. mule skinner blues

[theo lovett]

THEO i am seriously missing our catch ups. wanna sit on opposite sides of your front door to talk tonight?

[lily mccarthy]

LILY I can set you up a deck chair a socially distanced 6 feet away so you don't fall asleep against the door again? Will put a beer in your cupholder, the whole bit.

[theo lovett]

THEO honestly, how'd you manage to be so pretty and so nice? most girls who look like you are bitchy, dumb or both.

[lily mccarthy]

LILY Not an LA native, I think that's usually a good start. Also, no one should be bitchy toward healthcare workers right now. Should we play telephone through tin cans and a string?

[theo lovett]

THEO true, the girls back home weren't so bad either. i'd love that! i'll scrub for about an hour before i come see you, i never feel properly clean these days. how've you been holding up?

[lily mccarthy]

LILY Do you always feel like you're wearing a mask? I read somewhere people keep trying to pull them off their face when they're not there. I've been alright though - keeping myself busy with face time calls, music, reversing my sleep schedule. Ordered some plants to try to keep alive, that'll be a journey. How's your brother?

[theo lovett]

THEO phantom mask syndrome! either that or i start thinking i have it, or that i've given it to ollie, or both. are you regretting not going back to albuquerque? he's okay, thinks i'm overreacting about the risk of infecting him but i just don't trust his immune system. how's yours?

[lily mccarthy]

LILY I'm sure being around the hospital never helps the worry. Yes and no, though. I call my mom every day, but I miss her and hope she's not feeling lonely. On the other hand I'm better in a routine and that's what I've developed here, plus Cleo's been a riot. He's alright though! Social distancing with the dogs which I think he prefers! Sidenote, do you want a BLT? I'm making one.

[theo lovett]

THEO if it's not me it's elyse, we both just quarantine ourselves in our rooms and text when we're going to the kitchen so we don't see each other. ngl, it's getting pretty lonely. that's fair, i'm sure she's coping. tell me all about your routine! god, she must be climbing the walls, i'll pray for you. fuck yes! you are the best.

[lily mccarthy]

LILY Between gloves and Lysol wipes I bet your hands are raw. Happy to be of social distanced company as I can. Well, at this point I wake up at 2pm, drink an espresso, watch an episode of The Crown, fiddle with my guitar or songwriting as I feel, get sucked into social media, chat with my mom, eat dinner at 10pm, indulge Cleo's antics, facetime with Zac until like 3 or 4am, repeat. Healthy, right? Fab, hope you like butter.

[theo lovett]

THEO you don't even want to see them. you're keeping me sane, you angel. no idea how i'm gonna repay you but i am. uh, apart from the facetiming in the small hours yes. someone once told me there are no good conversations at 3am and i agree! but so long as you're staying sane. ugh, you are a saint.

[lily mccarthy]

LILY You're doing more for this world than most people right now, you owe me nothing. Why, because delirium sets in? I think they're insightful! and you are helping me justify another late night sandwich! Win-win all around.

[theo lovett]

THEO aww c'mon, it's not like that. just how it is at the moment. yeah, everything feels weirdly poignant at that time. but so long as you're having fun. i'm gonna be huge by the time this is over.

[lily mccarthy]

LILY It is in the grand scheme of things! Makes you realize that some important things in life can actually be so silly. Is there a 'be careful' coming next? I'm grateful none of us can bake, we'd roll out of our apartments.

[theo lovett]

THEO i'm enjoying the break from drunk teenagers! at least you can work from home, right? you should do an insta live, i'd tune in. no no, you know what you're doing i'm sure. true, cleo's attempt at bread was.... something.