Gemotions

The flickering fluorescent lights of the waiting room buzzed, a soundtrack to Elias's unease. He watched the woman across from him, her hands twisting in her lap. The medical journal in his own hands felt heavy, the glossy pages suddenly difficult to hold. He remembered the doctor’s words: “Very, very rare.” Now, looking at her drawn face, a mirror of his own anxiety, Elias felt a strange kinship bloom in his chest.

He carefully closed the magazine and leaned forward slightly. "This is... a lot to process," he offered, his voice softer than he'd intended.

She met his gaze, her eyes red-rimmed. A faint tremor ran through her as she nodded. He imagined the exhaustion she felt. He knew how it felt.

"I’m Liam," she finally said.

"Elias," he replied. "Do you… would you like to talk? Maybe share what you are going through with this?”