Ever since the beginning of coronavirus, all Lia did was stay at home.

Lia would play her same games.

And Sing her same songs.

It felt like everyday was the same for Lia.

It was Sunday, which meant the same old football and burgers for Lia and her family. 

Lia woke up and stumbled downstairs looking dreary as ever. She sat down at the kitchen table with one big “Hmph.”

“What’s wrong?” asked Lia’s Mom.

“Everyday is the same here. There is no more excitement for me as a 7 year old,” Lia responded.

Lia’s Mom and Dad looked at each other and knew that she needed some time out of the house. 

Lia’s Mom packed up her purse and told Lia they were going to the market!

Lia was so excited to get out of the house!

She grabbed her mask and headed out the door with her Mom. 

In the car, Lia looked down at her mask and asked, “Mommy, why do we have to wear masks now?”

Lia’s mom responded, “They keep us and everyone around us safe from catching the virus.”

Lia put her mask on and said, “It keeps falling down! And it is making my nose itch! Do I really have to wear one?”

Lia's Mom replied, “I’m sorry, but we all have to wear one. I will try to make our errands quick so we don’t have to wear them long. Now, please put your mask up, we are here!” 

Lia hopped out of the car and grabbed her mom’s hand. She had not seen this many people in a long time. 

She was nervous to see the crowd, and she was hesitant to take a step forward.

Lia’s Mom knelt next to her and said, “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to. But we are outside and everyone seems to be distanced from each other with their masks up.”

Lia looked at her Mom and said, “I can do it.”

Lia’s Mom said, “Okay, but if you get nervous, just let me know and we can leave.”

Lia took her Mom’s hand and started walking towards the market. 

The first stop was to the bakery, Lia’s favorite.

She always got to taste the fresh baked bread.

Lia stomped up to the stand and looked to the man she knew, ready for a sample.

“Sorry little girl,” said the bakery man, “we aren’t allowed to give out samples anymore.”

Lia was very upset. Her bread was supposed to be the best thing about her trip, and now was is gone.

“It’s okay,” said Lia with a sigh.

Her Mom picked up a loaf, and they moved on.

Next stop was the sunflowers.

Lia’s Mom always got a bouquet of sunflowers for Lia’s Grandma because they were her favorite.

Usually, Lia’s Mom let Lia pick out the flowers, and she always picked the ones that smell the best.

As Lia pulled down her mask to smell the flowers, the lady at the stand ran over and told Lia to put her mask up.

Lia said with a sad look on her face, “But I always smell all the flowers to choose which are the best!”

The flower lady responded, “I’m sorry, but the new rule is to keep you and everybody around you safe.”

Lia and her Mom picked some flowers and moved on.

The next stop was the veggie stand. Lia and her Mom needed tomatoes.

Usually, Lia would hold up all the tomatoes to see if there were any mushy spots. 

But there read a sign saying, “You touch it, you buy it!”

Lia’s Mom said, “Okay Lia, you can’t touch all the tomatoes this time, so the one you touch has to be ours!”

“But how do we know which are mushy?” Lia asked.

Lia’s Mom replied, “We will have to get a few extra, just in case.”

“Can we at least go to the playground?” Lia asked as she looked up at her Mom. 

“Of course. Let’s head there now,” said Lia’s Mom.

When Lia and her Mom approached the playground, there was a big lock on the gate and a sign that read, “CLOSED.”

Lia’s Mom looked down at Lia and saw how upset she was.

“Let’s just go home," said Lia’s Mom.