Gemotions

The desert sun beat down mercilessly as Robert, struggling to pitch his tent, felt a hand on his arm. He spun around. An older woman, her face tanned and lined, was looking at the tell-tale rash on his hand. This was the first time in years he had felt the hot dry air.

"Reticular Fibroplasia?" she asked, her voice raspy from the dry heat. He simply stared at her, unable to form a response. She continued, "I was diagnosed decades ago." She ran a hand over her own arm. She then said, "Well, isn't this... amazing?"