Hopefully One Day Soon

Art by Elyssa Chou

Writing by Eva Ingber

Mom, turn your camera on. I can’t see you. 
—
Nope, 

I still can’t see you. Your volume isn’t on 

either. 

It says you’ve joined the meeting but you still need to connect to audio and video.  
—
Hmm, okay.
—
Let me see...
—
No, okay, Mom. Stop. Hold on. Can you just…
—
I know you’re 74. Yes, Jesus, 
I’m being patient.  Mom, 

can you just—
—
Just turn your phone around 
and show me your computer screen. 
—
Yes, turn the phone 
around 
and show me your 
screen 
so I can tell you what buttons you need to press. 
—
Okay, 
move your mouse towards the button 
in the corner, 
right there. No wait—

not that one. 

Yes—okay,
that one. 
—
Aha! Yes! Hi, Mom!!! I can see you!!! Can you see me?
—
Now press the button next to the one you just pressed,
‘Join Audio.’ 
—
Great. Now 

say something.
—
Haha! 
Yes, 
this was an 
‘ordeal.’ 
I’m going to hang up 
the phone now since we got it working.  
Let me call down the kids 
so you can say 
Hello
to everyone now. 
—
I know, 

we miss you, 

too
—
Hopefully one day soon