Peggy Tarr: Always

May and Joe were a Black couple who had married in their late teens. Both had retired when they were in their late 60s. 

May had worked as a domestic and a caregiver. Joe had been a groundskeeper, chauffeur and security guard. May frequently said, “I spent all my life taking care of white people’s bodies or houses.” This was not said in anger. It was just a fact.

May and Joe did not agree on everything, but they seldom got into a heated argument over their differences. But a year ago, the COVID-19 vaccine led them to decide not to discuss it anymore.

May had received the vaccination, but Joe refused to get it. He argued that America had a history of experimenting on Black people (see Medical Apartheid, a book by Harriet A. Washington, a medical ethicist).

As May and Joe sat in their chairs watching the news, the increase in the numbers of people infected with the virus and deaths was reported.

May looked at Joe and said, “Joe, please get vaccinated. I understand your fear based on the history of the Tuskegee Study, but one of your friends said that he was going to get the vaccine, and that if he got to the vaccination site and saw that some of the vaccines were labeled ‘Black’ that would be the only reason he would not get it. Joe, please get the shot.”

Joe said nothing.

Unexpectedly, May started sobbing.

Joe got up and went over to her. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and gave it to her. He stroked her hair. “Baby,” Joe said, “Don’t cry. Today is Valentine’s Day. Please don’t cry. If it means that much to you, I’ll get the shot. You can go with me to make sure I do.”

With that, Joe bent down, put his arm around May and began to sing: “I’ll be lovin’ you always, with a love that’s true, always. When the things you’ve planned need a helping hand, I will understand, always, always.” They loved Always, the classic by Irving Berlin.

May wiped her eyes, blew her nose, smiled at Joe, wished him a Happy Valentine’s Day and joined him in song: “Days may not be fair, always. That’s when I’ll be there, always. Not for just an hour, not for just a day, not for just a year, but always.”