for the evening shift at the polling station where I will play the part of a greeter and hand sanitizer/mask wrangler. Fish and chips in Hantsport maybe, or a Donair in Falmouth. I’ll enjoy the drive, anyway.

I’ve gotten a few DMs, so feel I should explain. By prior arrangement, due to a health condition, this lady provided a negative test and only wore a mask when she went into the polling station. I was masked. We are both double vaccinated. It was safe.