Gemotions

The doctor’s office felt suddenly too warm, the floral wallpaper pressing in. Amelia tapped her foot, a staccato rhythm against the linoleum floor. She’d come in for a routine check-up, expecting a quick blood pressure reading and a friendly chat. Instead, she’d been handed a file containing the medical history of… someone else. Someone with a laundry list of ailments she’d never experienced, including a condition that required a specialist. Amelia stared at the file, her jaw clenched.

“Are you sure this is correct?” she managed, her voice tight. The receptionist, a woman with a practiced smile, simply shrugged.

Amelia gathered her purse, her movements stiff. The air felt thin, making it difficult to breathe. As she walked out, she could hear the receptionist's chirpy "Have a nice day!" ringing in her ears, grating on her nerves. The parking lot seemed too bright, the sun too harsh. She slammed her car door with a resounding thud.