Gemotions

"Sir, your medical records indicate a… history of excessive fondness for competitive eating and a severe allergy to tap water." The nurse, a young woman with wide, innocent eyes, seemed genuinely distraught. Robert, who was a vegetarian and drank only bottled spring water, found it all hilariously incongruous.

He bit his lip, trying to maintain a straight face. He imagined the other patient, a burly man named Gus, probably bewildered to discover he was allegedly allergic to hot dogs.

He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "I assure you," he began, his voice barely a whisper, "that's not quite right." The thought of Gus's confusion made him feel strangely delighted.