The thing about doctor’s offices is that nobody in the waiting room ever wants to be there. First of all, you can pretty much count on waiting; appointments never start on time. Secondly, you’re either there because you’re sick or worried you might be sick. Sometimes, people in the waiting room are there to support their loved ones, though they are probably just as nervous as the person with the appointment. People sit still in their uncomfortable chairs, trying to hide their worry as they play with their phones, avoiding eye contact with the person next to them.
Even though most offices attempt to create a calming environment, the décor does little to relieve the restless nerves of patients. Sage walls and rows of pink, padded chairs don’t take away the impending dread of going to the doctor. Neither do the magazines casually strewn on top of the wooden end tables or the sight of young children playing with brightly colored blocks in the corner. At the doctor some people try to make casual conversation with strangers as they wait for their appointment. Elderly ladies complain to the person next to them, “My appointment was at 9:30 and it’s 10:15! Forty-five minutes to see the doctor…”
Strangers murmur in agreement. “I know. I’m only here for blood work and I’ve been waiting for half an hour! You’d think we’d get in on time, it’s seems too early for them to be this backed up.”
Everybody nods and the conversation turns to the weather. “It’s so nice outside today, such a waste to be in here…” a woman in her thirties with two young children comments. “Especially with these guys!”
More people nod in sympathy and the elderly lady says, “Such beautiful children. How old are they?”
The mother places her hand on her daughter’s blonde head. “Emma is three and Taylor is two,” she says proudly.
The elderly woman’s pale blue eyes sparkle as she repeats, “Such beautiful children...”
The wooden door opens and a nurse dressed in blue and white scrubs says, “Victoria?”
The elderly woman grabs her metal cane and slowly stands. “That’s me….finally!” she says with a smile and with her departure, conversation ceases as the others go back to playing with their phones or pretending to read magazines.
Funny how a scene that if I were actually in it would be driving me crazy with boredom, anger, and impatience actually becomes interesting in the hands of a writer who knows what's she's doing.
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