Gemotions

The waiting room buzzed with the low hum of fluorescent lights and the nervous chatter of anxious patients. Amelia kept her gaze fixed on the cracked linoleum floor, tracing the patterns with her toe. It had been three months since the diagnosis, three months since she'd promised to be more careful, to prioritize her health. Now, across from her, sat a man with the same haunted look in his eyes, the same tremors that occasionally seized her. He had to be one of them. She felt a knot tighten in her stomach. He looked younger than her.

He finally spoke, his voice raspy. "Is this…is this about the Fibrosis?"

Amelia nodded, unable to meet his gaze. It was the only thing that made sense.

"I’m Liam," he offered, his hand outstretched. She forced herself to shake it, the touch electric. She had been so selfish.