Doctors
the first one
he gave me nonchalant hope
making a prediction diagnosis so he could say it was just a prediction after
all
from behind a mammoth wooden desk in his office
soccer snowglobe on the window sill
his snacks from whole foods on top of a beige metal filing cabinet
he was smug
"it's not like this is a death sentence"
with his hands held in front of him, fingertips touching fingertips
the second one
the best in the city
well, not him, but a fellow in the neurology department
she gave me a spinal tap in the exam room that holds the extra medical equipment
for the department while my partner watched
she haggled with my health over the phone
told me she knew what was best for me after struggling to remember my name
the third one
he shook my hand
and answered my questions without alarm, but with honesty
he's had brunch at the local gay bar
the one next door to the bookstore where I work
Fall 2007