No one likes going to the doctor. Right?
Wait, do they?
I don't know, maybe they do—but it doesn't seem like anyone here does. It's a gorgeous, bright blue day outside. In here, though... these white walls with blue and green stripes dividing them just feel sterile. The reception area has dark gray carpeting like a bunch of interconnected brillo pads and gray couches with wooden arm rests that might even be made out of the same stuff as the tables in the exam rooms.
I'm waiting in line to check in, but now I'm fighting back a smirk because I'm picturing the couches in the waiting room as if they were covered in that razor-thin paper that gets rolled out on the tables.
There's a couple of people ahead of me. I'm actually grateful for the extra bit of time because I'm trying to figure out where I'm supposed to check in and where I'm supposed to wait. The signs out front pointed this way and said everyone has to check in here first. The signs in the hall said the same thing. And the one right next to me at the start of the line, too. But my phone just got a text and told me to use the link provided to check in. So I do.
The woman in front of me shuffled in a sort of hunched-over wobble when approaching the counter, but she spoke with a booming voice. I felt my head pull back and my cheeks stretch as I tried to keep my surprise to myself.
"You are now checked in!" says my phone.
Sooooo do I keep standing here?
Or go sit?
The receptionist's voice snags my attention. She's directing the woman with the booming voice across the hall with a tablet to finish filling stuff out. After winding down her directions, she pauses. Drawing herself up, she lifts her chin with a bright smile and says "And you have a GREAT day" in a soothing, steady voice.
Wow.
My turn. And our interaction is short; I already checked in. But after telling me to have a seat on one of those gray, water-repelling couches, she pauses to look right at me and deliver the same salutation.
* * *
When's the last time someone injected some warmth into your day?
onward.
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