The emergency room was packed with poverty-stricken people. Those too weak to sit were lying across the benches. A child was playing carelessly on the floor. The musty smell in the air was choking me. A woman climbed through the burglar bars to get into the hospital room, hoping to be helped faster. Coughing and loud whispers echoed through the waiting room. Hours ticked by. I looked up. I saw you. You were different – wearing the latest fashion,, reading a magazine. You pulled a cherry red lollipop from your mouth. “Why are you here? Who are you?” I wondered.

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    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    A place to be avoided as far as possible! I think a person sucking on a red lollipop would appear very different indeed to everyone else in the ER. Good job.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    2 years ago

    This is so imaginative, Marianna! I never would have thought of an emergency room, much less with a cherry lollipop. Great read!

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    Well there’s a mystery Marianna! Who couldn’t help notice such an ‘out of place’ character and wonder. Wonderfully descriptive. Well done!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    I cannot imagine a person sucking a cherry lollipop in an ER. That’s very out-of-place. I don’t know what could be my reaction if I saw someone did it in reality, maybe I can’t help myself but laugh or be irritated.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Marianna Pieterse
    2 years ago

    I can feel you, Marianna.

    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    2 years ago

    How interesting that this really happened in real life, Marianna! You have a writer’s gift for noticing the unusual and telling about it. Good read.

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    Hello again Marianna. The first thought I had was – ”Calm among the Chaos”. I know this is a true event, but the character could possibly be the writer’s subtle way of saying,(along with the lollipop) no matter the turmoil, this is the only way to survive! Any given situation, and thinking of this, how true is that statement! A hidden message don’t you think. Perhaps even a Parable?

    Daisy Blacklock
    Daisy Blacklock(@daisy-blacklock)
    2 years ago

    A nice, intriguing end to the story. It leaves me hungry for more!

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    2 years ago

    It reminds me of the expression “the eye of the storm”, with the center of something chaotic being completely still and unaffected. Now, there’s a difference! Good observation!

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