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I am in the medical clinic
new baby squeaks out a distress cry
sounds like a drowning cat
we are all masked
I forgot to wear mine in
so they slapped a pink one on me
I am the third in line

a young woman comes in and stands by door
tries to sneak to front of line
receptionist points behind me and says “go to end of line”
at least ten people are sitting in the main reception room
two inches away from each other’s chairs
many cough into their masks
germs are crawling up their legs, spilling out their eyes

Invisible baby's cries are getting louder
Someone’s phone plays a silly tune
My phone rings
It is my husband trying to face time me
in a clinic? I press the red button three times
he finally gives up and texts
something he should have done in the first place

An unseen toddler shrieks
MOMMY! MOMMY!
All the women look up
We might be smiling
Hard to say with masks which hide our humanness
tall thin young guy wearing enormous black mask walks in
looks like he is ready to pull out a pistol
if you rob a medical clinic what do you get?
I ask if I can sit in the overflow lobby where no one is sitting
I do not relish catching all these contagious diseases
these people probably have malaria and diptheria

I hear the receptionist’s voice get louder
“Sir, have you ever been here before?”
She is talking to the black mask guy
He says “no”
“Whose card is this?” she asks him.
“My wife’s, it’s a new card for me”.
Three women in scrubs walk in carrying their lunch in brown bags.
the masked guy says “Her phone number? Okay”.

For all the receptionist knows, she could be calling anybody.
She asks the person their name.
I am rolling my eyes now.
The nurses are laughing as they walk by
I want to shush them
Trying to follow the soap opera at the reception desk
It has been twelve minutes since the last patient has been taken back
the doctors are probably at lunch
We are probably all sitting here for nothing
As the main room empties out, I inch my way over there
The man who has his wife’s credit card is sitting in the chair I wanted
I try not to pout
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