The sliding glass doors opened into an empty waiting room.

The receptionist behind the desk didn’t look up from her computer screen.

“My daughter is in severe pain,” I said.

The receptionist handed me a plastic clipboard with three sheets of paper.

“Fill out the top sheet and wait for the nurse.”

I took the clipboard and the black pen attached to it by a string.

Lily leaned heavily against my leg, gripping the fabric of my jeans.

A medical assistant opened the side door before I could write my name.