I had a particularly sociable day yesterday. It began with a funeral.

Greeters A+B, seated at a table with a list of names, took ours. Person C ushered us to a hall where chairs were spread out in pairs like little islands on a sea of blue tile. We chatted with friends S+T and S(2) came and found us, in his suit. It was his dad’s death we were helping mourn so hugs were exchanged.

After the powerpoint of pictures to music, there was the funeral mass. At the exchange of peace, we waved gentle hand motions to strangers E, F, H. After the songs sung through masks, we exchanged happy hellos with Christian’s retired colleague, G.

We went home to get to eating lunch, where, having been locked out of the house and having been forced to spend time outside in the serendipitous weather, we reunited with our children and our daughter’s two friends, M + V.

Plans were drawn up for the afternoon. I took the girls back to V’s house and chatted with V’s mom, M(2). I dropped off a glass cake pan at J’s house where she made me a turmeric latte, where we drank it outside in the warmth of the sun-soaked deck on cool wicker chairs while her kids L+M(3) played around us in the yard. Her husband, D, came home. More chitchatting ensued before I left to bring my youngest to a birthday party.

Since I missed the turn onto a street called Beaverhill, I was four minutes late and only rushed greetings were exchanged with the organizing mom L(2). Then I went to pick up my daughter at her friend’s house where her dad, J and I talked about dog-ownership. If dogs counted in contact tracing, there would have been two to add to this list, besides my own… Midnight had a cone, Piper sniffed at my pant legs and purse.

When it was time to pick up the youngest from his festive activities at an indoor gym, I exchanged a few words with waiting mothers W and X and crinkle-eyes that now passes for a smile with Y.

Tuesday, barring any surprises, my contacts will extend only to people as they live on paper.