Kiara stood holding the nurse's tray and clipboard, trying not to let her mind go numb. While all around her the doctors spoke with patients, did house calls, and administered aid, Kiara was one of the few who had nothing to do with that. Even the other assistants—who were often students—at least looked interested in what the doctors were saying.
"Kiara, take this to the pharmacist, will you?" the nurse said, handing her a slip of leaf with messy writing on it.
"Right away." It was a little better when she was acting as gopher. She took her time walking down the tunnels to the pharmacist's office. When she arrived, Francis was sitting at the counter, talking with the head pharmacist.
"Oh, hey Kiddo," Francis said with a wave. "How's doctor-life treating ya?"
"Could be worse," she shrugged. She held out the order slip for the pharmacist. "Nurse says she needs this."
The pharmacist's eyes scanned the order. "Ah, I know the patient they mean. Sit tight, I'll have that ready for you in a few minutes."
With a sigh Kiara climbed onto the stool next to Francis while the pharmacist disappeared through the back door. "How about you? Enjoying your vacation?"
"Ah yeah, it's great to see the little tykes again," Francis said. "They've all gotten so big, ya know?"
"Right yeah, the Blueberry Troop."
"So uh, I heard a bit about what happened, from Manny and Gypsy."
"Ah." Kiara winced.
"Don't worry, I'm the last person to lecture anyone about anger issues. You wouldn't believe it by looking at me, but I used to have a major temper. I definitely get why what Manny and Gypsy said probably set you off."
"Thanks."
"Really, it wasn't until I realized why I got angry so easily that I was able to start managing my temper better. What it all came down to was these deep-seated insecurities I'd developed from being misgendered all my life, and so to compensate I felt like I had to perform masculinity by being overly aggressive."
"Uh… huh." Kiara subtly began to crane her neck, looking to see if the pharmacist was coming back yet.
"Anyway, a lot of problems go deeper than the surface, and treating the symptoms instead of the illness isn't going to get anyone anywhere." He rested his elbows on the counter, peering up at Kiara. "I'm sorry about your parents getting divorced. Really, I am. But are you sure there's nothing else going on? Something deeper about the whole situation that's making it hard on you?"
"Oh my gosh," Kiara groaned, and started rubbing at her temples. "I swear, I've had it up to here with insects trying to play therapist to me."
Francis opened his mouth, when a trilling sound came from above. They all paused, looking at the ceiling and listening to the horns. The trilling repeated, again and again.
"Fire," Kiara whispered.
